Strumigenys sytaria

Identification
Bolton (2000) - A member of the signeae complex in the Strumigenys godeffroyi-group. Closely related to Strumigenys valefor and with a very similarly developed crest on the inner mandibular margin. Apart from having the metapleuron and side of propodeum punctate (smooth in valefor), sytaria differs from vale/or as the former lacks stiffly elevated hairs on the hind femur, has a narrow lamella on the propodeal declivity, has the pronotal dorsum densely punctate and lacks an anteromedian pair of short erect hairs on the pronotal dorsum. See notes under Strumigenys mocsaryi.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Indo-Australian Region: Borneo, Indonesia, Malaysia.

Nomenclature

 *  sytaria. Strumigenys sytaria Bolton, 2000: 829 (w.q.) BORNEO.

Worker
Holotype. TL 2.8, HL 0.77, HW 0.57, CI 74, ML 0.38, MI 49, SL 0.42, SI 74, PW 0.32, AL 0.74. Characters of signeae-complex. Inner margin of mandible with a very narrow cuticular crest that extends from base but peters out proximally well before level of preapical tooth; this crest no more than a minute rim or carina and at its broadest no more than a tiny fraction of the width of the mandible. Apicoscrobal hair stiff; dorsolateral margin of head posterior to this with 3-4 similar but shorter projecting hairs. Cephalic dorsum with a transverse row of 4-6 erect hairs at occipital margin; without standing hairs anterior to this. Pronotal humeral hair stiff and simple; pronotal dorsum otherwise without erect hairs. Mesonotum with 3 conspicuous pairs of erect simple to weakly remiform hairs, the anterior pair the longest. Entire dorsal alitrunk finely punctulate to reticulate-punctulate. Katepisternum mostly smooth but side of alitrunk otherwise entirely reticulate-punctate. Lamella on propodeal declivity narrow, its posterior (free) margin usually concave. Petiole node in dorsal view broader than long, reticulate-punctate. In profile lateral spongiform lobe of petiole small, confined to posterolateral portion of node; height of anterior face of node less than length of dorsum. Disc of postpetiole finely evenly superficially punctulate (variable, see under paratypes). First gastral tergite with simple standing hairs. Basigastral costulae shorter than disc of postpetiole.

Paratypes. TL 2.6-2.8, HL 0.73-0.78, HW 0.53-0.57, CI 73-75, ML 0.34-0.38, MI 46-49, SL 0.39-0.43, SI 72-78, PW 0.29-0.32, AL 0.70-0.74 (6 measured). As holotype but density and intensity of sculpture on postpetiole disc varying from almost entirely smooth to completely finely punctulate, and in some with weak longitudinal costulae also apparent.

Type Material
Holotype worker, Malaysia: Sabah, Crocker Ra., 17.v.1987, 1350 m., no. 28a (Burckhardt & Lobl).

Paratypes. 5 workers with same data as holotype; 4 workers and 1 queen with same locality but 19.v.1987, 1200 m., no. 31a; 3 workers, Sabah, Crocker Ra. N. P., K. K. -Tambunan km. 60, 17.v.0987, 1270 m., no. 29a (Burckhardt & Lobl); 7 workers, Sabah, Mt Kinabalu, 24.v. 1 987, 1 140 m., no. 40 (Burckhardt & Lobl) (MHNG,, ).