Strumigenys tathula

The few collections of this species have been from grassland habitat, with one noted as being taken from in a pitfall trap.

Identification
A member of the Strumigenys mutica-group.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Malagasy Region: Madagascar.

Nomenclature

 *  tathula. Pyramica tathula Bolton, 2000: 352 (w.q.m.) MADAGASCAR. Combination in Strumigenys: Baroni Urbani & De Andrade, 2007: 129

Worker
Holotype. TL 1.8, HL 0.46, HW 0.37, CI 80, ML 0.14, MI 30, SL 0.28, SI 76, PW 0.27, AL 0.48. Answering to the description of Strumigenys erynnes but differing as follows.

1 Propodeum armed with a pair of triangular teeth, each subtended by a narrow lamella down the declivity.

2 First gastral tergite with about a dozen suberect short remiform hairs, arranged in rows over the whole sclerite (rather than being restricted to an apical pair and a basal pair).

3 Averaging smaller than erynnes and with somewhat shorter scapes (compare measurements).

Paratypes. TL 1.8-2.0, HL 0.44-0.52, HW 0.37- 0.41, CI 79-84, ML 0.13-0.15, MI 26-30, SL 0.28-0.32, SI 76-80, PW 0.26-0.60, AL 0.47-0.54 (4 measured).

Type Material
Holotype worker, Madagascar: Prov. Fianarantsoa, 28 km. SSW Ambositra, Ankazomivady, 1670 m., 11.i.1998, 20 °46.5'S, 47°10.1'E, #1620(31)-1, sifted litter, grassland (B.L. Fisher).

Paratypes. 1 worker with same data as holotype; 1 worker, 1 queen and 1 male with same data but #1620(37)-7; 2 workers and 2 queens with same data but #1620(17)-9 (BMNH,, in coll. Fisher (where there are also some specimens in alcohol)).