Strumigenys nykara

Identification
Bolton (2000) - A member of the Strumigenys weberi-group. Disc of postpetiole coarsely longitudinally costulate; head distinctly broader than Strumigenys minkara. Petiole node without a spongiform posterior collar. Disc of postpetiole swollen, in dorsal view not completely surrounded by spongiform tissue. Anterior collar of postpetiole very narrow and lamellate, not confluent with lateral spongiform lobe. Clypeus posteriorly with a transverse row of 4 almost vertical stout hairs; anterior to this the clypeal dorsum with shorter standing simple hairs.

Bolton (1983) - Related to Strumigenys enkara and Strumigenys minkara by its possession of a sculptured postpetiolar disc, nykara is separated from the latter by its shorter broader head, punctate pleurae and different cephalic pilosity. From the former nykara is differentiated by the characters given in the key and noted under enkara.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: United Republic of Tanzania, Zimbabwe.

Nomenclature

 *  nykara. Smithistruma nykara Bolton, 1983: 307 (w.) ZIMBABWE. Combination in Pyramica: Bolton, 1999: 1673; in Strumigenys: Baroni Urbani & De Andrade, 2007: 125. See also: Bolton, 2000: 339.

Worker
Holotype. TL 2.4, HL 0.66, HW 0.43, CI 65, ML 0.07, MI 12, SL 0.31, SI 72, PW 0.29, AL 0.63.

Basal lamella of mandible not visible, what can be seen of dentition as described for enkara. Anterior clypeal margin transverse, the lateral margins very shallowly convex and feebly convergent anteriorly. Clypeus laterally and dorsally with fine short simple ground-pilosity which is mostly anteriorly curved and quite closely applied to the surface, and also with conspicuous much longer simple stouter hairs which are blunt apically. In profile these long hairs arise almost vertically from the clypeal dorsum, are shorter anteriorly and longest posteriorly where they form a transverse row of 4. In full-face view the long hairs project laterally or anterolaterally from the margins and are upcurved in the apical half to one-third of their length. Sides of head with numerous projecting fine simple hairs which are feebly flagellate, arched or looped. Dorsum of head behind clypeus with short anteriorly curved ground-pilosity such as is seen on the clypeus but towards the vertex and from the vertex to the occipital margin with fine simple hairs which are short flagellate, arched or looped. Long stout hairs such as those described on the clypeus are absent from the cephalic dorsum proper. Dorsum of head reticulate-rugulose, the clypeus less regularly rugulose. Antennal scapes feebly bent at about the basal third, broadest just distal to this. Leading edge of scape with a series of simple long projecting curved hairs. Maximum diameter of eye 0.14 X HW. Pronotum not marginate laterally, without a median longitudinal ridge or carina dorsally. In profile the metanotal groove not impressed, the propodeal teeth broad basally but narrowly triangular at apex, and with a narrow but distinct infradental lamella. Dorsal surfaces of pronotum, mesonotum, petiole, postpetiole and gaster with numerous fine simple hairs which are mostly short flagellate but some of which are curved or looped apically. Dorsal (outer) surfaces of middle and hind tibiae with numerous simple projecting hairs, many of which are curved or subflagellate. Sides of pronotum reticulate-rugose, pleurae densely punctate. Dorsal alitrunk everywhere finely but strongly reticulate-rugose, the spaces between the rugae not punctate except posteriorly on the propodeum where they form the main sculpture between the bases of the teeth. Petiole dorsum reticulate-rugose and the anterior face with a narrow transverse crest; the disc of the postpetiole strongly longitudinally rugose. Basigastral costulae strongly developed, covering the basal third or slightly more of the tergite. With pedicel segments in profile the spongiform appendages strongly developed. In dorsal view the petiole node with a narrow posterior strip which is broadest posterolaterally and interrupted medially. Sides of postpetiole disc not bounded by spongiform tissue in dorsal view. Posterior margin of postpetiole with a spongiform strip which is broad posterolaterally but concave and much narrowed medially, and interrupted centrally. Base of first gastral tergite with a transverse strip which is mostly laminar and is traversed by the basal costulae. Colour medium brown.

Paratypes. TL 2.4-2.6, HL 0.65-0.70, HW 0.44-0.47, CI 66-68, ML 0.07, MI 10-12, SL 0.31-0.34, SI 71-73, PW 0.28-0.32, AL 0.62-0.70 (4 measured).

As holotype, the maximum diameter of the eye 0.14-0.16 X HW.

Type Material
Holotype worker, Zimbabwe: Umtali, Melsetter, 1700 m, ii.1969 (R. Mussard).

Paratypes. 4 workers with same data as holotype (MHNG; ; ).