Strumigenys serket

Identification
A member of the exiguaevitae complex in the Strumigenys leptothrix-group.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Malagasy Region: Madagascar.

Nomenclature

 *  serket. Pyramica serket Bolton, 2000: 349 (w.) MADAGASCAR. Combination in Strumigenys: Baroni Urbani & De Andrade, 2007: 127

Worker
Holotype. TL 2.7, HL 0.66, HW 0.46, CI 70, ML 0.10, MI 15, SL 0.31, SI 67, PW 0.30, AL 0.76. Characters of hoplites-complex; very similar to Strumigenys exiguaevitae but considerably smaller (compare measurements), mostly matching the description of that species but differing as follows.

1 Dorsum of petiole node in profile is longer and more convex from anterodorsal angle to posterior collar in Strumigenys serket than in exiguaevitae.

2 With petiole in profile the lateral spongiform lobe extends forward to the level of, or slightly in front of the level of, the anterior face of the node in serket. In exiguaevitae the spongiform lobe terminates behind the level of the node's anterior face.

3 In dorsal view the petiolar lateral spongiform lobes terminate at the level of the spiracles in serket; distinctly behind this level in exiguaevitae.

4 Length of petiole node in dorsal view, from anterior margin to start of the posterior collar, is longer than the postpetiole disc in serket, shorter than the disc in exiguaevitae.

Paratypes. TL 2.4-2.7, HL 0.60-0.66, HW 0.41-0.47, CI 68-71, ML 0.10, MI 15-17, SL 0.28-0.31, SI 64-68, PW 0.27-0.31, AL 0.68-0.78 (3measured).

Type Material
Holotype worker, Madagascar: 6.9 km. NE Ambanizana, 15°34' S, 50°00'E, 825 m., 2.xii.1993, sifted litter (leaf mold, rotten wood) rainforest, #976 (33)-1 (B.L. Fisher).

Paratypes. Madagascar: 2 workers, 6.3 km. S Ambanizana, Andranobe, 15°41'S, 49°57'E, 25 m., 14.xi.1993, sifted litter (leaf mold, rotten wood) rainforest, #886 (12)-2 (B.L. Fisher); 1 worker, 5.3 km. SSE Ambanizana, Andranobe, 15°40'S, 49°58'E, 425 m., 21.xi.1993, sifted litter (leaf mold, rotten wood) rainforest, #926 (2)-2 (B.L. Fisher).