Strumigenys thuvida

The handful of records of this species suggest it is a forest litter-dwelling species.

Identification
A member of the Strumigenys thuvida-group.

Bolton (1983) - G. thuvida and Strumigenys trymala are closely related and together are separated from Strumigenys tukulta as tabulated below. Differences between thuvida and trymala are given under the latter.

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

Nomenclature

 *  thuvida. Glamyromyrmex thuvidus Bolton, 1983: 332, fig. 31 (w.) KENYA. Combination in Pyramica: Bolton, 1999: 1672; in Strumigenys: Baroni Urbani & De Andrade, 2007: 129. See also: Bolton, 2000: 333.

Worker
Holotype. TL 1.6, HL 0.43, HW 0.29, CI 67, ML 0.08, MI 19, SL 0.19, SI 66, PW 0.21, AL 0.41.

On the mandible the first tooth following the basal lamella small, about half the size of the second tooth. Remaining teeth of the principal dental row showing some slight variation in size but none radically reduced. In profile the upper and lower mandibular margins diverging from base to apex, the upper margin weakly elevated anteriorly above the level of the anterior clypeal margin; the apical (masticatory) margin arched-downcurved. Anterior clypeal margin transverse, the lateral margins not expanded, converging behind to the convex frontal lobes, the width across which, from side to side, is only slightly less than the maximum width of the clypeus. Upper scrobe margins distinctly indented behind the frontal lobes, convex and divergent posteriorly. Occipital margin shallowly concave. Eyes vestigial, consisting of only one or two ommatidia, situated on the ventral scrobe margins and the diameter of the eye less than that of the foveolate punctures which occur on the side of the head behind the scrobe. Antennal scapes very weakly clavate, the leading edges gently convex and with apically directed fine curved short hairs. Clypeus with closely appressed short spatulate to scale-like hairs. Behind the clypeus the cephalic dorsum with fine standing hairs which are arched or curved, mostly directed towards the midline; posteriorly some of the arched hairs are directed forwards. Behind the clypeus the curved hairs are narrowly spatulate, more posteriorly they are simple but some are minutely bifurcated at the apex. Sides of head with 4 pairs of laterally projecting long flagellate hairs, the occipital margin with another pair towards the outer edges but these tend to be directed upwards. Clypeus smooth and shining. Central strip of cephalic dorsum from between the frontal lobes approximately to the highest point of the vertex mostly smooth, with a few extremely minute fine rugular vestiges which are very indistinct. Dorsum behind and on each side of this area with broad coarse foveolate punctures which give the surface a cratered appearance. The head shiny and smooth between the punctures. Anterior border of pronotum marginate, the sides rounded and not marginate. Sides of mesonotum and propodeum weakly marginate, the two confluent dorsally, not separated by a transverse ridge or crest and the metanotal groove absent. Propodeal teeth mostly incorporated in the infradental lamellae, with just a minute point projecting. Sides of alitrunk smooth except for a few foveolate punctures anteriorly on the pronotum. Dorsal alitrunk smooth and shining everywhere, devoid of sculpture. Pronotum at the humeri with a pair of laterally directed long flagellate hairs, the dorsum with two vertically directed pairs, one situated anteriorly and the other posteriorly. Mesonotum with a single flagellate pair directed vertically. Otherwise the dorsal alitrunk only with scattered fine hairs which arch towards the midline, some of these hairs minutely bifurcate apically. With the pedicel segments in profile the ventral petiolar appendage reduced to an anteriorly situated broad lobe beneath the peduncle, the lobe petering out about on a level with the highest point of the node. Lateral and ventral appendages of postpetio!e large but delicate and blister-like, translucent and with minute weak veins present. Petiole in dorsal view with the node transverse, much broader than long, smooth and shining. Lateral spongiform appendages vestigial, reduced to a minute and scarcely visible strip on each side, without a transverse lamella connecting them across the posterior face of the node. Postpetiole in dorsal view smooth and shining, the blister-like appendages prominent on each side and the anteriormost parts of the ventral appendage visible, projecting in front of the anterior margin of the lateral appendage on each side. Anterior and posterior margins of postpetiolar disc bordered by a narrow lamella, the disc itself roughly trapezoidal in shape, narrowing posteriorly and with broadly rounded anterolateral corners, the anterior margin deeply concave. Base of first gastral tergite lamellar, the lamella deeply concave and almost interrupted medially. Basigastral costulae arise on each side of this concavity. Dorsal surfaces of petiole, postpetiole and first gastral tergite each with scattered fine simple hairs which are mostly erect to suberect. Colour glossy dull yellow.

Paratype. TL 1.6, HL 0.44, HW 0.29, CI 66, ML 0.09, MI 20, SL 0.20, SI 69, PW 0.22, AL 0.43. As holotype.

Bolton (2000) - TL 1.6-2.0, HL 0.42-0.50, HW 0.28-0.34, CI 66-68, ML 0.08-0.10, MI 18-24, SL 0.18-0.22, SI 64-69, PW 0.21-0.26, AL 0.41-0.51 (10 measured).

Type Material
Holotype worker, Kenya: Embu, Kirimiri Forest, W. of Runyenje, 1550 m, 3.x.1977 (V. Mahnert & l.-L. Perret).

Paratype. 1 worker with same data as holotype.