Strumigenys morphica

A specimen was collected from a rainforest litter sample.

Identification
Bolton (2000) - A member of the elapoma complex in the Strumigenys lyroessa-group. For separation from Strumigenys elapoma see there. In dimensions and general appearance morphica bears a striking resemblance to Strumigenys liophila, the two together having longer scapes and femora and a narrower head than is usual in the group. S. liophila however has apical mandibular dentition characteristic of the lyroessa-complex and a smooth patch on the katepisternum.

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

Nomenclature

 *  morphica. Strumigenys morphica Bolton, 2000: 873 (w.) BORNEO.

Worker
Holotype. TL 2.3, HL 0.64, HW 0.45, CI 70, ML 0.18, MI 28, SL 0.32, SI 71, PW 0.28, AL 0.64. Characters of elapoma-complex. Upper scrobe margin with anteriorly curved small spoon-shaped hairs that are about the same size, or only slightly smaller, than those on leading edge of scape. Apicoscrobal hair short and inconspicuous, weakly expanded apically; posterior to this the dorsolateral margin without projecting hairs except for one or two small hairs at extreme apex of occipital lobe. Cephalic dorsum with a transverse row of short suberect hairs on the occipital margin; dorsum otherwise without standing hairs. Pronotal humeral hair short-remiform; pronotal dorsum otherwise without standing hairs. Dorsum of mesonotum with 3 pairs of short stiff erect remiform hairs. First gastral tergite with stiff suberect to erect short hairs that are weakly remiform. Dorsal (outer) margins of middle and hind tibiae without suberect projecting hairs. Lamella on propodeal declivity very narrow, its posterior (free) margin shallowly concave.

Paratypes. TL 2.3, HL 0.63-0.65, HW 0.44-0.45, CI 68-71, ML 0.18, MI 28-29, SL 0.30, SI 67-68, PW 0.28-0.30, AL 0.64-0.65 (2 measured).

Type Material
Holotype worker, Malaysia: Sabah, Crocker Range, 1350 m., 17.v.1987, no. 28a (Burckhardt & Lobl). Paratypes. 5 workers, Malaysia: Sabah, Mt Kinabalu, 1140 m., 24.v.1987, no.40 (Burckhardt & Lobl) (MHNG, ).

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Pfeiffer M.; Mezger, D.; Hosoishi, S.; Bakhtiar, E. Y.; Kohout, R. J. 2011. The Formicidae of Borneo (Insecta: Hymenoptera): a preliminary species list. Asian Myrmecology 4:9-58