Strumigenys caniophanoides

Nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
Baroni Urbani & De Andrade (2007) - A member of the caniophanes complex in the Strumigenys caniophanes-group. Resembling Strumigenys caniophanes and Strumigenys paraposta but differing from caniophanes by the mandibles with a preapical denticle (without denticle on caniophanes), by the rugae on the side of mesosoma irregular and sparser, and from paraposta by its larger size (TL 3.38- 3.42 mm instead of 2.9-3.0 mm) and by the dorsolateral margin of the head with more than 5 hairs projecting laterally, and from both, caniophanes and paraposta, by the SI 80.0-81.7 instead of 68-78.

Among the 12 species of the caniophanes-complex S. caniophanoides is particularly similar to caniophanes and paraposta. S. caniophanoides shares with caniophanes the large size and the dorsolateral sides of the head in full dorsal view with more than 5 projecting hairs. S. caniophanoides shares with paraposta the pleurae with irregular rugae, the lower mesopleurae largely smooth and the presence of preapical dentition on the mandibles.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: Bhutan, Nepal.

Nomenclature

 *  caniophanoides. Strumigenys caniophanoides De Andrade, in Baroni Urbani & De Andrade, 2007: 153, fig. 53 (w.) BHUTAN.

Worker
TL 3.42; HL 0.82; HW 0.60; SL 0.49; ML 0.40; EL 0.08; WL 0.90; CI 73.2; SI 81.7; MI 48.8.

Nepalese worker: TL 3.38; HL 0.82; HW 0.00; SL 0.48; ML 0.40; EL 0.08; WL 0.88; CI 73.2; SI 80.0; MI 48.8.

Head with sides converging anteriorly and with round occipital corners. Frontal lobes weakly expanded and convex. Antennal fossae ventrally with a marked carina visible in full-face view, straight, covering the lower margin of the scrobes and ending in front of the eyes. Eyes small, with 5 ommatidia in the longest row, placed over the ventral margin of the antennal scrobes, and visible in dorsal view. With head in profile the scrobe distinct, with weakly marked upper and lower margins. Clypeal dorsum concave medially. Lateral clypeal margin gently converging anteriorly into a straight margin. Scapes subcylindrical, about 3/5 of the head length and surpassing the eyes posteriorly. Antennae with six joints. Apical funicular joint slightly shorter than the rest of the funiculus. Mandibles elongate, basally and apically weakly convex and medially straight. Apical fork of the mandibles with two spiniform teeth and one intercalary denticle. Preapical dentition consisting of one tooth near the apex.

Mesosoma in profile weakly convex anteriorly and sloping posteriorly. Propodeal teeth pointed; declivous propodeal face marginate only.

Petiole with a long neck and with low and long node. Ventral surface of the petiole with a broad spongiform lamina. Petiolar node with posterior margin surrounded by spongiform process that in profile covers the posterior third of the node's sides. Postpetiole gently convex in side view. Anterior, lateral and posterior faces of the postpetiole surrounded by spongiform processes broader posteriorly. Ventral surface of the postpetiole with large and dense spongiform process.

Gaster oval and with thin, short costulae. Base of the first gastral tergite and sternite with spongiform pad larger on the tergite.

Sculpture. Head coarsely and densely reticulate-punctuate. Mesosoma reticulate-punctuate and with irregular longitudinal rugosities; the rugosities slightly more regular on the pleurae and missing on the lower mesopleurae. Petiole and postpetiole densely reticulate-punctuate. Gaster smooth. Outer face of fore coxae with transversal rugosities.

Pilosity. Head, mesosoma, petiole and postpetiole with appressed, thin hairs. Dorsolateral margin of the head in full-face view with more than 5 freely laterally projecting hairs. Cephalic dorsum at level of the eyes with fine standing hairs of different lengths. Pronotal humeral hairs long and flagellate. Dorsum of the mesosoma, petiole, postpetiole and gaster with erect, fine hairs of different lengths, longer on the gaster. Femora, tibiae and tarsi with numerous erect, fine hairs of different lengths, two of which on the tibiae and two of which on the tarsi much longer than the others.

Colour. Reddish brown.

Type Material
Holotype worker (unique) from Bhutan labelled: Phuntsholing, 2/400 m, 16.IV.1972, Nat. Hist. Museum Basel-Bhutan Expedition.

Etymology
From the existing Strumigenys species name camiophanes and the Greek (= look), referred to the similarity between calliophalles and the new species.