Strumigenys nubila

Lattke and Aguirre (2015) - With the discovery of Strumigenys lojanensis it is possible to discern a group of 5 northern andean species of the gundlachi complex with a preference for cold forests above 2000 m altitude, where the presence of most ants is negligible (Longino, 2014). The other species are Strumigenys enopla, known from altitudes between 1900 and 2200 m in SW Colombia, Strumigenys nubila, sampled from altitudes between 2000 and 2500 m in Colombia and Venezuela, Strumigenys vartana, a Colombian species known from altitudes between 1800 and 2530 m and Strumigenys heterodonta which was recently described from 2940 m altitude in Ecuador (Rigato & Scupola, 2008).

Identification
Bolton (2000) - Within the gundlachi-complex two species, Strumigenys lalassa and Strumigenys nubila, are characterised as follows.

1 Mandibles long, MI 64 - 72, their inner margins shallowly convex in the basal half to two-thirds but concave in the apical third to half.

2 Two small denticles arise from the surface between the apicodorsal and apicoventral teeth of the apical fork.

3 Preapical dentition is restricted to the apical third and consists of 4 - 8 teeth and denticles, always with 2 short-spiniform teeth, the proximal of which is longer than the distal.

4 Flagellate hairs are absent and the hairs on the leading edge of the scape are coarse and broad, flattened or spoon-shaped.

5 Disc of postpetiole may be smooth with fine costulae or reticulate-punctate.

The two species are separated by their very different pilosity and postpetiolar sculpture.

Distribution
Colombia and Venezuela

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Colombia, Venezuela.

Nomenclature

 *  nubila. Strumigenys nubila Lattke & Goitía, 1997: 387, fig. 37 (w.) VENEZUELA. Combination in Pyramica: Bolton, 1999: 1673; in Strumigenys: Baroni Urbani & De Andrade, 2007: 125. See also: Bolton, 2000: 191.

Worker
Bolton (2000) - TL 3.2-3.3, HL 0.67-0.70, HW 0.56-0.58, CI 80-84, ML 0.45-0.49, MI 64-67, SL 0.34-0.39, SI 63-70, PW 0.37-0.39, AL 0.78-0.81 (2 measured, and measurements from Lattke & Goitia manuscript). Characters of gundlachi-complex. Inner margin of mandible shallowly convex in basal two-thirds, concave in apical third. Apex of mandible with two intercalary denticles between apicodorsal and apicoventral teeth. Preapical dentition of mandible of 4 - 6 denticles or small teeth. Proximally with 1 or 2 denticles located about where the margin changes from convex to concave; these are followed distally by a short spiniform tooth, a lower narrower small tooth, and 1 or 2 dentic1es before the apicodorsal tooth. Cephalic dorsum densely clothed with short spatulate ground-pilosity. Apicoscrobal hair stout, clavate. Cephalic dorsum with a single pair of stout standing hairs, close to occipital margin. Pronotal humeral hair stout, remiform or flattened apically. Dorsal alitrunk with a single pair of standing hairs, on the mesonotum. Mesopleuron smooth and shining. Disc of postpetiole mostly smooth and shining, with sparse fine longitudinal costulae but not reticulate-punctate.

Type Material
Bolton (2000) - Strumigenys nubila Lattke & Goitfa, 1997: 387, fig. 37. Holotype and paratype workers, VENEZUELA: Edo. Merida, ca Estacion de Teleferico "La Montana", 2440 m., 27.vi.1989 (S. & J. Peck). Paratype workers, VENEZUELA: same data as holotype but 2450 m., 26.vii.1989; Edo. Lara, 9 km. S E Babacoas, 9°46'N, 70°00'W, 2000 m., 22.viii.1987, no. 8920-30 ( P. S. Ward); COLOMBIA: Depto. Risaralda, Transecto Parque Los Nevados, vertiente oeste, 2500 m., 1980, TPN 42 (T. van der Hammen) (,, , , , , and in coll. P. S . Ward) (paratypes examined).