Strumigenys mekaha

Identification
Bolton (1983) - Among the known species of the weberi-complex only 3, Strumigenys kerasma, mekaha and Strumigenys weberi, have the metanotal groove impressed. Of these weberi is recognised by the very strong impression in the posterior margin of the spongiform strip bordering the postpetiole posteriorly. This impression is so deep in weberi that it reaches to the margin of the postpetiolar disc, whereas in kerasma and mekaha the impression is shallow and there is always a wide expanse of spongiform material between the posterior margin of the postpetiolar disc and the deepest point of the impression. Other differences from weberi are tabulated under kerasma. S. kerasma and mekaha are separated by the form of the cephalic pilosity, which in the former consists of numerous standing hairs which are erect basally but pass through an obtuse angle near their midlengths so that their upper portions are directed forwards. In mekaha, on the other hand, all the cephalic hairs are strongly arched forwards from base to apex so that their apices are in contact with the surface some distance in front of their bases.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Cameroun.

Nomenclature

 *  mekaha. Smithistruma mekaha Bolton, 1983: 305 (w.) CAMEROUN. Combination in Pyramica: Bolton, 1999: 1673; in Strumigenys: Baroni Urbani & De Andrade, 2007: 123. See also: Bolton, 2000: 338.

Worker
Bolton (1983) - Holotype. TL 2.6, HL 0.70, HW 0.46, CI 66, ML 0.06, MI 9, SL 0.31, SI 65, PW 0.32, AL 0.71.

Principal dental row of 5 teeth, dentition as described for kerasma. Anterior clypeal margin extremely shallowly convex, the anterolateral angles rounded. Lateral margins of clypeus very feebly divergent posteriorly, the preocular lamellae continuing the lines of the clypeal margins in full-face view but slightly convergent posteriorly. Lateral and anterior margins of clypeus with fine simple hairs which are directed forward or forward and upward, the clypeal dorsum with some erect curved fine hairs. Behind the level of the clypeus all hairs on the cephalic dorsum are fine, simple and strongly arched forward so that their apices are in contact with the surface some distance in front of their bases. Lateral margins of head with some freely projecting fine hairs and with curved hairs like those on the dorsum. Upper scrobe margins divergent behind the frontal lobes, the sides of the head behind the level of the scrobes irregularly convex. Occipital margin concave and with a narrow bordering rim or flange. Clypeus irregularly rugose, the sculpture much weaker than on the cephalic dorsum. Dorsum of head coarsely irregularly rugose to coarsely punctate-rugose, the rugae in places surrounding small foveolate punctures from which the hairs arise. Scapes narrow at base, broadening to a maximum at about the midlength then narrowing again to the apex. Leading edges of scapes with fine projecting simple hairs. Pronotum not marginate laterally, without a median longitudinal ridge or carina. Metanotal groove shallowly but conspicuously impressed. In profile the propodeal teeth short and stout, the infradental lamellae very narrow and with concave free margins. Sides of pronotum, metapleuron and propodeum coarsely irregularly rugose, contrasting strongly with the mesopleuron which is sculptured with fine sharply incised small separate punctures on a smooth surface. Pronotal dorsum very coarsely irregularly longitudinally rugose, the rugae and the small spaces between them smooth. Mesonotum similarly sculptured, propodeum rugose towards the sides but the centre of the dorsum with a few deformed punctures. Dorsal alitrunk with numerous fine simple hairs. Spongiform appendages of pedicel segments massively developed. In profile the ventral spongiform appendage of the petiole forming a lobe anteriorly which is suddenly narrowed at about the level of the ascending face of the node and then broadened again behind, as if a broadly triangular notch had been cut in the ventral margin of the spongiform tissue. Ventral spongiform lobe of post petiole very large. Petiole node in dorsal view coarsely sculptured, with a thick posterior ruff of spongiform material which is almost as thick at its midlength (its narrowest point) as the dorsum of the node is long, the spongiform material becoming even thicker laterally. Postpetiolar disc unsculptured, smooth and shining, surrounded on all sides by dense spongiform tissue. Anterior margin of postpetiole bounded by a transverse spongiform strip, the sides bounded by projecting spongiform tissue which is narrowest anteriorly. Posterior spongiform strip of postpetiole with its posterior margin very weakly indented medially, the indentation very shallow and not approaching the margin of the disc; with a thick band of spongiform material separating the posteriormost point of the disc from the base of the impression. Base of first gastral tergite with a broad dense spongiform strip which is not traversed by the basigastral costulae; the latter short but strongly defined on the base of the tergite proper. Pilosity of petiole, postpetiole and gaster entirely of fine simple hairs. Colour brown

Paratype. TL 26. HL 0.70, HW 0.47, CI 67, ML 0.07, MI 10, SL 0.31, SI 66, PW 0.33, AL 0.73. As holotype.

Type Material
Bolton (1983) - Holotype worker, Cameroun: nr Yaounde, sample ABH (G. Terron). Paratype. 1 worker with same data as holotype.