Strumigenys disarmata

Collected from rainforest, Strumigenys disarmata has been found in litter, rotten logs and a rotting tuber root.

Identification
Bolton (2000) - A member of the Strumigenys szalayi-group. The lack of distinctly developed propodeal teeth renders disarmata immediately recognisable within the group.

Distribution
Eastern highlands of New Guinea.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Indo-Australian Region: New Guinea.

Nomenclature

 *  disarmata. Strumigenys disarmata Brown, 1971c: 80, fig. 6 (w.q.) NEW GUINEA. See also: Bolton, 2000: 903.

Worker
Holotype worker: TL 3.8, HI 0.99 HW 0.70, ML 0.57. WL 0.92, scape L 0.72 mm.; CI 71, MI 58.

Similar in form to Strumigenys szalayi and Strumigenys hemichlaena, but larger, with longer mandibles and with the following additional differences:

1. Propodeal dorsum convex posteriorly, terminating in a pair of obtuse tubercles or angles representing the reduced propodeal teeth.

2. Petiole longer and more slender, with a low, gradually rounded node (but much less extreme in this than in Strumigenys stemonixys). Basigastric costulae few and very short.

3 Color orange brown; vertex and middle of head, middle of alitrunk, and gaster more or less infuscated with darker brown; appendages, occipital lobes, anterior part of petiole and apex of gaster yellow to ferruginous-yellow.

Ten paratype workers from the type next series varied in size and proportions: TL 3.6-4.0, HL 0.96-1.02, HW 0.68-0.73, ML 0.55-0.60, WL 0.90-0.96, scape L. 0.67-0.73 mm.; CI 71-72, MI 57-59. Some workers, presumably half-callows, are lighter and more yellowish in color.

Bolton (2000) - TL 3.4-3.5, H L 0.94-1.00, HW 0.67-0.72, CI 70-72, ML 0.52-0.60, MI 55-60, SL 0.66-0.72, SI 98-103, PW 0.34-0.38, AL 0.93-0.98 (7 measured).

With head in profile the postocular concavity in the vetrolateral margin very distinct. Propodeal teeth vestigial, reduced to tiny obtuse tubercles or even reduced to mere rounded angles. Side of alitrunk reticulate-punctate except for a small unsculptured patch on katepisternum. Hairs on first gastral tergite similar to those on postpetiole. Colour a mixture of varying shades of brown to uniform dark brown with lighter legs.

Queen
The larger of two dealate females has TL 4.2, HL 1.00, HW 0.74, ML 0.57, WL 1.02, scape L 0.70 mm.; CI 74, MI 57. Propodeum with short by acute triangular teeth. Color mahogany; with central dorsum of head and dorsum of alitrunk almost black; clypeus and occipital lobes orange-brown; mandibles, antennae and legs bright ferruginous yellow.

Type Material
Holotype (Queensland Museum) with type next series of numerous workers and two dealate females (paratypes in Queensland Museum, ) from Benaga, about 25 miles southwest of Aiyura, N. E. New Guinea, taken in leaf mold of Nothofagus forest (by Berlese funnel) at an altitude of about 2000 m., 12 August, 1956, T. E. Woodward.