Strumigenys scotti

Strumigenys scotti has not been found on the continental mainland.

Identification
Fisher (2000) - A member of the scotti complex in the Strumigenys scotti-group. A widely distributed but easily recognized member of the scotti-complex. Among the species which have the dorsum of the petiole node reticulate-punctate, scotti is the only one with the following characters in combination. 1 The mesonotum with only a single pair of erect hairs, located at the anterior margin. 2 A well developed spongiform curtain ventrally on petiolar peduncle. 3 A transverse band of appressed spoon-shaped hairs arranged in several rows on the cephalic dorsum immediately behind the clypeus. 4 Postpetiole smooth and shiny, even at lateral margins.

In addition its large size, HL 0.64-0.70, HW 0.46-0.52, helps to characterise this species.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Comoros, São Tomé & Principe. Malagasy Region: Madagascar, Seychelles.

Nomenclature

 *  scotti. Strumigenys scotti Forel, 1912k: 159 (w.) SEYCHELLES IS. See also: Brown, 1954k: 23; Bolton, 1983: 391; Fisher, in Bolton, 2000: 694

Worker
Bolton (1983) - TL 2.4-2.6, HL 0.62-0.70, HW 0.42-0.46, CI 64-70, ML 0.30-0.33, MI 46-50, SL 0.39-0.42, SI 88-95, PW 0.26-0.29, AL 0.66-0.66 (8 measured).

Mandibles in full-face view with the outer margins shallowly and evenly convex, the width of the blade approximately constant from the level of the proximal pre apical tooth to near the base where the mandibles are somewhat narrowed. Apical fork of each mandible of 2 stout teeth, without intercalary teeth or denticles. Each mandible with 2 stout pre apical teeth which are situated in the apical third of the length of the blade. The proximal preapical teeth slightly longer than the distal, the distals longer than the distance separating the bases of the preapical teeth. Upper scrobe margins evenly and shallowly convex, rounding cleanly into the sides of the occipital lobes without trace of an angle, the two together forming a single evenly curved surface in full-face view. Upper scrobe margins not bounded by a rim or flange, the eyes clearly visible in full-face view. Eyes large, with about 20 ommatidia, the maximum diameter of the eye distinctly greater than the maximum width of the scape. Preocular notch absent, the ventral surface of the head without a transverse preocular groove or impression. Antennal scapes long slender and subcylindrical, only very feebly curved near the base and with their leading edges equipped with a row of slender small hairs which curve towards the apex and which are slightly flattened or spoon-shaped apically. Cephalic dorsum densely dothed with curved narrow spatulate to spoon-shaped ground-pilosity, the upper scrobe margins fringed with a dense row of hairs which are the same shape and size as those on the dorsum. Cephalic dorsum with 6 simple standing hairs arranged in a transverse row of 4 close to the occipital margin and a more anteriorly situated pair. Pronotal humeri each with a single long fine flagellate hair. Mesonotum with a single pair of standing hairs. Ground-pilosity on alitrunk as on head but the hairs smaller and sparser. Posterior portion of mesonotum shallowly depressed behind the level of the standing hairs. Propodeal teeth triangular and subtended by narrow infradentallamellae. Sides of alitrunk superficially punctulate peripherally, the pleurae mostly smooth. Pronotal dorsum longitudinally feebly rugulose and punctate. Remainder of dorsal alitrunk reticulate-punctate. Petiole node in dorsal view reticulate-punctate and at least as long as broad, often longer than broad. Postpetiole smooth and shining. Spongiform appendages of pedicel segments well developed, the petiole with a ventral strip and conspicuous lateral lobe on the node. Postpetiole with large lateral and ventral spongiform lobes of which the ventral is the larger, about as large as the exposed area of the postpetiolar disc in profile. In dorsal view the spongiform material not or only very slightly projecting beyond the lateral outline of the disc. Basigastral costulae arising on each side of a central clear area. Dorsal surfaces of petiole, postpetiole and gaster with standing hairs which are simple or very slightly thickened apically. Colour yellowish brown to medium brown.

Type Material
Syntype workers, SEYCHELLE Is: Silhouette, Mare aux Cochons, 1000 ft (305 m), 1905 (H. Scott) [examined].

Determination Clarifications
Fisher (2000) - Afrotropical material considered to be scotti by Bolton (1983) is now referred to a separate species, Strumigenys sibyna.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Bolton B. 1983. The Afrotropical dacetine ants (Formicidae). Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History). Entomology 46: 267-416.
 * Bolton, B. 2000. The Ant Tribe Dacetini. Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute 65
 * Brown W. L. Jr. 1954. The ant genus Strumigenys Fred. Smith in the Ethiopian and Malagasy regions. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology 112: 1-34.
 * Dorow, Wolfgang H. O. 1995. Review and Bibliography of the ants of the Seychelles (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). J. Afr. Zool. 110:73-96
 * Dorow, Wolfgang H.O. 1996. Review and bibliography of the ants of the Seychelles. Journal of African Zoology 110(2): 73-95.
 * Fisher B. L. 1997. Biogeography and ecology of the ant fauna of Madagascar (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Journal of Natural History 31: 269-302.
 * Fisher B. L. 2003. Formicidae, ants. Pp. 811-819 in: Goodman, S. M.; Benstead, J. P. (eds.) 2003. The natural history of Madagascar. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, xxi + 1709 pp.
 * Forel A. 1912. The Percy Sladen Trust Expedition to the Indian Ocean in 1905, under the leadership of Mr. J. Stanley Gardiner, M.A. Volume 4. No. XI. Fourmis des Seychelles et des Aldabras, reçues de M. Hugh Scott. Trans. Linn. Soc. Lond. Zool. (2) 15: 159-167.
 * Medler J. T. 1980: Insects of Nigeria - Check list and bibliography. Mem. Amer. Ent. Inst. 30: i-vii, 1-919.
 * Ratsirarson H. J., and B. L. Fisher. 2005. Ant (Formicidae) diversity in the Mantadia-Zahamena corridor, Madagascar. Schmid, J. et L.E. Alonso (eds). 2005. Une évaluation biologique rapide du corridor Mantadia-Zahamena à Madagascar. Bulletin RAP dEvaluation Rapide 32. Conservation International. Washington, DC.
 * Taylor B. 1979. Ants of the Nigerian Forest Zone (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). III. Myrmicinae (Cardiocondylini to Meranoplini). Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria Research Bulletin 6: 1-65.
 * Wheeler W. M. 1922. Ants of the American Museum Congo expedition. A contribution to the myrmecology of Africa. IX. A synonymic list of the ants of the Malagasy region. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 45: 1005-1055