Strumigenys epinotalis

Identification
Bolton (2000) - A member of the Strumigenys schulzi-group. A very distinctive small species that is immediately characterised by its dentition and pilosity. Unlike most species in this group the postpetiole disc is completely smooth and the petiole ventrally has a distinctly spongiform longitudinal crest. The curved row of spoon-shaped hairs that adorn the top of the mid -pronotal arched-transverse ridge is very distinctive in dorsal view and is a unique development of this species.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Nearctic Region: United States. Neotropical Region: Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay.

Nomenclature

 *  epinotalis. Strumigenys (Cephaloxys) studiosi subsp. epinotalis Weber, 1934a: 46 (w.q.) COSTA RICA. Combination in Smithistruma: Brown, 1953g: 101; in Pyramica: Bolton, 1999: 1673; in Strumigenys: Baroni Urbani & De Andrade, 2007: 119. Raised to species and senior synonym of skwarrae: Brown, 1953g: 101. See also: Bolton, 2000: 219.
 * skwarrae. Strumigenys (Cephaloxys) skwarrae Wheeler, W.M. 1934g: 177 (w.) MEXICO. Junior synonym of epinotalis: Brown, 1953g: 101.

Worker
Bolton (2000) - TL 1.9-2.1, HL 0.49-0.56, HW 0.39-0.42, CI 73-79, ML 0.11-0.12, MI 20-22, SL 0.25-0.27, SI 62-66, PW 0.25-0.28, AL 0.50-0.56 (to measured). Tooth 3 from the base elongate and spiniform, longer than 1-2 or 4-5, all of which are about of equal length and acute. Anterior clypeal margin evenly shallowly convex. Eye with 5-6 (rarely 7) ommatidia in the longest row. Scape broad in dorsal view, ca 4.5 X longer than its maximum width. Ground-pilosity of head of conspicuous medially curved spoon-shaped hairs. Vertex behind highest point with a transverse row of 4 longer, more erect and somewhat stouter hairs. Apicoscrobal hair thick, anteriorly curved and spoon-shaped, longer and more strongly laterally prominent than any other hair on the margin. Pronotal humeral hair absent. Pronotal dorsum at its midlength with a broadly arched low transverse ridge that bears a row of anteromedially curved spoon-shaped hairs. Mesonotum with curved spoon-shaped ground-pilosity but without standing hairs of any form. Head and alitrunk usually densely reticulate-punctate on every surface, but rarely the katepisternum with a small shining patch. Lamella on propodeal declivity broad. Petiole node markedly broader than long in dorsal view; in profile with a narrow but distinct longitudinal spongiform crest ventrally. Disc of postpetiole smooth and shining, the lateral and ventral postpetiolar spongiform lobes large. Basigastral costulae extending over the basal quarter to third of the sclerite, sharply defined; tergite otherwise smooth and shining. Hairs on first gastral tergite numerous, suberect to erect, stout straight and thickened or remiform apically. First gastral stemite in profile with narrow but distinct basal spongiform pad.

Type Material
Bolton (2000) - Syntype workers and queen, COSTA RICA: Estrella Valley, Talia Farm, 18.vi.1924 (G. C. Wheeler) [examined].