Strumigenys inusitata

Identification
Bolton (2000) - A member of the Strumigenys splendens-group. The remarkable crested development of the clypeus immediately diagnoses inusitata among all the Neotropical species. Only the unrelated Strumigenys euryale from Borneo shows a similar but obviously convergently acquired feature. Coupled with this unique clypeal development the lack of a lateral spongiform lobe on the petiole node but presence of a subspongiform crest on its peduncle, lack of a ventral lobe on the postpetiole and lack of basal spongiform tissue on the first gastral sternite makes inusitata immediately recognisable within the group.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Brazil, Venezuela.

Nomenclature

 *  inusitata. Trichoscapa inusitata Lattke, 1992b: 142, fig. 1 (w.) VENEZUELA. Combination in Smithistruma: Bolton, 1995b: 384; in Pyramica: Bolton, 1999: 1673; in Strumigenys: Baroni Urbani & De Andrade, 2007: 121. See also: Bolton, 2000: 233.

Worker
Bolton (2000) - TL 2.2, HL 0.68-0.69, HW 0.48-0.53, CI 71-77, ML 0.02-0.04, MI 3-5, SL 0.25-0.27, SI 50-52, PW 0.22-0.25, AL 0.58-0.63 (2 measured). Clypeus in profile with dorsal outline forming a massively arched-convex crest from anterior to posterior border; maximum height of clypeal crest ca 0.10 (maximum depth of head behind level of eye ca 0.20). In full-face view apex of clypeal crest with a narrow longitudinal incision that is broadest and deepest anteriorly and peters out toward the posterior border. Clypeus almost entirely conceals mandibles so that only their extreme apices are visible. Frontal lobes and frontal carinae fused, massively expanded laterally, semi translucent and entirely concealing preocular carinae. Cephalic dorsum close to occipital margin with a transverse blunt raised ridge, behind which the dorsum is shallowly concave to the occipital margin. Apex of transverse ridge with a spaced row of stiff spindle-shaped hairs that are the only hairs arising from the dorsum proper; all other cephalic pilosity is marginal. Stout hairs project dorsally from dorsolateral margin of the head, from apicoscrobal position to occipital corner; longer hairs project more laterally from side of occipital lobe below dorsolateral margin; a row of erect hairs present across width of occipital margin. Eye with about 9 ommatidia in total. Leading edge of scape with 1-2 simple short hairs that are strongly directed toward the apex of the scape. Stout stiff suberect to erect hairs are present on dorsal surfaces of alitrunk, waist segments and gaster, and are also numerous on femora and tibiae. Head unsculptured except for faint patchy reticulation within scrobe. Alitrunk and disc of postpetiole smooth. Middle and hind femora distinctly bilaterally compressed, the ventral surface of each femur bounded on each side by a narrow longitudinal carina of clear cuticle. Femoral gland bullae small but quite easily visible. Petiole without trace of lateral spongiform lobes on node but with a long and extremely deep ventral curtain. Peduncle of petiole dorsally with a subspongiform crest that extends its length and ascends the anterior face of the node. Lateral spongiform lobes of postpetiole extensive, projecting far out laterally and in profile seen to extend posteriorly beneath the basigastral limbus. Postpetiole without trace of ventral spongiform lobes and base of first gastral sternite entirely lacking spongiform tissue. Basigastral costulae extending about two-thirds the length of the first gastral tergite, the surface of the latter depressed basally.

Type Material
Bolton (2000) - Holotype worker, VENEZUELA : Territorio Federal Amazonas, Alto Rio Siapa, 1°40'N, 64°35'W, 540 m., 2.ii.1989, sifted leaf litter (J. Lattke) [not seen].