Strumigenys peetersi

The unique worker of this minute species was recovered from a nest of Oecophylla smaragdina. Whether it was hunting there or had been taken by the Weaver Ants as prey is unknown, but I suspect the former as peetersi is so very small when compared to Oecophylla that it would probably not fall within the usual size-range of that species' prey. (Bolton 2000)

Identification
S. peetersi is closely related to Strumigenys anderseni but the two are easily separable as the latter has a broad band of appressed spatulate hairs on the head, that extends from the posterior clypeal margin to the level of a line connecting the posterior margins of the eyes. Apart from this the pilosity in peetersi is distinctly spoon-shaped on the leading edge of the scape and the cephalic dorsum is not sharply reticulate-punctate as is the case in anderseni.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Biology
Nothing is known about the biology of this species. Given that the holotype worker was collected inside a nest of Oecophylla smaragdina (C. Peeters pers. obs.), it was either foraging but nesting outside, or nesting inside the Oecophylla nest. A commensal association between two ant species differing greatly in body size has been reported elsewhere, e.g. Strumigenys maynei and Platythyrea conradti, as well as Dinoponera and Solenopsis.

Nomenclature

 *  peetersi. Pyramica peetersi Bolton, 2000: 474 (w.) AUSTRALIA. Combination in Strumigenys: Baroni Urbani & De Andrade, 2007: 125

Worker
Holotype. TL 1.9, HL 0.50, HW 0.35, CI 70, ML 0.10, MI 20, SL 0.22, SI 63, PW 0.23, AL 0.50. In full-face view the mandibles sharply triangular, broadest at base and tapering apically, the teeth large and strongly developed. Distal half of the massive rectangular basal lamella projecting beyond the anterior clypeal margin when the mandibles are fully closed. Basal tooth slightly inclined toward the basal lamella, the two separated by a small diastema that is shorter than the basal tooth is high. Dorsum of clypeus smooth, with numerous minute appressed flattened hairs that are short scale-like and directed anteromedially. Lateral margins of clypeus with anteriorly curved short inconspicuous hairs that are somewhat flattened. Dorsum of head behind clypeus finely shagreenate, not sharply reticulate-punctate. Ventrolateral margin of head, when viewed from above, markedly concave in front of the large eye, the latter with 5-6 ommatidia in the longest row and with 20 or more ommatidia in total. Dorsum of head between frontal lobes shallowly transversely concave. Upper scrobe margin with a row of anteriorly curved short spoon-shaped hairs which posteriorly become longer and finer, and which project outwards more strongly. Posteriorly on the sides of the occipital lobes the laterally projecting curved hairs are narrower still, appearing almost simple. Pilosity of cephalic dorsum short and very inconspicuous on anterior half, longer and narrowly spoon-shaped around highest point of vertex. Leading edge of the short thick scape with a row of short but prominent spoon-shaped hairs. Ventral surface of head with elongate, anteriorly curved hairs that are mostly appressed but quite distinct where they curve across the post-buccal impression. Pronotal humeral hair elongate curved and simple. Pronotal dorsum with medially curved narrowly spatulate to weakly remiform ground-pilosity. Mesonotum with 3 pairs of longer erect to suberect remiform hairs. Alitrunk everywhere smooth and shining. Propodeum without spines or teeth, the declivity with a broad spongiform lamella on each side that is narrow dorsally, broadest about two-thirds the depth of the declivity, then narrowing again basally. Posteriorly curved simple standing hairs present on waist segments and at base and apex of first gastral tergite. Ventral spongiform curtain of petiole deep and obvious. Petiole node in dorsal view slightly broader than long, the spongiform lobe posterolateral. Dorsum of petiole, disc of postpetiole and gaster smooth and shining. Basigastral costulae short, weakly developed and with a distinct space medially that is free of costulae.