Strumigenys vazerka

Identification
A member of the rogeri complex in the Strumigenys rogeri -group.

Bolton (1983) - The closest relative of vazerka is the Central African Strumigenys bernardi, but in the latter the left mandibular blade has lost the distal preapical tooth and the propodeal dorsum is reticulate-punctate.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Ghana, Ivory Coast.

Nomenclature

 *  vazerka. Strumigenys vazerka Bolton, 1983: 397, fig. 52 (w.q.) IVORY COAST. See also: Bolton, 2000: 606.

Worker
Holotype. TL 2.2, HL 0.58, HW 0.38, CI 66, ML 0.34, MI 59, SL 0.32, SI 84, PW 0.26, AL 0.54.

Mandibles in full-face view long, noticeably divergent from base to apex, and with the outer margins of the blades convex. Apical fork of each mandible with 2 spiniform teeth, without intercalary teeth or denticles. Preapical armament of each mandible of 2 teeth, a long spiniform proximal and a short distal. Upper scrobe margins not bounded by a projecting rim or flange, close together behind the frontal lobes and evenly divergent posteriorly; not concave or impressed above the eyes but still quite close together so that the eyes are clearly visible in full-face view. Preocular notch present, deep and conspicuous, the anterior portion of each eye detached from the side of the head. Preocular notch continued onto ventral surface of head as a broad groove or impression. Maximum diameter of eye greater than the maximum width of the scape. Antennal scapes relatively long, straight and slender, their leading edges with a row of narrowly spatulate hairs which are directed apically. Ground-pilosity of cephalic dorsum inconspicuous, of short narrowly spatulate hairs which are curved anteriorly. Upper scrobe margins bordered by a row of anteriorly curved spoon-shaped hairs which are distinctly much larger than the cephalic ground-pilosity. In profile the dorsum of the head with 6 approximately erect simple hairs which are arranged in a transverse row of 4 close to the occipital margin and a more anteriorly situated pair. Dorsum of head finely and shallowly reticulate-punctate. Pronotal humeri each with a fine flagellate hair. Mesonotum with a single pair of stout erect hairs which are broadened apically; dorsal alitrunk otherwise without standing pilosity; the ground-pilosity of minute sparse hairs which are closely applied to the surface. Posterior portion of mesonotum depressed and on the same level as the propodeum, the metanotal groove represented by a transverse line on the dorsum but not impressed. Propodeum armed with a pair of short triangular teeth which are subtended by a narrow infradental lamella on each side. Sides of alitrunk smooth, unsculptured except for some vestigial punctulation on the posterior propodeum. Pronotal dorsum feebly longitudinally costulate or striate, without punctate sculpture. Anterior portion of mesonotum with vestigial punctures, the depressed posterior portion more strongly punctate. Propodeal dorsum mostly smooth, with a very few vestigial punctures laterally. Petiole node punctate-granular dorsally, the postpetiole with some sparse vestigial longitudinal costulae, most conspicuous towards the sides of the disc. In profile the petiole with a narrow ventral spongiform strip. Lateral and ventral spongiform lobes of postpetiole moderately developed. In dorsal view the postpetiole with a transverse narrow spongiform strip posteriorly and the first gastral tergite with a similar but even narrower strip anteriorly. Basigastral costulae sharply defined. Petiole, postpetiole and gaster with stout standing hairs which are weakly clavate apically. Colour dull yellowish brown.

Paratypes. TL 1.9-2.2, HL 0.52-0.60, HW 0.36-0.40, CI 65-70, ML 0.28-0.34, MI 50-59, SL 0.29-0.34, SI 79-86, PW 0.22-0.28, AL 0.46-0.54 (15 measured).

As holotype but sculpture of alitrunk showing some variation. Sides usually smooth but in some peripheral faint punctulae are present. Dorsum of pronotum usually as holotype but in some the costulae are more pronounced and quite strong, and in others there is a faint punctulate component visible between the costulae. Anterior portion of mesonotum sometimes as distinctly punctate as the depressed posterior portion. Propodeal dorsum usually smooth but often with fine faint lateral or peripheral punctulae, but never punctulate all over the surface.

Type Material
Holotype worker, Ivory Coast: Man, Mt Tonkoui, 900 m, 13.x.1980 (V. Mahnert & J.-L. Perret). Paratypes. Ivory Coast: 11 workers with same data as holotype; 22 workers and 2 females, Tai Forest, 17.x.1980 (V. Mahnert &: J.-L. Perret) (MHNG; }; ; ).