Strumigenys smythiesii

Identification
Bolton (2000) - A member of the smythiesii complex in the Strumigenys godeffroyi-group. The entirely flagellate nature of the main pilosity and its distribution, coupled with the complete lack of sculpture on the dorsal alitrunk, isolates this species. See notes under Strumigenys lichiaensis.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: India.

Nomenclature

 *  smythiesii. Strumigenys smythiesii Forel, 1902c: 242 (w.q.) INDIA. See also: Bolton, 2000: 813.

Worker
Bolton (2000) - TL 2.5-2.7, HL 0.65-0.69, HW 0.41-0.42, CI 61-63, ML 0.26-0.27, MI 38-42, SL 0.43-0.44, SI 102-107, PW 0.27-0.28, AL 0.73-0.78 (3 measured).

Characters of smythiesii-complex. Mandibles in full-face view shallowly bowed outwards; preapical tooth close to apicodorsal. Apicoscrobal hair flagellate; curved spatulate hairs present on margin both posterior and anterior to the flagellate hair; without stiff, elevated freely projecting hairs. Ground-pilosity on head narrowly spatulate, elevated; occipital margin without stiff erect hairs that are easily distinguished from the ground-pilosity. Cephalic dorsum finely reticulate-punctate. Ventral surface of head with a few short erect fine hairs in addition to short curved ground-pilosity. Pronotal humeral hair flagellate; mesonotum with a pair of erect flagellate hairs; dorsal alitrunk otherwise without erect hairs. Alitrunk unsculptured dorsally and laterally, entirely smooth and shining; anterior coxae smooth. Hind femur with at least one long erect fine hair on its dorsal surface. Propodeal teeth wholly embedded in, or replaced by, the infradental lamella. Dorsum of petiole node and disc of postpetiole smooth and shining. Lateral spongiform lobe of petiole small, in profile lobe restricted to close to posterior margin of node. Petiole node in dorsal view slightly longer than broad; in profile the dorsal surface longer than the anterior, ascending, face of the node (ignoring posterior spongiform collar in each case). Hairs on first gastral tergite flagellate. Basigastral costulae very short, on tergite proper no longer than width of limbus.

Type Material
Bolton (2000) - Syntype workers and queen, INDIA: Assam (Smythies) [examined].