Strumigenys medusa

Identification
Bolton (2000) - A member of the Strumigenys leptothrix-group. S. medusa is a very distinctive species that is closest related to Strumigenys scylla but has longer scapes, smaller eyes, more abundant long pilosity and longer, narrower propodeal lobes. Separation of the two is tabulated under scylla. Both species belong in the rudinodis-complex of this group, characters of which are noted under rudinodis. The dentition of medusa and its allies is outlined in the introducion to the leptothrix-group.

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

Nomenclature

 *  medusa. Pyramica medusa Bolton, 2000: 436, figs. 273, 296 (w.) BORNEO. Combination in Strumigenys: Baroni Urbani & De Andrade, 2007: 123

Worker
Holotype. TL 3.2, HL 0.79, HW 0.54, CI 68, ML 0.13, MI 16, SL 0.50, SI 93, PW 0.36, AL 0.90. With head in full-face view the dorsolateral margin with numerous very long fine acutely pointed hairs that project laterally or dorsolaterally. These hairs commence in front of the level of the eye and continue to the apex of the occipital lobe. In profile the cephalic dorsum, from the occipital margin to a point about midway between the highest point of the vertex and the posterior clypeal margin, with abundant very long fine hairs that are curved or flexuous and directed more or less vertically. Eye with 4 ommatidia in the longest row. Scape relatively long (see measurements), the leading edge with decumbent to appressed short hairs that are directed toward the apex of the scape; without freely projecting hairs of any form. Vertex weakly reticulate-punctate and with fine longitudinal rugulae that extend back to the occipital margin. Dentition discussed in introduction to group. Pronotum marginate dorsolaterally, the dorsum approximately flat and with spaced fine longitudinal costulae; gaps between costulae with superficial, almost vestigial, reticulate-punctation. Dorsal surfaces of alitrunk, waist and first gastral tergite with numerous erect to suberect long fine hairs that are acute apically. Dorsal (outer) surfaces of middle and hind tibiae with numerous long freely projecting erect to suberect hairs that are more or less straight; all are distinctly longer than the maximum width of the segment from which they arise. Similar projecting hairs occur on all other leg segments, including the tarsi. Propodeum with a pair of stout acute triangular spines, base of declivity with a pair of narrowly triangular acute propodeal lobes that are longer than half the length of the spines; the two linked on each side by a fine carina that runs down the lateral margin of the declivity. Spongiform appendages of waist segments well developed in profile. Maximum depth of ventral petiolar appendage greater than maximum depth of petiole at the node. Lateral lobe of petiole small, not extending anteriorly along the side of the node. Disc of postpetiole in dorsal view margined with spongiform tissue on all sides, the disc finely longitudinally costulate.

Paratypes. TL 3.0-3.2, HL 0.75-0.82, HW 0.52-0.56, CI 68-69, ML 0.12-0.14, MI 16-18, SL 0.45-0.52, SI 87-94, PW 0.33-0.36, AL 0.84-0.90 (10 measured).

Type Material
Holotype worker, Malaysia: Sabah, Kinabalu, 25.iv.1987, 1500 m., no. 3a (Burckhardt & Lobl).

Paratypes. 17 workers with same data as holotype; 3 workers, Kinabalu, 30.iv.1987, 1500 m., no. 9b (Burckhardt & Lobl); 5 workers, Sabah, Crocker Range, K.K.-Tambunan, 18.v.1987, 1600 m., no. 30 (Lobl & Burckhardt); 4 workers, Crocker Range, l8.v.1987, 1600 m., no. 30a (Lobl & Burckhardt); 9 workers, Crocker Range, 19.v.1987, 1200 m., no. 31a (Burckhardt & Lobl) (MHNG,, , ).