Strumigenys mazu

Very little is known about this species. In Hong Kong it is an uncommon species and is known only from a few locations. It occurs in secondary forests at elevations ranging from 262 to 291 m (Tang et al., 2019). It apparently forms small monogynous colonies of about 20 individuals (Masuko, 2009b). In Japan it is found on the floor of broadleaf forest, nesting in the soil (Japanese Ant Image Database).

Identification
Bolton (2000) - A member of the Strumigenys mnemosyne-group. Known from very little material, mazu is nevertheless the most confidently identified species of this group. Its reticulate-punctate cephalic dorsum that contrasts strongly with the smooth pronotum, sharply defined upper scrobe margin and lack of basigastral costulae quickly separates it from the four remaining species of the group. In these (Strumigenys daspleta,  Strumigenys mnemosyne, Strumigenys runa, Strumigenys taphra) the cephalic dorsum is as smooth as the pronotum, the upper scrobe margin is rounded and poorly defined, and basigastral costulae are present on the first gastral tergite on each side of a mid-dorsal clear area.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: Taiwan. Palaearctic Region: China, Japan.

Nomenclature

 *  mazu. Smithistruma mazu Terayama, Lin & Wu, 1996: 337, figs. 26, 27, 30, 31 (w.) TAIWAN. Combination in Pyramica: Bolton, 1999: 1673; in Strumigenys: Baroni Urbani & De Andrade, 2007: 123. See also: Bolton, 2000: 446.

Worker
Bolton (2000) - TL 1.3-1.5, HL 0.41-0.43, HW 0.30-0.31, CI 70-76, ML 0.07-0.08, MI 17-18, SL 0.16-0.18, SI 52, PW 0.20, AL 0.40-0.43 (2 measured). Dorsolateral margin of head with numerous freely laterally projecting fine sub flagellate hairs. Clypeus mostly smooth, with extremely faint vestiges of superficial sculpture; anterior clypeal margin transverse. Cephalic dorsum reticulate-punctate behind clypeus and with numerous fine simple standing hairs; the sculpture of the dorsum contrasts strongly with the smooth cuticle within the well defined scrobe. Leading edge of scape shallowly convex, with minute elevated fine hairs that curve toward the apex of the scape and also with a series of 3-4 straight, freely projecting elongate simple hairs that are directed an terodorsally. Dorsal surfaces of alitrunk, petiole, postpetiole and first gastral tergite smooth and shining. Sides of alitrunk entirely smooth and shining. Dorsum of promesonotum, waist segments and first gastral tergite with numerous fine standing hairs. Dorsal (outer) surfaces of middle and hind tibiae with quite long decumbent hairs that curve toward the apex and also with a number of freely projecting more or less straight hairs present; the latter also occur on the basitarsi. Lamella on propodeal declivity short, translucent, almost as broad as high and reaching up to the level of the dorsal margin of the spiracle. Ventral spongiform strip of petiole deeper in profile than depth of peduncle. Petiole node in dorsal view conspicuously broader than long, with prominent lateral spongiform lobes and an extremely narrow posterior collar. Disc of postpetiole broader than long, the sides entirely margined with spongiform tissue. Anterior margin of disc in dorsal view approximately transverse, the sides convex and converging posteriorly. Basigastral costulae absent.

Type Material
Bolton (2000) - Holotype worker, TAIWAN: Chilan, Yilan Hsien, 28.vii.1988 (no collector' s name given). Paratype workers, JAPAN: Okinawa Pref., Okinawa Is, Henza-jima I., ix.1959 (H. Takamine) [MNHA paratypes examined].

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Bolton, B. 2000. The Ant Tribe Dacetini. Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute 65
 * Guénard B., and R. R. Dunn. 2012. A checklist of the ants of China. Zootaxa 3558: 1-77.
 * Hosoishi S., M. Yoshimura, Y. Kuboki, and K. Ogata. 2007. Ants from Yakushima Island, Kagoshima Prefecture. Ari 30: 47-54.
 * Ogata K. and Onoyama K. 1998. A Revision of the Ant Genus Smithistruma Brown of Japan, with Descriptions of Four New Species (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Entomological Science 1: 277-287
 * Tang K.L., Pierce M.P., and B. Guénard. 2019. Review of the genus Strumigenys (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Myrmicinae) in Hong Kong with the description of three new species and the addition of five native and four introduced species records. ZooKeys 831: 1-48.
 * Terayama M. 2009. A synopsis of the family Formicidae of Taiwan (Insecta: Hymenoptera). Research Bulletin of Kanto Gakuen University. Liberal Arts 17:81-266.
 * Terayama M., C. C. Lin, and W. J. Wu. 1996. The Taiwanese species of the ant genus Smithistruma (Hymenoptera, Formicidae). Japanese Journal of Entomology 64: 327-339.
 * Terayama M., S. Kubota, and K. Eguchi. 2014. Encyclopedia of Japanese ants. Asakura Shoten: Tokyo, 278 pp.
 * Terayama, M. 2009. A synopsis of the family Formicidae of Taiwan (Insecta; Hymenoptera). The Research Bulletin of Kanto Gakuen University 17: 81-266.
 * Tian M., L. Deharveng, A. Bedos, Y. Li, Z. Xue, B. Feng, and G. Wei. 2011, Advances of cave biodiversity survey: a result based mainly on invertebrates. Proceedings of the 17th National Congress of Speleology, Yinshuidong, Hubei, 1-3 Nov 20111, p 149-163.
 * Xu Z. H., and X. G. Zhou. 2004. Systematic study on the ant genus Pyramica Roger (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) of China. Acta Zootaxonomica Sinica 29: 440-450.
 * Xu Z. and X.-G. Zhou. 2004. Systematic study on the ant genus Pyramica Roger (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) of China. Acta Zootaxonomica Sinica 29(3): 440-450
 * Xu Z. and X.-G. Zhou. 2004. Systematic study on the ant genus Pyramica Roger (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) of China. Acta Zootaxonomica Sinica 29(3): 440-450.
 * Yamane S., S. Ikudome, and M. Terayama. 1999. Identification guide to the Aculeata of the Nansei Islands, Japan. Sapporo: Hokkaido University Press, xii + 831 pp. pp, 138-317.
 * Yamane S., Y. Harada, and K. Eguchi. 2013. Classification and ecology of ants. Natural history of ants in Southern Kyushu. 200 pages
 * Yamane S.; Ikudome, S.; Terayama, M. 1999. Identification guide to the Aculeata of the Nansei Islands, Japan. Sapporo: Hokkaido University Press, xii + 831 pp. pp138-317.