Strumigenys livens

Known from montane forest litter-samples.

Identification
Bolton (2000) - A member of the scotti complex in the Strumigenys scotti-group. S. livens is closely related to Strumigenys lexex; see under the latter for discussion of distinguishing characters.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Malagasy Region: Madagascar.

Nomenclature

 *  livens. Strumigenys livens Fisher, in Bolton, 2000: 688 (w.q.) MADAGASCAR.

Worker
Holotype. TL 2.4, HL 0.57, HW 0.45, CI 79, ML 0.31, MI 54, SL 0.37, SI 83, PW 0.27, AL 0.60. Characters of scotti-complex. Mandibles in full-face view with outer margins very shallowly and evenly convex, width approximately constant from the level of the proximal preapical tooth to near the base. Upper scrobe margin shallowly concave immediately behind the frontal lobe, posteriorly evenly and shallowly convex in full-face view, not bordered by a rim or flange except immediately behind the frontal lobes, the eyes visible. Maximum diameter of eye approximately equal to or slightly greater than maximum width of scape, with 5-6 ommatidia in longest row. Scape subcylindrical, curved and narrowed near the base; hairs on leading edge of scape slender, slightly flattened or spoon-shaped apically. Cephalic dorsum densely clothed with short, slender filiform ground-pilosity. The upper scrobe margin fringed with hairs which are more sharply curved but otherwise similar in shape and size as those on the leading edge of the scape. Cephalic dorsum with 6 standing filiform hairs arranged in a transverse row of 4 close to the occipital margin and a more anteriorly situated pair. Pronotal humeral hair flagellate; humeral angles bluntly marginate. Mesonotum with a pair of standing filiform to narrowly remiform hairs on anterior margin, a shorter more posteriorly situated pair of erect filiform hairs, and with an even shorter pair of erect fine hairs on posterior margin. Propodeum with one pair of short, fine, posteriorly curved hairs immediately anterior of propodeal spines. Dorsal alitrunk with inconspicuous, sparse, appressed fine ground pilosity.

Dorsum of alitrunk in outline convex anteriorly and posteriorly gently sloping to the declivity. Metanotal groove shallowly impressed. Anterior mesonotum with a thin carina above a narrow mesothoracic spiracle; mesopleural gland set in a small circular notch. Propodeal tooth triangular, pointed apically, and subtended by a very narrow lamella. Pronotal dorsum longitudinally rugulose-striolate; mesonotal and propodeal dorsa reticulate-punctate. Sides of alitrunk glassy smooth. Postpetiole disc more or less smooth, faintly longitudinally striolate. In profile ventral spongiform tissue of petiolar peduncle a narrow irregular strip along the base of the peduncle, usually widest in the posterior third, the deepest point in the anterior two-thirds less than or approximately equal to the maximum width of eye. Ventral spongiform tissue of postpetiole moderately developed. Basigastral costulae short and sharply defined, radiating on each side of a broad central clear area. Petiolar disc with two pairs of filiform hairs, postpetiole with three pairs of erects hairs of similar length, dorsal surface of gaster with standing filiform hairs which are slightly thickened apically. Colour light brown.

Paratypes. TL 2.2-2.6, HL 0.51-0.60, HW 0.42-0.47, CI 77-82, ML 0.28-0.33, MI 53-56, SL 0.35-0.40, SI 82-86, PW 0.23-0.30, AL 0.56-0.65 (6 measured). As holotype.

Type Material
Holotype worker, Madagascar: 40 km. S Ambalavao, Res. Andringitra, 22°13'S, 46°58'E, 1275 m., 15.x.1993, sifted litter (leaf mold rotten wood), montane rainforest #793 (4)-9 (B. L. Fisher).

Paratypes. 7 workers and 2 queens (dealate) with same data as holotype but coded (7)-7, (8)-10, (9)-10, (10)-11, (20)-9, (34)-9.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Bolton, B. 2000. The Ant Tribe Dacetini. Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute 65
 * Fisher B. L. 2003. Formicidae, ants. Pp. 811-819 in: Goodman, S. M.; Benstead, J. P. (eds.) 2003. The natural history of Madagascar. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, xxi + 1709 pp.