Strumigenys orthanetes

The type specimens were found in a rotten log in a rainforest.

Identification
Bolton (2000) - A member of the Strumigenys mayri-group. The presence of a preapical denticle on the mandible and a pair of erect hairs on the pronotal dorsum (as well as the humeral pair) will also separate orthanetes from Strumigenys paranetes and Strumigenys dysanetes, where both are absent. Also, orthanetes has much longer mandibles and scapes than dysanetes (compare measurements) and appears always to be lighter in colour than paranetes as the latter is uniformly dark brown to blackish brown. The mandibular index in orthanetes averages higher (MI 47-51) than in anetes and paranetes (combined MI 44-47).

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Nomenclature

 *  orthanetes. Strumigenys orthanetes Bolton, 2000: 980, figs. 533, 548 (w.) AUSTRALIA.

Worker
Holotype. TL 2.9, HL 0.80, HW 0.53, CI 66, ML 0.38, MI 48, SL 0.52, SI 99, PW 0.30, AL 0.75. Answering the description of anetes but differing as follows. Mandible with a minute denticle close to the apicodorsal tooth. Pronotal dorsum with a pair of standing hairs located posterior to the humeral pair. Lamella on propodeal declivity broad, its posterior (free) margin convex. Head and alitrunk dull brownish yellow, gaster somewhat darker.

Paratypes. TL 2.8-2.9, HL 0.77-0.80, HW 0.51-0.53, CI 66-68, ML 0.38-0.40, MI 48-51, SL 0.49-0.54, SI 96-104, PW 0.29-0.30, AL 0.73-0.75 (5 measured).

Dimensions of non-paratypic workers. TL 2.5-2.7, HL 0.72-0.78, HW 0.48-0.53, CI 67-70, ML 0.34-0.39, MI 47-50, SL 0.45-0.52, SI 90-98, PW 0.27-0.29, AL 0.66-0.70 (15 measured).

Type Material
Holotype worker, Australia: Qld, Mt Haig, 1150 m., 17.06S, 145.36E, 29.x.1976, ex rotten log, rainforest, accession no. 76.287, ANIC ants vial 37.224 (R. W. Taylor & T. A. Weir). Paratypes. 8 workers with same data as holotype (ANIC, ).