Strumigenys subedentata

Identification
Bolton (2000) - Within the gundlachi-complex four species (Strumigenys connectens, Strumigenys decipula, subedentata, Strumigenys trieces) share the following characters.

1 Mandibles relatively stout, MI 43 - 56. In full-face view the mandibles broaden markedly near the midlength. The inner margins are strongly convex and touch at the point of maximum convexity when the mandibles are fully closed; proximally and distally of this point the inner margins diverge, leaving distinct spaces between the mandibles.

2 Between the apicodorsal and apicoventral teeth of the apical fork are 2 - 3 minute intercalary denticles that arise from the space between the two teeth.

3 Preapical teeth or denticles are restricted to the distal third of the mandible, are 3 - 7 in number and may be conspicuous or minute and difficult to see.

4 Flagellate hairs are absent; hairs on the leading edge of the scape are coarse and broad , flattened or spoon-shaped.

5 Postpetiole is always densely reticulate-punctate.

Of the four species decipula lacks standing hairs anywhere on the dorsal surfaces of the head and alitrunk (abundant reclinate short spatulate ground-pilosity is present), and has a very broadly lobate short scape. In subedentata paired stout standing hairs are very conspicuous on the dorsal alitrunk, where 4 - 5 pairs are obvious, and at least the base of the first gastral sternite is strongly sculptured. Both connectens and trieces have a single, mesonotal, pair of standing hairs, have the first gastral sternite smooth basally, and lack a prominent lobe on the scape; the characters noted in the key will separate these two species.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Argentina, Belize, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela.

Nomenclature

 *  subedentata. Strumigenys subedentata Mayr, 1887: 575 (w.) BRAZIL. Brown, 1960b: 49 (q.m.). Combination in Pyramica: Bolton, 1999: 1673; in Strumigenys: Baroni Urbani & De Andrade, 2007: 128. Senior synonym of clavata, tristani: Brown, 1960b: 48; of kiranae: Bolton, Sosa-Calvo, et al. 2008: 62. See also: Bolton, 2000: 193.
 * tristani. Strumigenys tristani Menozzi, 1931b: 273, fig. 8 (w.) COSTA RICA. Junior synonym of subedentata: Brown, 1960b: 48.
 * clavata. Strumigenys (Strumigenys) clavata Weber, 1934a: 32, fig. 8 (w.) GUATEMALA. Junior synonym of subedentata: Brown, 1960b: 48.
 * kiranae. Pyramica kiranae Makhan, 2007a: 4, figs. 7, 8 (w.) SURINAM. Junior synonym of subedentata: Bolton, Sosa-Calvo, et al. 2008: 62.

Worker
Bolton (2000) - TL 1.9-2.4, HL 0.48-0.57, HW 0.40-0.47, CI 82-87, ML 0.26-0.30, MI 49-54, SL 0.23-0.28, SI 55-60, PW 0.24-0.32, AL 0.47-0.60 (20 measured). Characters of gundlachi-complex. Inner margins of mandibles strongly convex in full-face view, at full closure touching at about the midlength and diverging both proximally and distally. Apex of mandible with 2 minute intercalary denticles between apicodorsal and apicoventral teeth. Preapical denticles restricted to distal third or less of mandible, 4 – 7 (usually 5) in number and minute; distal most denticle the largest, located close to the apicodorsal tooth. Scape relatively slender, its anterior margin convex but not expanded forward into a large convex lobe; SL more than 4 times the maximum scape width. Eye moderate, with 5 - 7 ommatidia in the longest row. Metanotal groove distinct. Spongiform lobes of postpetiole small but obviously present; base of first gastral sternite usually without spongiform tissue. Apicoscrobal hair short and stout, remiform or flattened and expanded apically; a similar hair present at pronotal humerus. Dorsum of head with conspicuous curved spatulate ground-pilosity and with 2 pairs of longer, somewhat stouter, more erect hairs; one pair close to occipital margin, the other close to highest point of vertex. Promesonotal dorsum with coarse curved spatulate ground-pilosity and with 4 – 5 pairs of weakly curved stout standing hairs that are clavate or flattened and expanded apically. Entirety of head, ali trunk and waist segments reticulate-punctate; often a small clear patch on katepisternum. At least base of first gastral sternite reticulate to reticulate-punctate, frequently the sculpture more extensive. First gastral tergite reticulate, reticulate-punctate or even finely longitudinally costulate on the basal third to half; the sculpture sometimes extends to the apex of the sclerite.

Type Material
Syntype workers, BRAZIL: Santa Catarina (Hetsclw) (examined).

Strumigenys tristani Menozzi, 1931: 273, fig. 8. Syntype workers, COSTA RICA: Orijuaco (F. I. Tristan) (BMNH) (examined).

Strumigenys (Strumigenys) clavata Weber, 1934a:32, fig. 8. Syntype workers, GUATEMALA: Alta V. Paz, Cacao Trece Aguas (Schwarz & Barber) (not seen).

Additional References

 * Baroni Urbani, C. & De Andrade, M.L. 2007. The ant tribe Dacetini: limits and constituent genera, with descriptions of new species. Annali del Museo Civico di Storia Naturale “G. Doria” 99: 1-191.