Strumigenys ascita

Identification
Bolton (2000) - A member of the Strumigenys silvestrii-group. Among the minute species of the silvestrii-group ascita is the only one to have two spiniform preapical teeth on the mandible. A similar dentition is developed in the smilax-group but this is a much larger species that has many features isolating it from silvestrii-group members (compare group diagnoses).

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Brazil.

Nomenclature

 *  ascita. Strumigenys ascita Bolton, 2000: 550 (w.) BRAZIL.

Worker
Holotype. TL 1.8, HL 0.44, HW 0.34, CI 77, ML 0.30, MI 68, SL 0.30, SI 88, PW 0.22, AL 0.43. Mandible with 2 spiniform preapical teeth, the distal about two times longer than the proximal. Distal preapical tooth about as long as distance separating it from apicodorsal tooth; proximal tooth located just proximal of mandibular midlength. Eye of only 1-2 ommatidia. Scape with an obtuse but very conspicuous subbasal bend. Ground-pilosity of cephalic dorsum and dorsal alitrunk spoon-shaped and distinctive. Curved hairs on leading edge of scape spoon-shaped and stout, shorter than maximum width of scape. Apicoscrobal hair a very short stub of simple fine hair (may be broken remnant of longer hair). Cephalic dorsum with a pair of short erect hairs close to occipital margin. Pronotal humeral hair flagellate; standing hairs absent from mesonotum. First gastral tergite with numerous spatulate hairs that are subappressed and are directed medially or posteromedially; extreme apex of first tergite, and tergites 2 and 3, each with a few erect fine flagellate hairs. On dorsum of hind femur the gland bulla is distal of the midlength. Petiole node in dorsal view broader than long; ventral surface of petiole without spongiform tissue but lateral lobe developed and spongiform. Mesopleuron and metapleuron smooth. Disc of postpetioie reticulate-punctate. Basigastral costulae fine and numerous, longer at maximum than disc of postpetiole.

Paratype. TL 1.7, HL 0.45, HW 0.34, CI 76, ML 0.28, MI 62, SL 0.28, SI 83, PW 0.22, AL 0.44.

Type Material
Holotype worker, Brazil: Arnawnas, Manaus, Dirnona, 19.i.1994, #71 (R. Didham).

Paratype. 1 worker, Brazil: Macapa-Arnapa, Rod. Duque de Caixas, krn. 9, 19.x.1997, 78T (J. M. Vilhena).