Strumigenys vilhenai

A rarely collected species, one specimen is noted as being found in Atlantic forest.

Identification
Bolton (2000) - A member of the lanuginosa complex in the Strumigenys hindenburgi-group. Quickly distinguished from Strumigenys lanuginosa by the presence in that species of two flagellate hairs on the upper scrobe margin. Given the known variation in size of the proximal preapical denticle in some members of this group it is possible that samples of vilhenai may be found in which it is completely absent, but in material examined to date the denticle is present in vilhenai (though minute) and always absent in lanuginosa.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Brazil, Ecuador.

Nomenclature

 *  vilhenai. Strumigenys vilhenai Bolton, 2000: 522 (w.) BRAZIL.

Worker
Holotype. TL 2.4, HL 0.58, HW 0.42, CI 72, ML 0.35, MI 60, SL 0.36, SI 86, PW 0.26, AL 0.60. With characters of lanuginosa-complex. Mandible with a small preapical tooth that is close to the apicodorsal tooth. Proximal of this there is a minute denticle that may be difficult to discern. Upper scrobe margin with a single long fine flagellate hair, the apicoscrobal. Eye relatively large, with 7 ommatidia in the longest row, its maximum diameter about equal to the length of the preapical (fifth) antennal segment. Mesopleuron and metapleuron mostly smooth and shining.

Paratype. TL 2.3, HL 0.55, HW 0.39, CI 71, ML 0.34, MI 62, SL 0.34, SI 87, PW 0.24, AL 0.58.

Type Material
Holotype worker, Brazil: Macapa-Amapa, Rod. Duque de Caixas, km. 9, 19.x.1997, No. 17L (J. M. Vilhena). Paratype. 1 worker with same data as holotype.