Strumigenys gyges

Identification
Bolton (2000) - The only member of the Strumigenys gyges-group. The 5-segmented antennae and unique mandibles render gyges immediately recognisable. In the regions currently under consideration only one species (Strumigenys nepalensis) has 4-segmented antennae, gyges has 5, and all the remainder have 6.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Indo-Australian Region: Malaysia.

Nomenclature

 *  gyges. Pyramica gyges Bolton, 2000: 424, figs. 261, 300 (w.q.) WEST MALAYSIA. Combination in Strumigenys: Baroni Urbani & De Andrade, 2007: 120

Worker
Holotype. TL 1.8, HL 0.44, HW 0.42, CI 95, ML 0.15, MI 34, SL 0.25, SI 60, PW 0.27, AL 0.50. Antenna with 5 segments; funiculus with only a single small segment between the first and the apical club. Clypeus finely and weakly punctulate, distinctly less strongly sculptured than remainder of head, which is reticulate-punctate. Cephalic dorsum with minute curved ground-pilosity and with two pairs of erect hairs on the posterior third. The anterior pair of hairs just in front of highest point of vertex and the posterior, more widely separated pair, just behind highest point of vertex (see notes under paratypes). Leading edge of scape, distal of the long flattened hair near the broadest point, with a row of small spatulate hairs that are curved toward the apex of the scape. Interspersed with these are even finer simple, similarly curved hairs. Eye of a single ommatidium. Dorsal alitrunk and waist segments without erect hairs, but first gastral tergite with a stout pair basally and a transverse row of 4 apically. The apices of these hairs are broadened and may have a jagged or frayed appearence. Dorsal (outer) surfaces of middle and hind tibiae with minute, apically curved hairs only. Pronotum not marginate dorsolaterally, its dorsum superficially sculptured. Mesonotum in profile forming a separate shallow convexity; posteriorly the dorsum of the propodeum sloping steeply downward. Ventral spongiform strip of petiole complete but narrow, in profile its depth less than half that of the peduncle. Lateral lobe of petiole node small and narrow, hardly more than a continuation of the posterior collar. Ventral lobe of postpetiole very small, in profile its area less than half that of the exposed node. Petiole node in dorsal view with faint vestiges of sculpture, much broader than long; its posterior collar narrow and its lateral lobes scarcely visible. Postpetiole smooth and shining, distinctly broader than long. Basigastral costulae absent or at most with minute vestiges.

Paratypes. TL 1.7-1.8, HL 0.44-0.47, HW 0.42-0.46, CI 95-100, ML 0.15-0.16, MI 32-36, SL 0.25-0.27, SI 57-60, PW 0.25-0.28, AL 0.48-0.52 (12 measured). As holotype but eye with 1-4 ommatidia in total (in single series). In a few paratypes a short thick hair projects laterally from about the midlength of the occipital lobe. Sometimes the posterior pair of hairs on the vertex is flanked by two more hairs located near the occipital corners, making an arched row of 4. It may be that a row of 4 hairs here is the correct state and that the outer two are easily lost by abrasion, but in the material available two is by far the commonest count.

Type Material
Holotype worker, Malaysia: Cameron Highlands, Bukit Mentiga, 1600 m., 23.iii.1993, no. 16a (Lobl & Calame).

Paratypes. 34 workers and 4 queens with same data as holotype (MHNg,, , , ).