Strumigenys lucomo

A common, widespread Madagascar Strumigenys. This ant has been found in a wide range of forest habitats and has been collected nesting in the soil, in litter samples, in rotten wood and in dead twigs above the ground.

Identification
Bolton (2000) - A member of the scotti complex in the Strumigenys scotti-group. S. lucomo and Strumigenys lura form a pair of closely related species within the scotti-complex. They both have the dorsum of pronotum with one or more pairs of erect hairs in addition to a flagellate pair at humeral angles, mesonotum with 2 or 3 pairs of erect hairs, and the ventral spongiform tissue of petiolar peduncle in profile an irregular, narrow strip along the base of the peduncle.

S. lucomo can be distinguished from lura by the presence of a ventrally directed triangular tooth at the anterior end of the ventral spongiform lamella of petiolar peduncle when viewed in profile. In profile anterior end of ventral spongiform lamella of petiolar peduncle of lura is at most small and rounded. In addition, the lamella on the propodeal declivity of lucomo is narrow but conspicuous and continuous down the declivity while in lura the lamella is inconspicuous. See also under Strumigenys glycon.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Malagasy Region: Madagascar.

Nomenclature

 *  lucomo. Strumigenys lucomo Fisher, in Bolton, 2000: 688 (w.q.) MADAGASCAR.

Measurements of non-type worker specimens extend the range shown by the types-series: HL 0.46-0.49, HW 0.37-0.40, ML 0.21-0.24, MI 45-49, SL 0.26-0.31, SI 68-82 (7 measured). Specimens examined from localities other than Isoky-Vohimena lack the central short costulae at the base of the first gastral tergite and have a central clear area. In addition, specimens from Ankarana and Lokobe differ in having slightly thinner mandibles in profile and having only 2 pairs of hairs on the mesonotum but otherwise are similar to the type material. Their placement in lucomo is tentative and must be reassessed when additional collections from the west of Madagascar are made available.

Worker
Holotype. TL 2.3, HL 0.52, HW 0.43, CI 83, ML 0.22, MI 42, SL 0.29, SI 67, PW 0.27, AL 0.56. Characters of scotti-complex. Mandibles in full-face view short, outer margins shallowly and evenly convex, sharply narrowed at base. Upper scrobe margin evenly and shallowly convex in full-face view, not bordered by a rim or flange, the eyes visible. Maximum diameter of eye approximately equal to maximum width of scape, with 3-4 ommatidia in longest row. Scape subcylindrical, curved and narrowed near base; hairs on leading edge slender, slightly flattened or spoon-shaped apically. Cephalic dorsum densely clothed with short, slender filiform ground-pilosity which are thickened apically. The upper scrobe margin fringed with sharply curved hairs which are flattened or spoon-shaped apically and are similar in size to those on the leading edge of the scape. Cephalic dorsum with 6 standing filiform hairs arranged in a transverse row of 4 close to the occipital margin and a more anteriorly situated pair. Pronotal humeral hair flagellate, dorsum also with one or more pairs of short suberect or erect hairs. Mesonotum with three pairs of hairs: a pair of standing filiform to narrowly remiform hairs on anterior margin, a shorter more posteriorly situated pair of erect filiform hairs, and an even shorter pair of erect fine hairs on posterior margin. Hairs on promesonotal dorsum appear easily abraded and are broken or missing in many of the paratypes. Propodeum with one pair of short, fine, posteriorly curved hairs immediately anterior of propodeal spines. Ground-pilosity as on head but the hairs are sparser. Dorsum of alitrunk in outline convex anteriorly and posteriorly shallowly convex and gently sloping to the declivity. Metanotal groove shallowly impressed. Anterior mesonotum without a conspicuous carina above the mesothoracic spiracle; mesopleural gland set in a small circular notch. Propodeal tooth triangular, lamellate, pointed apically, and subtended by a narrow lamella that is continuous down the declivity. Pronotal dorsum and sides longitudinally rugulose-striolate; mesonotal and propodeal dorsa reticulate-punctate. Sides of pleurae and propodeum smooth and peripherally punctulate. Postpetiole disc more or less smooth, faintly longitudinally striolate laterally. In profile ventral spongiform tissue of petiolar peduncle a narrow irregular strip along the base of the peduncle and with a ventrally directed narrow triangular spiniform tooth at anterior end, the deepest point of the curtain (excluding tooth) less than the maximum width of eye. Ventral spongiform tissue of postpetiole moderately developed. Basigastral costulae well developed and sharply defined, radiating on each side of a central area that includes shorter less developed costulae. Dorsal surface of petiole, postpetiole, and gaster with standing filiform hairs which are slightly thickened apically. Colour light brown.

Paratypes. TL 2.0-2.3, HL 0.49-0.52, HW 0.38-0.43, CI 75-85, ML 0.22-0.23, MI 43-45, SL 0.27-0.29, SI 66-75, PW 0.24-0.29, AL 0.50-0.58 (8 measured). As holotype.

Type Material
Holotype worker, Madagascar: Provo Toliara, southern Isoky-Vohimena Forest, 59 km. NE Sakaraha, 22°41'S, 44°50'E, 730 m., 21.i.1996, sifted litter (leaf mold, rotten wood) tropical dry forest #1312 (50)-1 (S. Razafimandimby & B. L. Fisher).

Paratypes. 17 workers and 1 queen (dealate) with same data as holotype but coded (1)-5, (2)-2, (3)-3, (4)-4, (5)-4, (6)-5, (18)-4, (22)-2, (24)-3, (26)-2, (29)-2, (35)-4, (36)-3, (40)-1, (48)-2.