Strumigenys timicala

Identification
Bolton (2000) - A member of the Strumigenys silvestrii-group. A short series (4 workers) from El Salvador is included here as I am not convinced that it represents a separate species. They are almost identical to the type-series but are slightly larger and have fractionally longer scapes (HL 0.57-0.58, HW 0.45-0.46, CI 78-80, ML 0.34-0.35, MI 58-60, SL 0.38, SI 83-84). Their dentition is as the type-series but the mandible also has a minute denticle proximal of the midlength, the appearance of which may be correlated with the slightly larger size. Some feeble sculpture is present on the postpetiole disc and the disc itself is a little larger. Four species of this group, all from Central America, are characterised by having two pairs of stiff erect hairs on the cephalic dorsum, Strumigenys calamita, Strumigenys nastata, Strumigenys perdita and timicala; see notes under nastata.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua.

Nomenclature

 *  timicala. Strumigenys timicala Bolton, 2000: 560 (w.) NICARAGUA.

Worker
Holotype. TL 2.1, HL 0.54, HW 0.44, CI 81, ML 0.30, MI 56, SL 0.33, SI 75, PW 0.28, AL 0.54. Mandible with a single small preapical tooth, located very close to the apicodorsal tooth and weakly inclined toward it; mandible proximal of this without a denticle. Cephalic dorsum with two pairs of erect hairs, one pair close to highest point of vertex, the other close to occipital margin. Apicoscrobal hair flagellate; pronotal humeral hair flagellate; a flagellate pair on the mesonotum. First gastral tergite with numerous short stout hairs that are erect to suberect, most have weakly expanded apices so that they appear remiform or feebly clavate in profile. Cephalic ground-pilosity of inconspicuous narrowly spatulate hairs; those fringing upper scrobe margin narrowly spoon-shaped. Pronotal dorsum reticulate-punctate and with some fine, posteriorly divergent, longitudinal rugulae or costulae. Side of pronotum with some oblique costulae; most of mesopleuron and part of metapleuron smooth. Propodeum with a pair of short triangular teeth. Petiole in dorsal view slightly broader than long. Ventral surface of petiole with a narrow spongiform strip that is deepest posteriorly, but even here it is only a fraction of the maximum depth of the peduncle (see under paratypes). Lateral spongiform lobe of petiole not developed but ventral lobe of postpetiole large and deep. Disc of postpetiole mostly smooth, at most with some weak sculpture dorsolaterally. Basigastral costulae strongly developed, almost as long as postpetiole disc in dorsal view; gaster otherwise smooth and shining.

Paratypes. TL 2.0-2.1, HL 0.53-0.56, HW 0.42-0.45, CI 78-82, ML 0.30-0.32, MI 54-58, SL 0.32-0.35, SI 75-79, PW 0.25-0.28, AL 0.52-0.55 (9 measured). Through the type-series there is notable variation in development of the ventral spongiform strip on the petiole. At its strongest the spongiform tissue extends from end to end of the segment, shallowest anteriorly and deepest posteriorly, but even here it is only narrow. In some the spongiform tissue does not commence until about the level of the spiracle and in some it is more or less effaced, being present only posteroventrally beneath the node.

Type Material
Holotype worker, Nicaragua: Hotel Selva Negra, km. 139 N Matagalpa, 1200+ m., 18.vi.1978, forest (C. Kugler & J. Hahn).

Paratypes. 18 workers with same data as holotype (MCZ, ).