Strumigenys assamensis

Identification
Bolton (2000) - A member of the Strumigenys leptothrix-group. This very distinctive species was fully characterized in the original description. It is easily separated from all other known members of the leptothrix-group by the following combination of characters in the worker.

1 Standing hairs absent from all dorsal surfaces of head and alitrunk.

2 With head in full-face view the dorsolateral margins without projecting hairs anywhere along the length.

3 Leading edge of scape and dorsal (outer) surface of middle and hind tibiae with short appressed hairs only, without long outstanding simple hairs.

4 Scape relatively very short, SI 57-60.

5 Clypeus with a low narrow median longitudinal carina, strongest posteriorly and fading out just before the anterior margin.

6 Lateral spongiform lobe of petiole large and blister-like, extending from posterior margin of node as far forward as the spiracle on the peduncle.

7 Propodeum without spines or teeth, instead with only a broad translucent lamella that runs the depth of the declivity, becoming broader basally.

8 Standing hairs on first gastral tergite confined to extreme base of the sclerite.

The habitus of assamensis makes the closest approach to the Malagasy hoplites-complex of any of the Oriental and Malesian species. However, the pronotum is marginate in assamensis and characters 1, 5, and 6 above are unique in this species, not applying to the Malagasy representatives of the group. Character 5 is unique in the whole group. Only Strumigenys euryale has a clypeal crest but it is very high, densely clothed with spatulate hairs, and confined to the anterior half of the sclerite. The dentition of assamensis is described in the introduction to the group.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: India.

Nomenclature

 *  assamensis. Strumigenys assamensis De Andrade, in Baroni Urbani & De Andrade, 1994: 61, figs. 35, 36 (w.) INDIA. Combination in Smithistruma: Bolton, 1995b: 384; in Pyramica: Bolton, 1999: 1673; in Strumigenys: Baroni Urbani & De Andrade, 2007: 115. See also: Bolton, 2000: 430.

Worker
Bolton (2000) - TL 2.7-2.8, HL 0.64-0.65, HW 0.50-0.51, CI 78-79, ML 0.12, MI 18-19, SL 0.29-0.30, SI 57-60, PW 0.26-0.27, AL 0.72-0.76 (measurements after Baroni Urbani & De Andrade, 1994).

Type Material
Holotype worker and paratype workers, INDIA: Megalaya, Cherrapunjee, 1200 m., 16.v.1976 (Wittmer & Baroni Urbani) [examined].