Strumigenys phasma

Identification
Bolton (2000) - A member of the Strumigenys capitata-group. Among the six small species of this group which have HW 0.50 or less and have stout, non-flagellate, hairs in the apicoscrobal position and at the pronotal humeri (Strumigenys charybdis, Strumigenys epipola, phasma, Strumigenys tethys, Strumigenys themis, Strumigenys trauma), phasma is isolated by its broad head (CI > 90) and strangely shaped alitrunk.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Indo-Australian Region: New Guinea.

Nomenclature

 *  phasma. Pyramica phasma Bolton, 2000: 403 (w.q.m.) NEW GUINEA. Combination in Strumigenys: Baroni Urbani & De Andrade, 2007: 126

Worker
Holotype. TL 2.0, HL 0.54, HW 0.49, CI 91, ML 0.12, MI 22, SL 0.27, SI 55, PW 0.34, AL 0.58. Apicoscrobal hair stout, thickened to subclavate apically. Pronotal humeral hair stout, remiform. Dorsum of head with a transverse row of 4 stout standing hairs close to occipital margin and with a pair just in front of highest point of vertex. Mesonotum with 2 pairs of stout standing hairs, the posterior pair easily the longest. Petiole node with 1 pair and postpetiole disc with 3 pairs of stout standing hairs; similar hairs numerous on first gastral tergite, all weakly remiform or thickened apically. Dorsum of alitrunk and petiole node reticulate-punctate; postpetiole and gaster behind costulae glassy smooth. Most of mesopleuron and metapleuron smooth, remainder of alitrunk side reticulate-punctate. Alitrunk short and stocky (see key for dimensions), its dorsum in profile weakly convex and sloping evenly downward posteriorly from the anteriormost point of the mesonotum to the propodeal tooth. There is no change of slope between mesonotum and propodeum, the metanotal groove is not impressed and the mesonotum and propodeum do not form separate convexities. Petiole node in dorsal view broader than long, in profile its dorsum shallowly convex. Disc of postpetiole much broader than long, its sides strongly divergent to level of first pair of stout hairs and strongly convergent behind this level. Lateral spongiform lobe and ventral strip of petiole well developed. In profile the spongiform pad on first gastral sternite thick and extending posteriorly for some distance down the midlength of the sclerite.

Paratypes. TL 1.9- 2.0, HL 0.52-0.54, HW 0.48-0.50, CI 91-94, ML 0.10-0.12, MI 19-22, SL 0.24-0.27, SI 50-55, PW 0.32-0.35, AL 0.56-0.60 (6 measured).

Type Material
Holotype worker, Papua New Guinea: 11 km. E Baiyer R. Sanet., 5°30'S, 144°16'E, 2000 m., 23.vi.1980, ex rotten log, montane rainforest, #4550 (P. S. Ward).

Paratypes. 2 workers, 1 queen, 1 male with same data as holotype; 2 workers, 1 queen with same data but 1900 m., 24.vi.1980, #4567; 1 worker with same data as last but #4551 (BMNH,, , ).