Strumigenys mormo

Identification
Bolton (2000) - The distribution of orbicular hairs on the head of mormo is quite different from that seen in Strumigenys roomi. In mormo there is a transverse band of 2-3 rows of orbiculars immediately behind the clypeus between the frontal lobes. Behind this there are 1-2 pairs close to the dorsal midline that are flanked by a bald patch of depressed cuticle that extends out to the lateral margin on each side. Posterior to this, across the broadest part of the head, is another band of 3 transverse rows of orbicular hairs. In roomi the area immediately behind the clypeus and between the frontal lobes does not have orbicular hairs, only minute appressed spatulate hairs. An oblique row of orbiculars parallels the upper scrobe margin on each side, commencing some distance behind the frontal lobes, and behind this is a transverse band of three rows of similar hairs.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Democratic Republic of Congo.

Nomenclature

 *  mormo. Pyramica mormo Bolton, 2000: 290 (w.) DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO. Combination in Strumigenys: Baroni Urbani & De Andrade, 2007: 124

Worker
Holotype. 2.2, HL 0.52, HW 0.64, CI 123, ML 0.24, MI 46, SL 0.31, SI 48, PW 0.39, AL 0.58. Closely related to Strumigenys roomi and Strumigenys anorbicula, and like those species having the apicodorsal mandibular tooth very long and spiniform, a feature not developed in other Afrotropical species of the group. S. anorbicula is easily isolated as it lacks cephalic orbicular hairs and has several other isolating characters (see there). Workers of the other two differ as follows.

S. mormo: Distal half of mandible with two small preapical teeth. Two specialised hairs arising on dorsal mandible in distal half are long, fine and narrow. Orbicular hairs present on dorsum of head immediately behind posterior clypeal margin. Cephalic dorsum behind upper scrobe margin depressed on each side, the depressed areas without orbicular hairs. Large hairs on leading edge of scape not strongly inclined toward the apex of the subbasal lobe. Larger species with longer mandibles, HL 0.52, MI 46.

Strumigenys roomi: Distal half of mandible with a single preapical tooth. Two specialised hairs arising on dorsal mandible in distal half are short, broad and flattened. Small spatulate hairs present on dorsum of head immediately behind posterior clypeal margin. Cephalic dorsum behind upper scrobe margin not depressed, orbicular hairs forming a continuous transverse arch. Large hairs on leading edge of scape strongly inclined toward the apex of the subbasal lobe. Smaller species with shorter mandibles, HL 0.42-0.47, MI 35-38.

Type Material
Holotype worker, Zaire (“Congo Belge” on data label): no exact locality, 10 5 (H. Franz).