Strumigenys megaera

Known from rainforest and wet forest. Of the few collections, most are from litter samples but one was made from an abandoned termite mound.

Identification
Bolton (2000) - A member of the Strumigenys leptothrix-group. S. megaera is closest related to Strumigenys rudinodis and Strumigenys scolopax, within a complex that also includes Strumigenys scylla and Strumigenys medusa. Characterisation of the complex and differentiation of the component species is discussed under rudinodis, the dentition of the complex is noted in the introduction to the group.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Indo-Australian Region: Borneo, Indonesia, Malaysia.

Nomenclature

 *  megaera. Pyramica megaera Bolton, 2000: 437, fig. 270 (w.q.) BORNEO. Combination in Strumigenys: Baroni Urbani & De Andrade, 2007: 123

Worker
Holotype. TL 2.4, HL 0.69, HW 0.44, CI 64, ML 0.08, MI 12, SL 0.32, SI 73, PW 0.26, AL 0.69. With head in profile the outline of the clypeus rises almost vertically from the mandibles then passes through a broadly convex curve before the more or less flat posterior half of the outline. Spatulate appressed hairs numerous and very distinct on the clypeus and mandibles. Dentition discussed in introduction to group. With head in full-face view the dorsolateral margin, to a point well behind the level of the scrobe apex, with anteriorly directed, decumbent short spatulate hairs only; without freely laterally projecting long hairs of any form. Sides of occipital lobes close to posterior angles with 4-5 straight, laterally projecting simple hairs. Leading edge of scape lacking projecting hairs but with closely appressed simple to narrowly spatulate hairs that are directed toward the apex of the scape. Cephalic dorsum with appressed ground-pilosity and with a single transverse row of simple standing hairs close to the occipital margin. Dorsum of head behind clypeus predominantly reticulate-punctate, with some quite conspicuous longitudinal rugulae posteriorly on the vertex and on the dorsal surface of the occipital lobes. Eye with 4 ommatidia in the longest row. Pronotum marginate dorsolaterally, the dorsum transversely more or less flat. Dorsum of mesonotum with 3 pairs of stiff straight erect to sub erect simple hairs; hairs on pronotum not erect. Propodeum armed with a pair of narrow acute spines, each subtended by a narrow carina that runs down the declivity to an elongate-triangular acute propodeal lobe. Middle and hind tibiae with apically-directed short decumbent hairs; without freely projecting hairs of any form. Petiole in profile with dorsal outline of peduncle grading directly into node, without a differentiated anterior face to the node. Ventral spongiform curtain of petiole deeper than thickness of peduncle in profile. Lateral spongiform lobe of petiole narrow and inconspicuous, little more than an exaggerated angle posterolaterally and not running forward along the side of the node. Dorsal surfaces of petiole, postpetiole and gaster with simple standing hairs. Petiole node in dorsal view longer than broad and with fine reticulate-punctate sculpture. Disc of postpetiole broader than long and with fine longitudinal costulae; the disc margined on all sides with spongiform tissue. Basigastral costulae sparse and very short indeed, confined to the extreme base of the tergite.

Paratypes. TL 2.4-2.5, HL 0.65-0.74, HW 0.42-0.46, CI 62-65, ML 0.07-0.10, MI 10-14, SL 0.30-0.34, SI 71-77, PW 0.26-0.30, AL 0.66-0.74 (4 measured). As holotype but eye with 4-5 ommatidia in the longest row. Pronotal sculpture variable; usually reticulate-punctate but in some the punctures aligned so that weak longitudinal rugule-like sculpture is developed by alignment of the puncture margins. Sides of pronotum may have the punctate sculpture effaced.

Type Material
Holotype worker, Malaysia: Sabah, Poring Hot Springs, 11.v.1987, 500 m., no. 21 (Burckhardt & Lobl).

Paratypes. 1 worker with same data as holotype; 3 workers and 1 queen (dealate) with same data but 9.v.1987, no. 18; 21 workers Sabah, Sepilok Forest Res., nr Sandakan, 12.vi.1968, rainforest leafmould berlesate, acc. 68.451 [ANIC Ants vial 17.188 ] (R. W. Taylor); 1 worker, Sabah, mi. 45 Labuk Rd ex Sandakan (Lungmanis), 12-13.vi.1968, rainforest berlesate, acc. 68.477 (R. W. Taylor); 1 queen (dealate), Sabah, Tawau, Quoin Hill, 750 ft, 16-19.vi.1968, leafmould berlesate, acc. 68.613 (R. W. Taylor) (MHNG,, , ).



References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * CSIRO Collection
 * Pfeiffer M.; Mezger, D.; Hosoishi, S.; Bakhtiar, E. Y.; Kohout, R. J. 2011. The Formicidae of Borneo (Insecta: Hymenoptera): a preliminary species list. Asian Myrmecology 4:9-58