Strumigenys deinomastax

Identification
Bolton (2000) - A member of the Strumigenys appretiata-group. Easily recognised within the group as this is the only species to lack any form of hair at the pronotal humeri and on the mesonotum, and to have the first gastral tergite covered with fine reticular patterning.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Brazil.

Nomenclature

 *  deinomastax. Pyramica deinomastax Bolton, 2000: 160, figs. 124, 185 (w.) BRAZIL. Combination in Strumigenys: Baroni Urbani & De Andrade, 2007: 118

Worker
Holotype. TL 2.1, HL 0.64, HW 0.60, CI 94, ML 0.12, MI 19, SL 0.24, SI 40, PW 0.28, AL 0.56. Pronotal humeral hair absent. Promesonotum weakly marginate dorsolaterally, the dorsum with feeble scattered longitudinal rugulae. Mesonotum without standing hairs. Propodeal dorsum unsculptured but upper half of declivity feebly reticulate-punctate. Propodeal spines acutely triangular, broad basally and nearly as long as the dorsal surface of the petiole node. In profile height of anterior face of petiole node less than its dorsal length. Anterodorsal angle of node acute and in profile slightly overhanging the anterior face of the node. Ventral spongiform lobe of postpetiole relatively large and with a broadly convex free ventral margin in profile, but overhung by the large lateral lobe so that the ventral lobe is not visible in dorsal view. Petiole node in dorsal view as broad as long, with a sharply marginate anterior border. Lateral spongiform lobes of petiole narrow, arising on posterior two-thirds of each side and strongly projecting laterally. Sides of postpetiole completely enclosed by the extensive lateral spongiform lobes. Postpetiolar disc smooth, broader in front than behind and with its anterior margin shallowly concave. Basigastral costulae sparse and very short. First gastral tergite with fine superficial reticular patterning and with only two pairs of hairs, one pair laterobasally and the other close to the apex of the sclerite. These hairs are short and simple, suberect to erect and apparently easily lost by abrasion.

Paratypes. TL 2.0-2.2, HL 0.60-0.67, HW 0.58-0.66, CI 95-97, ML 0.11-0.12, MI 18-19, SL 0.22-0.24, SI 36-40, PW 0.26-0.28, AL 0.54-0.60 (5 measured). As holotype but sculpture on promesonotum may be effaced or absent, leaving the surface smooth and shining.

Type Material
Holotype worker, Brazil: Amazonas, Manaus, Colosso, 52 m., l.iii.1994, #279 (R. Didham).

Paratypes. 3 workers with same data but 27.i.1994, #96, two workers with same data but 5.iii.1994, #324 (INPA,, ).