Strumigenys ection

Known from the holotype worker, collected in a montane-rainforest litter sample.

Identification
Bolton (2000) - A member of the sphera complex in the Strumigenys arnoldi-group. S. ection is easily isolated from other members of the sphera-complex by the presence of 2 pairs of erect hairs on the mesonotum.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Malagasy Region: Madagascar.

Nomenclature

 *  ection. Strumigenys ection Fisher, in Bolton, 2000: 659 (w.) MADAGASCAR.

Worker
Holotype. TL 4.0, HL 0.97, HW 0.82, CI 85, ML 0.50, MI 52, SL 0.67, SI 82, PW 0.44, AL 0.96. Characters of sphera-complex. Each mandible with 1 preapical tooth, situated in the apical third of the length. Upper scrobe margin not bordered by a projecting laminar rim throughout its length, eyes clearly visible in full-face view. Eye small, convex, its maximum diameter slightly greater than the maximum width of scape. Scape more or less subcylindrical, narrowed near base, approximately straight; hairs on leading edge narrowly spatulate. Cephalic dorsum densely clothed with curved narrowly spatulate ground-pilosity; upper scrobe margin fringed with hairs that are similar in size and shape as those on the dorsum. Cephalic dorsum with 4 pairs of long stout standing remiform hairs arranged as follows: transverse row of 3 pairs close to the occipital margin and 1 pair of erect hairs on vertex. Dorsum of head reticulate-punctate with superimposed rugulose sculpture. Pronotal humeral hair absent. Promesonotal margin with 2 pairs of stout standing narrowly spatulate hairs, anterior pair located on central dorsum, posterior pair situated on lateral margin. Propodeum with two pairs of short, posteriorly curved narrowly spatulate hairs immediately anterior of propodeal spines. Ground-pilosity on alitrunk dorsum as on head but sparser. Dorsum of alitrunk in outline convex anteriorly, posterior mesonotum sharply depressed, propodeum more or less flat. Metanotal groove represented by a shallow impression. Humeral angles rounded, posterolateral margin of pronotum bluntly marginate and with a small raised welt. Propodeal spines narrowly triangular, margins spongiform, subtended by a narrow lamella dorsally; lamella absent near base. Alitrunk dorsum and sides of pronotum densely reticulate-punctate. Sides of pronotum with striolate sculpture anteriorly. Pleurae mostly smooth and shiny with reticulate-punctate sculpture peripherally. Petiole node in dorsal view approximately as long as broad. Postpetiole dorsum smooth centrally with lateral striolate sculpture. In profile ventral spongiform tissue of petiolar peduncle a broad curtain that is continuous along the base of the peduncle, depth of curtain is equal to or slightly greater than maximum width of eye. Ventral spongiform lobe of postpetiole moderately developed. Basigastral costulae distinct, radiating on both sides of a narrow central clear area. Dorsal surface of petiole, postpetiole, and gaster with stout standing narrowly spatulate hairs. Colour medium brown.

Type Material
Holotype worker, Madagascar: 38 km. S Ambalavao, Res. Andringitra, 22°12'S, 46°58'E, 1680 m., 23.x.1996, sifted litter (leaf mold, rotten wood), montane rainforest, #820 (36)-7 (B. L. Fisher).