Strumigenys splendens

Identification
Bolton (2000) - S. splendens stands out as the most generalised species in the group, being easily characterised by its lack of specialised features: no strange specialisations of the clypeus, no concealment of preocular carinae, no marked shortening of scapes, no pronotal margination, no flagellate hairs, no projecting tibial hairs. It looks like, and may very well be, the sister of all the other species in the group.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Argentina, Brazil.

Nomenclature

 *  splendens. Gymnomyrmex splendens Borgmeier, 1954b: 279, figs. 1-6 (w.) BRAZIL. Kempf, 1959d: 339 (q.). Combination in Pyramica: Bolton, 1999: 1672; in Strumigenys: Baroni Urbani & De Andrade, 2007: 128. See also: Bolton, 2000: 236.

Worker
Bolton (2000) - TL 2.4 - 2.6, HL 0.63-0.68, HW 0.39-0.43, CI 61-63, ML 0.09-0.10, MI 14-15, SL 0.30-0.32, SI 72-80, PW 0.25-0.27, AL 0.68-0.70 (4 measured).

With head in full-face view clypeus not expanded laterally, outer margins of mandibles visible almost to level of preocular carinae. Frontal lobes and frontal carinae not strongly expanded laterally, in full-face view the preocular carinae fully exposed and the outer curvature of the eye visible. With mandibles at full closure exposed length of basal lamella only fractionally less than length of tooth row. Dorsum of head smooth and shining except for fine sculpture on upper scrobe margins. Dorsolateral margins of head and pronotal humeri without projecting hairs of any form. Dorsal surfaces of head and alitrunk without hairs but short fine hairs present on waist segments and near base of first gastral tergite. Dorsal (outer) surfaces of middle and hind tibiae with minute appressed pubescence only. Pronotum without trace of lateral margination, evenly transversely convex and unsculptured. Propodeal dorsum feebly, petiole node more strongly, reticulate-punctate.

Type Material
Bolton (2000) - Holotype worker, BRAZIL: Santa Catarina, Nova Teutonia, 300-500 m, x.1953 (F. Plaumann) [examined].