Strumigenys inquilina

This inquiline is known from a type series of queens collected from nests of Strumigenys lujae.

Identification
A member of the Strumigenys lujae-group.

Bolton (1983) - This series of females, found in a nest of the common Strumigenys lujae, constitutes the first known socially parasitic dacetine in the Afrotropical region. It is easily distinguished from the female of the host-species, as follows.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon.

Nomenclature

 *  inquilina. Serrastruma inquilina Bolton, 1983: 342 (q.) DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO. Combination in Pyramica: Bolton, 1999: 1673; in Strumigenys: Baroni Urbani & De Andrade, 2007: 121. See also: Bolton, 2000: 314.

Worker
Holotype. TL 3.0, HL 0.65, HW 0.48, CI 74, ML 0.22, MI 34, SL 0.52, SI 108, PW 0.48, AL 0.80.

Mandibular denticles very gradually increasing in size towards base. Antennal scrobes vestigial, the upper scrobe margins not differentiated behind the level of the anterior margin of the eye; behind this point the dorsum of the head rounding into the sides. Flagellate hairs absent from the head. Clypeus glassy smooth, dorsum of head finely and densely punctate, the punctures superficial and the surface shining. Pilosity of head consisting entirely of fine simple curved hairs which are directed anteriorly except in the vicinity of the ocelli where they are directed approximately towards the mid-dorsal point. Dorsum of head without elongate standing specialized hairs. With the alitrunk in profile the propodeum unarmed, without trace of teeth. Sides of pronotum densely reticulate-punctate, the lateral portions of the mesoscutum, above the pronotum, more finely punctulate. Mesopleuron smooth except for the strip immediately below the wing insertion which is punctate. Metapleuron punctate in the upper half, smooth below. Sides of propodeum densely reticulate-punctate. Mesoscutum with a broad central smooth area but the periphery of the sclerite tending to be punctulate. Scutellum weakly punctulate, the propodeum densely reticulate-punctate. With the pedicel segments in profile spongiform appendages are absent from the petiole and very reduced on the postpetiole where they are represented only by a small lateral and ventral lobe. In dorsal view the petiole node smooth, as long as broad and lacking a transverse lamellar or spongiform strip posteriorly. Postpetiole slightly broader than long, smooth, and having a narrow lamellate strip traversing the posterior margin. First gastral tergite smooth, without trace of basal costulae. Pilosity everywhere on dorsal surfaces of alitrunk, petiole, postpetiole and gaster consisting of quite dense fine simple soft curved hairs which are subdecumbent to decumbent, pointed apically and directed approximately towards the midline on the alitrunk and posteriorly on the pedicel segments and the gaster; without long flagellate or any other specialized hairs. Colour yellow.

Paratype. TL 2.9-3.1, HL 0.64-0.68, HW 0.46-0.48, CI 71-74, ML 0.20·22, MI 30-34, SL 0.50-0.52, SI 108-113, PW 0.46-0.48, AL 0.78-0.85 (7 measured).

As holotype, the petiole node in dorsal view may be fractionally longer than broad.

Type Material
Holotype female (alate), Zaire ('B. Congo' on data label): S. slope of Mt Kahuzi, 1900 m, 5.ix.1957, in nest of Serrastruma lujae (Forel) (E. S. Ross & R. E. Leech).

Paratypes. 7 females with same data as holotype (CASC; ; ).