Strumigenys tetra

The two known collections of this species have been found in rainforest litter-samples.

Identification
Bolton (2000) - A member of the Strumigenys eurycera-group. By far the most densely hairy and coarsely sculptured member of the group yet discovered, tetra is the only one to have numerous hairs projecting laterally from the dorsolateral margin of the head. These features isolate tetra, but it also lacks the massive lobe on the scape that characterises Strumigenys eurycera, and lacks the mandibular lamella seen in Strumigenys pharosa and Strumigenys quattuor, which is represented in tetra only by a carina.

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

Nomenclature

 *  tetra. Strumigenys tetra Bolton, 2000: 781, fig. 428 (w.) NEW GUINEA.

Worker
Holotype. TL 2.4, HL 0.61, HW 0.50, CI 82, ML 0.28, MI 46, SL 0.34, SI 68, PW 0.30, AL 0.68. Inner margin of mandible with a carina proximal of the preapical tooth, without a cuticular lamella. Apical antennal segment strongly constricted basally, narrowly articulated to preapical segment; the latter short and barrel-shaped, also strongly constricted basally. Leading edge of scape shallowly convex, broadest distal of the midlength, the leading edge with a series of elevated simple hairs that are curved toward the scape apex; longest of these hairs subequal to maximum width of scape. Eye minute. Scrobe vestigial, represented only by a slight indentation immediately behind the eye. Apart from this indentation side of head behind eye shallowly convex from top to bottom, without sharply defined dorsolateral or ventrolateral margins. Cephalic dorsum posteriorly with some weak reticulate-rugulose sculpture overlying the reticulate-punctate main sculpture. Mesopleuron entirely reticulate-punctate. Principal basigastral costulae only slightly longer than maximum length of postpetiole disc; costulae on base of first sternites conspicuous. With head in full-face view the dorsolateral margin with 8-10 short stiff hairs that project laterally, the one at the level of the apex of the scrobe slightly the longest; cephalic dorsum with numerous short stiff erect hairs present from level of posterior margin of clypeus to occipital margin. Pronotal humeral hair stiff, erect and simple; pronotal dorsum and mesonotum with numerous pairs of short erect simple hairs. Hairs on first gastral tergite short and fine, mostly acute apically.

Paratypes. TL 2.4-2.5, HL 0.61-0.64, HW 0.50-0.52, CI 81-82, ML 0.27-0.29, MI 44-46, SL 0.34-0.36, SI 68-70, PW 0.30-0.31, AL 0.67-0.68 (3 measured). Left mandible of one paratype broken.

Type Material
Holotype worker, Papua New Guinea: 38 km. N Madang, 40 m., 3.ii.1989, 4°53'S, 145°45'E, sifted litter (leaf mold, rotten wood) rainforest, #10127-20 (P. S. Ward).

Paratypes. 5 workers with same data as holotype; 1 worker Papua New Guinea: 24 km. N Madang, 80 m., 2.ii.1989, 5°01'S, 145°46'E, sifted litter (leaf mold, rotten wood) rainforest, #10121-15 (P. S. Ward) (BMNH,, ).

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Bolton, B. 2000. The Ant Tribe Dacetini. Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute 65
 * CSIRO Collection
 * Janda M., G. D. Alpert, M. L. Borowiec, E. P. Economo, P. Klimes, E. Sarnat, and S. O. Shattuck. 2011. Cheklist of ants described and recorded from New Guinea and associated islands. Available on http://www.newguineants.org/. Accessed on 24th Feb. 2011.