Strumigenys separa

Identification
Bolton (2000) - A member of the feae complex in the Strumigenys mayri-group. The combination of characters seen in this species makes it seem to fall between the two main complexes of the group. Like most members of the feae-complex it has 2 flagellate hairs on the upper scrobe margin, the ventrolateral margin of its head lacks a preocular notch and there is no preocular impression in the ventral surface; the lateral spongiform lobe of the petiole is small but obvious. Like most species of the mayri-complex it is small, has sculpture on the postpetiole and only a single pair of erect hairs on the mesonotum; the posterodorsal spongiform collar of the petiole is interrupted medially. This uncommon combination of characters, coupled with the dense, long basigastral costulae, presence of only a single pair of erect hairs on the entire cephalic dorsum and possession of a spiniform preapical tooth, all serve to enhance the isolation of Strumigenys separa. Finally, the notch or indentation of the anterior clypeal margin of this species is broader than is usual in the group.

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

Nomenclature

 *  separa. Strumigenys separa Bolton, 2000: 892 (w.) INDONESIA (Seram I.)

Worker
Holotype. TL 2.1, HL 0.56, HW 0.38, CI 68, ML 0.28, MI 50, SL 0.34, SI 89, PW 0.24, AL 0.56. Characters mainly of the feae-complex. Preapical tooth spiniform and feebly curved, fractionally shorter than the maximum width of the mandible. Outer margin of mandible in full-face view very shallowly convex from close to base to level of preapical tooth. Apicoscrobal hair present and upper scrobe margin with another flagellate hair anterior to this. Cephalic dorsum with a single pair of erect short-flagellate hairs at occipital margin close to midline (from paratypes - lost from holotype), dorsum otherwise with ground-pilosity but without standing hairs. Preocular notch absent. Maximum diameter of eye slightly greater than maximum width of the scape; 4-5 ommatidia across the greatest diameter. Pronotal humeral hair flagellate; pronotal dorsum strongly and densely reticulate-punctate. Pronotum without erect hairs except for those at the humeri; mesonotum with a single pair of erect flagellate hairs. Dorsal surfaces of waist segments and first gastral tergite with sparse flagellate hairs; on first tergite restricted to 2-4 close to apex of basigastral costulae and a pair at apex of sclerite. Katepisternum mostly smooth, metapleuron and side of propodeum mostly to entirely reticulate though sculpture may be somewhat effaced in places. Two long fine erect flagellate hairs present on the dorsal (outer) surface of the hind basitarsus but such hairs apparently absent from tibia and dorsum of femur. Propodeum armed with a pair of teeth, length of one tooth about equal to the distance separating their bases. Petiole in profile with anterior face of node shorter than length of dorsum; in dorsal view the node about as long as broad. Disc of postpetiole densely sharply reticulate-punctate. Basigastral costulae numerous and crowded, extending between one- third and one half of length of sclerite, obviously longer than disc of postpetiole.

Paratypes. TL 2.0-2.1, HL 0.55-0.58, HW 0.36-0.39, CI 65-70, ML 0.26-0.28, MI 47-50, SL 0.32-0.34, SI 87-89, PW 0.22-0.24, AL 0.54-0.56 (3 measured).

Type Materials
Holotype worker, Indonesia: N. C. Seram, Manusela N. P., Wae Mual Plain, 25.vii.-9.ix.1987, Op. Raleigh, B. M. 1987-262, DVAC Strum.D (M.J. D. Brendell). Paratypes. 3 workers with same data as holotype (BMNH,, ).