Strumigenys epyna

Identification
Bolton (2000) - A member of the mjoebergi complex in the Strumigenys godeffroyi-group. S. epyna is closely related to Strumigenys phytibia, Strumigenys phoenix and Strumigenys zagan, all of which have a fine flagellate hair at the pronotal humerus. S. epyna has different pilosity and shorter basigastral costulae than phytibia, and lacks that species characteristic longitudinal costulate sculpture on the postpetiole disc. The other two, phoenix and zagan, have a low expanded cuticular crest on the inner margin of the mandible in about the median third of its length. This feature is absent from epyna, and incidentally also absent from phytibia and all other members of the complex.

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

Nomenclature

 *  epyna. Strumigenys epyna Bolton, 2000: 801 (w.) WEST MALAYSIA.

Worker
Holotype. TL 2.0, HL 0.56, HW 0.39, CI 70, ML 0.26, MI 46, SL 0.34, SI 87, PW 0.24, AL 0.55. Characters of mjoebergi-complex. Apicoscrobal hair stiff, simple to remiform. With head in full-face view the ventrolateral margin visible behind the level of the eye. Cephalic dorsum with 4 erect simple hairs close to the occipital margin, head without other standing hairs. Pronotal humeral hair flagellate; mesonotum with a pair of erect stout hairs; dorsal alitrunk otherwise without standing hairs. Side of alitrunk reticulate-punctate except for a smooth patch on katepisternum. Lateral spongiform lobe of petiole small, in profile confined to posterior margin of node. Disc of postpetiole finely densely reticulate to finely reticulate-punctate. Basigastral costulae strongly defined, as long as or slightly longer than disc of postpetiole but not extending half the length of the tergite. First gastral tergite with stiff blunt standing hairs that may be weakly remiform or slightly flattened and expanded apically; second tergite with a pair of flagellate hairs.

Type Material
Holotype worker, Malaysia: Negri Semhilan, Pasoh For. Res., iii.-iv.1994, fog sample, 2-33 (Brendell, Jackson & Ficken).

Determination Clarifications
This species was referred to as Strumigenys sp. B in Bolton, 1998b: 95.