Strumigenys carolinae

A forest species that has been found in litter samples.

Identification
Bolton (2000) - A member of the sylvaini complex in the Strumigenys dexis-group. S. carolinae is immediately separated from all other members of the group by its unique possession of: 1. Rounded pronotal humeri. 2. Dense reticulate-punctate to reticulate-granulate sculpture present on the dorsum of the head but absent from promesonotum.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Malagasy Region: Madagascar.

Nomenclature

 *  carolinae. Strumigenys carolinae Fisher, in Bolton, 2000: 640 (w.q.) MADAGASCAR.

Worker
Holotype. TL 2.2, HL 0.55, HW 0.47, CI 85, ML 0.17, MI 31, SL 0.26, SI 56, PW 0.27, AL 0.57. Characters of sylvaini-complex. Entire dorsum of head blanketed with fine, dense reticulate-punctate to reticulate-granulate sculpture. Clypeal dorsum with short, anteriorly-directed spatulate hairs. Spoon-shaped hairs are numerous on the dorsal surfaces of the occipital lobes, but they are absent from the median posterodorsal area of the head and from immediately behind clypeus. There are no standing hairs of any description on the head, alitrunk, postpetiole or first gastral tergite. Eye conspicuous, with 4-5 ommatidia in the longest row. Promesonotal dorsum mostly smooth. Pronotal humeri rounded. Mesopleural gland large and circular. Petiole node broader than long in dorsal view, and with several pairs of posteriorly curved decumbent spatulate hairs. Disc of postpetiole completely surrounded by spongiform tissue; disc with a mostly smooth dorsal disk. Basigastral costulae moderately developed, extending for some distance onto the first gastral tergite.

Paratype. TL 2.2-2.4, HL 0.55-0.58, HW 0.46-0.49, CI 81-87, ML 0.16-0.18, MI 29-32, SL 0.26-0.27, SI 55-57, PW 0.26-0.30, AL 0.55-0.62 (4 measured). As holotype.

Measurements of this material extends the range shown by the type-series: HL 0.58-0.65, HW 0.46-0.52, CI 79-83, ML 0.18-0.21, MI 30-33, SL 0.28-0.30, SI 56-59 (6 measured).

Type Material
Holotype worker, Madagascar: Provo Antsiranana, R. S. Manongarivo, 10.8 km. 229°SW Antanambao, 400 m. 13°57.7'S, 48°26.0'E, 8.xi.1998, sifted itter (leaf mold, rotten wood), rainforest #1996 (40)-2 (B. L. Fisher).

Paratypes. 36 workers and 3 queens (dealate) with same data as holotype but coded (13)-1, (18)-1, (32)-1, (35)-1, (35)-2, (35)-3, (38)-1, (38)-2, (42)-2, (44)-4, (45)-1, (46)-1, (46)-2, (49)-1, (50)-6, (51)-1, (55)-2, (56)-7, (70)-2.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Bolton, B. 2000. The Ant Tribe Dacetini. Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute 65
 * Fisher B. L. 2003. Formicidae, ants. Pp. 811-819 in: Goodman, S. M.; Benstead, J. P. (eds.) 2003. The natural history of Madagascar. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, xxi + 1709 pp.
 * Fisher, B. 2002. Ant diversity patterns along an elevational gradient in the Reserve Speciale de Manongarivo, Madagascar. in Gautier, L. and S.M. Goodman, editors, Inventaire Florestique et Faunistique de la Reserve Speciale de Manongarivo (NW Madagascar)