Strumigenys londianensis

Identification
A member of the londianensis complex in the Strumigenys rogeri -group.

Bolton (1983) - A relatively large and easily recognized species, londianensis is known only from Kenya. Together with its close relative Strumigenys sarissa, Strumigenys londianensis is characterized by its distinctive mandibular dentition, deep preocular notch and detached dye. The only species coming close to londianensis and sarissa is Strumigenys bernardi, but this is a smaller species with relatively long mandibles which lacks intercalary teeth in the apical fork. The other two are separated as follows.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Ethiopia, Kenya.

Nomenclature

 *  londianensis. Proscopomyrmex londianensis Patrizi, 1946: 295, figs. 1, 2 (w.) KENYA. Combination in Strumigenys: Arnold, 1948: 227; Brown, 1949d: 15. See also: Brown, 1954k: 14; Bolton, 1983: 377; Bolton, 2000: 602.

Worker
Bolton (1983) - TL 3.5-4.2, HL 0.84-0.92, HW 0.62-0.70, CI 74-77, ML 0.44-0.47, MI 51-52, SL 0.52-0.58, SI 82-87, PW 0.38-0.44, AL 0.82-0.94 (8 measured).

Apical fork of left mandible with a small intercalary tooth between the upper and lower fork teeth; right apical fork without an intercalary tooth. Blade of left mandible with a single spiniform preapical tooth present (the proximal); blade of right mandible with 2 pre apical teeth, a larger proximal and a smaller distal tooth which is situated close to the apical fork and may be hidden by the opposing left apical fork when the mandibles are fully closed. Upper scrobe margins not bordered by a continuous projecting lamina, close together on anterior third of head, the eyes clearly visible in full-face view. Upper scrobe margins concave immediately behind the convex frontal lobes, with a pinched-in appearance. Behind this the scrobe margins shallowly concave above the eyes and then diverging posteriorly. Preocular notch deep and strongly developed, the anterior portion of the eyes detached from the side of the head. Preocular notch continued onto the ventral surface of the head as a conspicuous broad transverse impression. Antennal scapes roughly cylindrical, very slightly broadened in the median third and with a characteristic arrangement of strong hairs projecting from the leading edge. The basalmost 1-3 (usually 2) projecting hairs are curved apically, the next 3-4 are curved basally and the distalmost 3-4 are curved apically. Ground-pilosity of head short, broadly spatulate to scale-like everywhere and curved anteriorly. In profile the vertex usually with a single pair of stout standing hairs which are weakly clavate, but these are easily lost by abrasion. Dorsum of head reticulate-punctate. Pronotal humeri each with along stout straight hair which is remiform to weakly clavate apically. Mesonotum with a single pair of shorter stout straight hairs which are somewhat more strongly clavate apically; the dorsal alitrunk otherwise without standing pilosity but with sparse narrowly spatulate appressed ground-pilosity. In profile the posterior portion of the mesonotum sharply depressed below the level of the anterior portion and pronotum, forming a single surface with the propodeum. Metanotal groove absent. Propodeum without differentiated angular teeth, instead the infradental lamellae merely bulge slightly and form blunt angles dorsally. Sides of alitrunk mostly punctate but with some smooth shining areas on the pleurae. Dorsal alitrunk predominantly punctate but the pronotum generally with a few posteriorly divergent rugulae superimposed on the punctures. Petiole node weakly punctulate dorsally, the postpetiole generally smooth but sometimes with the weakest vestiges of punctulate sculpture visible Spongiform appendages of petiole represented by a thin ventral strip and a narrow posterior collar on the node. Postpetiole in profile with moderately well-developed ventral and lateral spongiform lobes and in dorsal view with a very narrow anterior and posterior spongiform strip. Basigastral costulae short and sparse, radiating from the narrow basal spongiform strip of the first tergite. Petiole, postpetiole and gaster dorsally with stout strong hairs which are clavate apically. Colour light brown, gaster darker.

Type Material
Bolton (1983) - Syntype workers, KENYA: Londiani, q. 2260 m.s.m., 4.ix.1943 (S. Patrizi); and Mau Forest, 16.i.1946 (Meneghetti) [examined].