Strumigenys synchysis

Identification
Bolton (2000) - A member of the ebbae complex in the Strumigenys koningsbergeri-group. This relatively small species is characterised by its combination of relatively long preapical tooth, uniquely shaped mandibular lamella, fully sculptured pleurae and side of propodeum, lack of a preocular impression and presence of two pairs of standing hairs on the pronotum (in addition to the humeral pair).

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

Nomenclature

 *  synchysis. Strumigenys synchysis Bolton, 2000: 854, fig. 455 (w.) WEST MALAYSIA.

Worker
Holotype. TL 2.0, HL 0.57, HW 0.45, CI 79, ML 0.21, MI 37, SL 0.26, SI 58, PW 0.26, AL 0.54. With characters of ebbae-complex. Preapical tooth stout, elongate-conical and weakly recurved, close to the apicodorsal tooth; length of preapical tooth greater than width of mandible at point where it arises. Inner margin of mandible with a convex-edged translucent lamella. Lamella commences about one-fifth the mandible length from the base (i.e. lamella terminates proximally well short of base of mandible), increases in width to about the mandible mid-length then narrows more abruptly, terminating some distance proximal of the preapical tooth. Outer margin of mandible shallowly convex from base to apicodorsal tooth. Upper scrobe margins evenly divergent and shallowly convex from frontal lobes posteriorly; eye invisible or only extreme tip of eye visible in full-face view. Ventrolateral margin of head without a preocular impression. Dorsum of head in profile with short erect hairs along occipital margin, 1-2 on dorsum of occipital lobe (probably a single pair should occur at highest point of vertex but this area scuffed and dirty). Pronotum with two pairs of short standing hairs, one close to anterodorsal margin (between humeral pair) and one more posteriorly. Mesonotum apparently with a single pair of short erect hairs. Katepisternum, metapleuron and side of propodeum entirely finely reticulate-punctate. Bullae of femoral glands small and inconspicuous on middle and hind legs. Lamella on propodeal declivity narrow, its posterior (free) margin shallowly concave. Dorsum of petiole node reticulate-punctate, much more densely sculptured than smooth disc of postpetiole. Standing hairs on first gastral tergite simple.

Type Material
Holotype worker, Malaysia: Negri Sembilan, Pasoh For. Res., xi.1994, litter sample (Brendell, Jackson & Lewis).

Determination Clarifications
This species was referred to as Strumigenys sp. 11 in Bolton, 1998b: 92.