Strumigenys lexex

Known mostly from rainforest litter-sample collections.

Identification
Bolton (2000) - A member of the scotti complex in the Strumigenys scotti-group. S. lexex and Strumigenys livens are distinguished from other members of the scotti-complex by having: pronotum without erect hairs except for flagellate humeral hairs, 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. lexex is distinguished from livens and from other members of the scotti-complex by the presence of appressed fine hairs on the lateral margins of first gastral tergite. In addition, the postpetiole has numerous hairs of variable length in lexex while livens has three pairs of erects hairs of similar length. See also under Strumigenys glycon for further discussion.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Uganda. Malagasy Region: Madagascar.

Nomenclature

 *  lexex. Strumigenys lexex Fisher, in Bolton, 2000: 687 (w.) MADAGASCAR.

Worker
Holotype. TL 2.1, HL 0.47, HW 0.34, CI 73, ML 0.25, MI 53, SL 0.31, SI 89, PW 0.24, AL 0.51. Characters of scotti-complex. Mandibles short and in full-face view bowed outwards, outer margins evenly convex and width greatest at midlength. Upper scrobe margin shallowly concave immediately behind the frontal lobe; posteriorly 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 the base; hairs on leading edge appressed, fine filiform. Cephalic dorsum densely clothed with curved narrow filiform ground-pilosity that is longer and more conspicuous than hairs on leading edge of scape. Upper scrobe margin fringed with hairs which are similar in shape and size as those on the dorsum. Cephalic dorsum with 6 standing narrow filiform hairs arranged in a transverse row of 4 close to the occipital margin and a more anteriorly situated pair. Pronotal humeral hair flagellate. Mesonotum with a pair of standing narrow remiform hairs on anterior margin and a shorter more posteriorly situated pair of erect filiform hairs (some paratypes with 2 posterior pairs). Propodeum with one pair of short, fine, posteriorly curved hairs immediately anterior of propodeal spines. Dorsal promesonotum with ground pilosity that is similar in size and shape as on cephalic dorsum. Dorsum of alitrunk in outline convex anteriorly and posteriorly gently sloping to the declivity. Metanotal groove shallowly impressed. Anterior mesonotum with a thin carina above the mesothoracic spiracle; mesopleural gland set in a small circular notch. Propodeal tooth triangular, pointed apically and subtended by an inconspicuous, very narrow lamella. Promesonotal dorsum rugulose to reticulate-punctate. Propodeal dorsum superficially areolate. Sides of pronotum punctuate to faintly punctulate. Pleurae and sides of propodeum glassy smooth, punctate peripherally. Postpetiole disc with faint fine punctulate sculpture. In profile ventral spongiform tissue of petiolar peduncle an irregular, narrow strip along base of the peduncle, its deepest point less than maximum width of eye. Ventral spongiform tissue of postpetiole moderately developed. Basigastral costulae long and sharply defined, radiating on each side of a broad central clear area. Dorsal surface of petiole, postpetiole and gaster with numerous standing filiform hairs which are slightly thickened apically. Lateral margins of first gastral tergite with appressed fine hairs. Colour light brown.

Paratypes. TL 1.9-2.1, HL 0.44-0.48, HW 0.34-0.36, CI 73-81, ML 0.25-0.27, MI 53-58, SL 0.29-0.31, SI 81-90, PW 0.22-0.25, AL 0.48-0.51 (7 measured). As holotype.

Measurements of the non-paratypic specimen slightly extend the range of the types-series, HW 0.33, CI 72, hut otherwise match the types in all diagnostic characters.

Type Material
Holotype worker, Madagascar: 6.9 km. NE Amhanizana, 15°34'S, 50°00'E, 825 m., 2.xii.1993, sifted litter (leaf mold, rotten wood), rainforest, 11976 (15)-11 (B. L. Fisher).

Paratypes. 1 worker with same data as holotype; 6 workers with same data as holotype but coded (10)-9, (21)-14, (25)-12, (31)-12.