Strumigenys simulans

Identification
Bolton (2000) - Only two Neotropical species are known with 4-segmented antennae, Strumigenys simulans and Strumigenys minuscula, but they belong in radically different species-group. The two are easily distinguished by the characters noted in the key and their group-diagnostic characters.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Cuba, Greater Antilles.

Nomenclature

 *  simulans. Epitritus (Codioxenus) simulans Santschi, 1931c: 278, figs. 11, 12 (w.) CUBA. Combination in Codioxenus: Brown, 1948e: 123; in Pyramica: Bolton, 1999: 1672; in Strumigenys: Baroni Urbani & De Andrade, 2007: 128. See also: Bolton, 2000: 230.

Worker
Bolton (2000) - TL 1.8, HL 0.50, HW 0.36, CI 72, ML 0.08, MI 16, SL 0.22, SI 61, PW 0.23, AL 0.51. Antenna with only 4 segments. Eye with 3 ommatidia in the longest row, with about 8 - 9 ommatidia in total. Ventrolateral margins of head divergent to eyes and convergent behind them, so that each eye occupies the apex of an obtusely triangular prominence. Petiole node broader than long in dorsal view. Disc of postpetiole in dorsal view with anterior face extremely shallowly concave, almost transverse; anteriorly and laterally the disc completely bordered by spongiform tissue. Dorsolateral margins of head in full-face view fringed by minute fine hairs that project laterally. Cephalic dorsum with fine standing hairs, erect and curved, but extremely short. A longer pair of erect hairs may be present close to the occipital margin. Mesonotum with a single pair of erect simple hairs; similar but curved hairs sparsely present on petiole, postpetiole and first gastral tergite. Dorsum of head smooth or at most with only the faintest vestiges of superficial sculpture. Alitrunk entirely smooth and shining, as are the petiole node dorsally, the disc of the postpetiole and the first gastral tergite. Base of first gastral tergite with a few faint scratch-like marks but without basigastral costulae.

Type Material
Bolton (2000) - Syntype workers, CUBA: Havana, Playa Marianao, 27. iv. 1 930 (A. Bierig) [examined].