Strumigenys mira

Identification
Bolton (2000) - A member of the Strumigenys oxysma-group. The unique specimen of this species is the most derived member of the oxysma-group known to date. The recurved clypeal hairs are very fine and inconspicuous in full-face view, with none projecting laterally across the base of the mandibles. S. mira is the only member of the group with straight hairs that project from the leading edge of the scape at right-angles to its long axis. These two characters, combined with the minute eye and long flagellate hairs that project from the tibiae and basitarsi, render mira very distinct from other members of the group. Only Strumigenys sardonica approaches mira in fineness and density of clypeal pilosity, but sardonica lacks the specialised characters of mira just mentioned and has the clypeal disc unsculptured, which in mira is finely sculptured and dull.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: South Africa.

Nomenclature

 *  mira. Pyramica mira Bolton, 2000: 324 (w.) SOUTH AFRICA. Combination in Strumigenys: Baroni Urbani & De Andrade, 2007: 124

Worker
Holotype. TL 2.2, HL 0.54, HW 0.40, CI 74, ML 0.12, MI 22, SL 0.27, SI 68, PW 0.24, AL 0.56. Margins of clypeus in full-face view with a few fine anteriorly curved short simple hairs; without distinctly recurved hairs that project laterally. Dorsum of clypeus with erect slender hairs that are filiform or feebly clavate apically. Those near the anterior and anterolateral margins are recurved, those situated on the disc arch medially and slightly posteriorly. Hairs on dorsum of head filiform and truncated apically, in profile they curve anteriorly in the area above and behind the frontal lobes, curve medially from there to the highest point of the vertex, and curve anteriorly behind this point. Just in front of the occipital margin is a transverse row of much longer erect filiform hairs that curve weakly forward. Dorsolateral margin of head with two long flagellate hairs, one apicoscrobal the other closer to the occipital corner. Leading edge of scape with a spaced row of anteriorly projecting simple hairs, of which the three longest each arise from a small tumulus. Eye minute and difficult to see, composed of only one or two small inconspicuous ommatidia. Pronotal dorsum weakly marginate laterally, with a few vestigial longitudinal costulae on each side of the median carina; pronotum mostly shining but with vestigial superficial reticulate ground-sculpture. Mesonotum reticulate-punctate, propodeum smooth and sharply marginate laterally. Dorsal (outer) surface of middle and hind tibiae and basitarsi each with one or two long flagellate hairs that are very much longer than the maximum width of the segment from which they arise. Transverse posterior collar of petiole lamellate rather than spongiform. Disc of postpetiole in dorsal view surrounded laterally with dense spongiform tissue, the latter absent from the posterior margin.

Type Material
Holotype worker, South Africa: South Cape Prov., Tsitsikama, Lottering For. Res., 12.xii.1979, E-Y 1419, sifting (S. Endrody-Younga).