Strumigenys alexetrix

Identification
Bolton (2000) - Among the close relatives of Strumigenys friedae in the smythiesii-complex only Strumigenys harpyia and alexetrix share the character combination of single laterally projecting flagellate hair on the upper scrobe margin (the apicoscrobal hair) with presence of a pair of erect hairs on the pronotal dorsum in addition to the humeral hairs. S. harpyia is a smaller species with shorter scapes than alexetrix (compare measurements). See also notes under friedae.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Nomenclature

 *  alexetrix. Strumigenys alexetrix Bolton, 2000: 956 (w.) AUSTRALIA.

Worker
Holotype. TL 2.6, HL 0.66, HW 0.46, CI 70, ML 0.28, MI 42, SL 0.38, SI 83, PW 0.29, AL 0.70. With characters of smythiesii-complex. Apicoscrobal hair flagellate, long and straggly. Cephalic dorsum sharply reticulate-punctate and with a single pair of erect fine hairs, located close to midline near occipital margin (absent in nonparatypic specimens). Eye with less than 20 ommatidia; about 12 in holotype. Pronotal humeral hair flagellate, very long and fine; pronotal dorsum with a pair of equally long erect flagellate hairs and sometimes also with another shorter pair. Mesonotum with 1-2 pairs of erect flagellate hairs, the anterior pair the longest. Pronotal dorsum finely granulate to weakly reticulate-punctulate, a few extremely weak longitudinal rugulae may be present, formed by alignment of punctulae margins. Mesonotal and propodeal dorsa reticulate-punctate. Propodeal declivity with a narrow lamella, its posterior (free) margin concave below propodeal tooth but convex thereafter. Katepisternum entirely reticulate-punctate or with a median patch where the sculpture is superficial or effaced; metapleuron and side of propodeum finely reticulate-punctate everywhere. Dorsum of petiole node finely reticulate-punctate; disc of postpetiole smooth. Hairs on first gastral tergite long and fine, flagellate.

Paratype. HL 0.67, HW 0.46, CI 69, ML 0.28, MI 42, SL 0.38, SI 83.

Dimensions of non-paratypic workers. TL 2.4, HL 0.62-0.63, HW 0.45, CI 71-73, ML 0.27, MI 43-44, SL 0.36, SI 80, PW 0.28, AL 0.66 (2 measured).

Type Material
Holotype worker, Australia: New South Wales, Tallagawda State Forest, nr Captains Flat, wet sclero., 15.x.1975, 2 workers in galleries of Amblyopone australis (B. B. Lowery). [Holotype is top worker of two on pin.] Paratype. 1 worker with same data a s holotype (ANIC). [Lower worker of two on pin.]