Strumigenys sutrix

Known from just a few collections, with records stating one was from a rainforest and another noting it was taken in a pitfall-trap.

Identification
Bolton (2000) - A member of the Strumigenys emmae-group. Very close to Strumigenys emmae but larger, with a narrower head and longer scapes (compare measurements). The leading edge of the scape in Strumigenys sutrix is quite evenly convex, not forming an obtusely angular lobe as in emmae. Also, the disc of the postpetiole in sutrix, in dorsal view, is narrower and more convex so that the lateral margins of the disc do not have conspicuously protruding spongiform tissue visible.

Identification Keys including this Taxon

 * Key to Australian Strumigenys Species

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Nomenclature

 *  sutrix. Strumigenys sutrix Bolton, 2000: 953 (w.) AUSTRALIA.

Worker
HOLOTYPE. TL 2.0, HL 0.55, HW 0.40, CI 73, ML 0.17, MI 31, SL 0.28, SI 70, PW 0.25, AL 0.54. Exposed length of fully closed mandible less than width of anterior clypeal margin. Preapical dentition of mandible a spiniform preapical tooth and a low blunt welt between this and the apicodorsal tooth. Antenna with 4 segments; second funicular segment distinctly longer than broad. Cephalic dorsum with very broadly spoon-shaped or orbicular hairs; upper scrobe margin fringed with similar hairs and with a more slender apicoscrobal hair that is short clavate or narrowly spoon-shaped. Occipital margin of head without short erect hairs. Leading edge of scape shallowly convex but not expanded into an obtuse angle in the median third of its length. Pronotal humeral hair stoutly clavate. Ground-pilosity of pronotal dorsum as head but the hairs tending to be smaller. Mesonotum without erect hairs. Promesonotal dorsum reticulate-punctate, without longitudinal rugulae. Disc of postpetiole usually with weak sculpture at least in part. Sides of postpetiole disc in dorsal view bare, without projecting spongiform tissue but with a few posteriorly curved spoon-shaped hairs. First gastral tergite with short suberect to erect stubbly hairs that are spatulate or broadened and flattened apically. Basigastral costulae longer than postpetiole disc.

PARATYPE. TL 2.0, HL 0.54-0.55, HW 0.39-0.40, CI 71-74, ML 0.17, MI 30-31, SL 0.28-0.29, SI 70-73, PW 0.25, AL 0.54-0.55 (4 measured).

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Andersen A. N., M. Houadria, M. Berman, and M. van der Geest. Rainforest ants of the Tiwi Islands: a remarkable centr of endemism in Australia's monsoonal tropics. Insectes Sociaux 59: 433-441.