Strumigenys phoenix

Identification
Bolton (2000) - A member of the mjoebergi complex in the Strumigenys godeffroyi-group. Together with Strumigenys zagan, phoenix has a shallow cuticular crest on the inner margin of the mandible, as described above. The crest is slightly broader and more conspicuous in the former than in the latter. The two are easily separated as phoenix has the same relatively stout pilosity on both the first and second gastral tergites, whereas in zagan the second tergite has long flagellate hairs. Both these species, together with Strumigenys epyna and Strumigenys phytibia, have the pronotal humeral hair flagellate; see under epyna.

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

Nomenclature

 *  phoenix. Strumigenys phoenix Bolton, 2000: 803, fig. 441 (w.) WEST MALAYSIA.

Worker
Holotype. TL 2.1, HL 0.58, HW 0.38, CI 66, ML 0.24, MI 41, SL 0.34, SI 89, PW 0.23, AL 0.60. Characters of mjoebergi-complex. Inner margin of mandible in full-face view with a shallow cuticular crest along about the median third of its length; the crest is low and inconspicuous but is sufficient to alter the shape of the margin from evenly concave to shallowly convex where it occurs. Apicoscrobal hair simple and very short. With head in full-face view the ventrolateral margin not visible behind the level of the eye; dorsolateral margin sharply defined and darker in colour than remainder of dorsum. Cephalic dorsum with 4 erect short simple hairs close to the occipital margin, head without other standing hairs. Pronotal humeral hair flagellate. Pronotal dorsum with a pair of erect simple hairs and mesonotum with 1-2 pairs of short erect hairs. Side of alitrunk entirely reticulate-punctate. Lateral spongiform lobe of petiole small, in profile confined to posterior margin of node. Disc of postpetiole finely reticulate-shagreenate to reticulate-punctate. Basigastral costulae strongly defined, about equal in length to disc of postpetiole but not extending half the length of the tergite. First gastral tergite with stiff standing hairs that may be blunt, weakly remiform or slightly flattened and expanded apically; second tergite with pilosity as first, without flagellate hairs.

Paratypes. TL 2.1-2.2, HL 0.60-0.62, HW 0.39-0.40, CI 65-66, ML 0.23-0.24, MI 38-40, SL 0.34-0.35, SI 87-89, PW 0.23-0.25, AL 0.60-0.62 (3 measured).

Type Material
Holotype worker, Malaysia: Negri Sembilan, Pasoh For. Res., xi.1994, fog sample, 5-28 (Brendell, Jackson & Lewis).

Paratypes. 1 worker with same data as holotype; 1 worker with same data but 5-26; 1 worker with same data but 5-43 (BMNH, ).

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