Streblognathus peetersi

Identification
Diagnosis. In the worker, scape, mesosoma and legs are shorter relative to width measurements in S. peetersi than in S. aethiopicus with scape index being the easiest measurement to separate the two species. The relatively longer body and appendages of S. aethiopicus, combined with its larger size results in Scape length, Meso-propodeal length and tibia length being longer in this species than in S. peetersi. There is also only a slight degree of overlap in Eye length. Mandibles in S. aethiopicus are castaneous with a black border whereas in S. peetersi they are generally black although there is a small proportion of specimens with some castaneous colouration. In the male, the subgenital plate in S. peetersi has convex lateral margins and the apex is broadly rounded, whereas in S. aethiopicus the lateral margins are concave and the apex is flat. The barbed apices of the penis valves are oriented vertically in S. peetersi whereas in S. aethiopicus, they splay outwards. In contrast, the barbs along the outer margins of the penis valves, behind the apices, are splayed outwards in S. peetersi whereas in S. aethiopicus they are oriented vertically.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Lesotho, South Africa, Swaziland.

Nomenclature

 *  peetersi. Streblognathus peetersi Robertson, 2002: 11, figs. 1, 2, 3b, 3d, 4 (w.m.) SOUTH AFRICA.

Description
HOLOTYPE WORKER. Matching description of genus but with the following specimen-specific characters. Size. Head width 3.87 mm; Head length 3.93 mm; Eye length 0.71 mm; Scape length 3.54 mm; Pronotal width 2.54 mm; Mesonotal-propodeal length 4.66 mm; Hind tibia length 4.04 mm; Cephalic index 99; Scape index 91; Eye index 18. Head (Fig. 1a, b). Mandibles glossy smooth with sparsely distributed punctures containing hairs. Fringe of black hairs on anterior surface, behind basal margin and basal tooth. Anterior clypeal margin with middle section broadly concave, projecting beyond the outer margins and meeting them in a right angle. Compound eyes situated slightly anterior to mid-length of head. Fine puncturing on head poorly defined and smeared in appearance. Golden pubescence on head sparse to absent, limited mainly to the posterior, the central region and anterior to eyes. Antennal scapes with sparse golden pubescence overlaid by sparse decumbent black hairs. Venter of head smooth to shagreenate with sparse golden pubescence and uniformly distributed short, black hairs. Mesosoma. Propodeal dorsum in profile mainly flat but curving down slightly to the metanotal groove and terminating posteriorly in dorsally projecting short spines (Fig. 1d). Slight indentation present about one quarter of the way from the metanotal groove. No distinct lateral margins to propodeal dorsum. A hairless shallow furrow passes from the dorsal edge of the propodeal spiracle, round its posterior edge, and across to above the dorsal edge of the metapleural gland opening. Mesosoma dorsum covered in fine, ill-defined punctate sculpture, some of the punctures flowing into one another. Sides with shagreenate sculpture. Mesosoma covered in sparse, fine, golden pubescence and dorsum with scattered subdecumbent short, black, pointed hairs. Petiole (Fig. 1d). Appearing as in description of genus. Covered in sparse golden pubescence and uniformly distributed subdecumbent short black hairs. Gaster. As described for genus. PARATYPE WORKERS. Matching the description of the genus and the holotype but with the following additional variation. Size. Head width 3.83-4.12 mm; Head length 3.79-4.11 mm; Eye length 0.70-0.77 mm; Scape length 3.54-3.77 mm; Pronotal width 2.82-2.70 mm; Mesonotal-propodeal length 4.55-4.93 mm; Hind tibia length 3.91-4.26 mm; Cephalic index 98-102; Scape index 89-94; Eye index 18-19 (n=6). ALL WORKERS. Size. Head width 3.43-4.46 mm; Head length 3.60-4.50 mm; Eye length 0.62-0.85 mm; Scape length 3.28-4.12 mm; Pronotal width 2.30-2.84 mm; Mesonotal-propodeal length 4.34-5.47 mm; Hind tibia length 3.80-4.80 mm; Cephalic index 95-102; Scape index 87-98; Eye index 17-21 (n=38). PARATYPE MALES. Size. Head width 2.26-2.42 mm; Head length 1.83-1.90 mm; Eye length 1.25-1.32 mm; Ocellus diameter 0.55-0.69 mm; Forewing length 13.46-13.81 mm; Hind tibia length 4.02-4.12 mm; Cephalic index 122-128; Eye index 53-57 (n = 6). ALL MALES. Size. Head width 2.02-2.51 mm; Head length 1.62-1.97 mm; Eye length 1.12-1.41 mm; Ocellus diameter 0.42-0.69 mm; Forewing length 13.46-14.83 mm; Hind tibia length 3.83-4.38 mm; Cephalic index 121-130; Eye index 53-57 (n = 12).