Strumigenys ravola

The holotype worker, the only known specimen of this species, was found foraging on the ground in rainforest.

Identification
Bolton (2000) - A member of the scotti complex in the Strumigenys scotti-group. S. ravola is distinguished from other species in the scotti-complex by having the cephalic dorsum reticulate-punctate with superimposed longitudinal or oblique rugulae, the top surface of the rugulae with a beaded appearance d u e to the presence of aligned punctulation. See Strumigenys langrandi for further discussion.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Malagasy Region: Madagascar.

Nomenclature

 *  ravola. Strumigenys ravola Fisher, in Bolton, 2000: 693 (w.) MADAGASCAR.

Worker
Holotype. TL 2.3, HL 0.54, HW 0.44, CI 81, ML 0.22, MI 41, SL 0.33, SI 76, PW 0.28, AL 0.56. Characters of scotti-complex. Mandibles in full-face view with outer margins shallowly and evenly convex, the width gradually decreasing from near the base to the apicodorsal tooth. Upper scrobe margin evenly and shallowly convex in full-face view, not bordered by a rim or flange. Eyes small, not visible in full-face view; maximum diameter of eye less than maximum width of scape, with 2-3 ommatidia in longest row. Scape short and stout, shallowly and gently curved; hairs on leading edge spatulate or spoon-shaped. Cephalic dorsum densely clothed with curved narrow spatulate to spoon-shaped ground-pilosity, the upper scrobe margin fringed with hairs which are the same shape and size as those on the dorsum. Cephalic dorsum with 6 clavate standing hairs arranged in a transverse row of 4 close to the occipital margin and a more anteriorly situated pair. Reticulate-punctate sculpture of cephalic dorsum with superimposed longitudinal or oblique rugulae; the top surface of the rugulae with a beaded appearance due to the presence of aligned punctulation. Pronotal humeral hair flagellate. Mesonotum with 2 pair of erect clavate hairs. Propodeum with 2 pairs of short, fine, posteriorly curved hairs immediately anterior of propodeal spines. Dorsal alitrunk with ground-pilosity as on head. Dorsum of alitrunk in outline more or less flat. Anterior mesonotum with a narrow carina above mesothoracic spiracle. Propodeal tooth broadly triangular, lamellate, pointed apically, subtended by a moderate lamella. Alitrunk dorsum and sides of pronotum densely reticulate-punctate, dorsal pronotum also with short rugulose sculpture. Pleurae mostly smooth and shiny with reticulate-punctate sculpture peripherally. Postpetiole disc smooth and shining. In profile the petiole with a straight ventral spongiform strip, its depth approximately equal to maximum diameter of eye. Postpetiole with moderately developed ventral and lateral spongiform lobes. Basigastral costulae arising on each side of a narrow, central clear area. Dorsal surfaces of petiole, postpetiole and gaster with standing clavate to remiform hairs. First gastral sternite, including anterior half, with numerous short suberect filiform hairs. Colour light brown.

Type Material
Holotype worker, Madagascar: Provo Toamasina, P. N. Mantadia, 18°47.5'S, 48°25.6'E, 895 m., 25.xi.-1.xii.1998, ground forager(s), rainforest, #25-2 (H. J. Ratsirarson).

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Bolton, B. 2000. The Ant Tribe Dacetini. Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute 65
 * Fisher B. L. 2003. Formicidae, ants. Pp. 811-819 in: Goodman, S. M.; Benstead, J. P. (eds.) 2003. The natural history of Madagascar. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, xxi + 1709 pp.