Strumigenys formicosa

Identification
Bolton (2000) - A member of the Strumigenys precava-group. S. formicosa runs out in the key with those samples of Strumigenys precava that lack any trace of an intercalary tooth. Striking differences between the two species include the completely smooth lateral alitrunk in formicosa and its possession of a second, more proximal, preapical denticle that arises from the dorsal surface of the mandible. S. formicosa lacks the distinct long conical tubercle at the pronotal humerus that is characteristic of precava, and the latter also has a longer, narrower head, shorter mandibles and longer scapes that formicosa (compare measurements).

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Ecuador.

Nomenclature

 *  formicosa. Strumigenys formicosa Bolton, 2000: 547 (w.) ECUADOR.

Worker
Holotype. TL 3.1, HL 0.75, HW 0.64, CI 85, ML 0.53, MI 70, SL 0.50, SI 78, PW 0.34, AL 0.77. Apical fork of mandible without an intercalary tooth. Preapical dentition consists of a small acute tooth, very close to the apicodorsal tooth, and a more proximal small tooth or denticle that arises from the dorsal surface of the mandible; only the apex of this proximal tooth may break the outline of the inner margin. Upper scrobe margin bordered with a conspicuous lamina that at maximum is one-third or more the maximum width of the scape. Preocular impression in side of head extensive and deeply concave. Apicoscrobal hair flagellate. Cephalic dorsum with a pair of erect stiff hairs close to occipital margin. Pronotal humerus with a minute angular prominence from which a long flagellate hair arises. Mesonotum with a pair of flagellate hairs; petiole, postpetiole and especially first gastral tergite with long flagellate hairs. Dorsal alitrunk finely reticulate-punctate but may be partially effaced anteromedially on pronotum. Promesonotum without a median longitudinal carina. Dorsum of petiole node and disc of postpetiole smooth and shining. Entire side of alitrunk, including lateral pronotum, unsculptured, smooth and shining. Propodeal spines short, narrow and acute, subtended by a narrow lamella. Ventral surface of petiole without spongiform tissue from base to about level of spiracle, thereafter with a narrow spongiform strip that extends back beneath the node. Basigastral costulae shorter than length of postpetiole disc, first gastral tergite otherwise unsculptured.

Paratypes. TL 3.1-3.4, HL 0.75-0.79, HW 0.65-0.69, CI 85-87, ML 0.53-0.55, MI 69-72, SL 0.50, SI 72-77, PW 0.34-0.36, AL 0.78-0.84 (2 measured).

Type Material
Holotype worker, Ecuador: Provo Pichincha, Tinalandia, 16 km. SE Santo Domingo de los Colorados, 680 m., vi.1975, B-300 (S. & J. Peck).

Paratypes. 1 worker with same data as holotype; 1 worker Ecuador: Provo Pichincha, 3 km. E Tandapi, 1300 m., vi.1975, litter, wet ravine (S. & J. Peck) (, MCZ).