Strumigenys cryptura

A few specimens have been collected from cocoa litter.

Identification
Bolton (1983) - A member of the Strumigenys loveridgei -group. Closest related to Strumigenys sistrura, characters separating sistrura and cryptura:

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Ghana, Ivory Coast.

Nomenclature

 *  cryptura. Glamyromyrmex crypturus Bolton, 1983: 327, fig. 23 (w.) GHANA. Combination in Pyramica: Bolton, 1999: 1672; in Strumigenys: Baroni Urbani & De Andrade, 2007: 118. See also: Bolton, 2000: 309.

Worker
Holotype. TL 2.0, HL 0.53, HW 0.37, CI 70, ML 0.10, MI 19, SL 0.21, SI 57, PW 0.24, AL 0.54.

Mandibles with a principal row of 5 enlarged teeth. Basally the mandible with a broad and extensive lamella which has in the small diastema between itself and the basalmost tooth a medially directed long broadly spatulate hair. An even longer but not so broadly spatulate hair projects medially from a point closer to the clypeus but more remote from the masticatory margin than the broadly spatulate hair. If the mandibles are fully closed (ajar in the holotype) these hairs may be difficult to see. Basalmost tooth smaller than the more strongly recurved second tooth, the second smaller than the third and fourth, the fifth slightly smaller than the fourth. Distal to the fifth tooth detail is difficult to see but there appears to be a pair of vestigial denticles. In profile the upper and lower mandibular margins are strongly divergent from base to apex and the upper margin curves up above the level of the anterior clypeal margin. The apical margin, from the second tooth to the apex, is almost at right-angles to the long axis of the head. Anterior clypeal margin transverse, the lateral free margins diverging anteriorly from the frontal lobes and with a few projecting spatulate to spoon-shaped hairs. Maximum width of clypeus greater than the width across the frontal lobes. Upper scrobe margins diverging posteriorly, the sides of the head convex and the occipital margin concave. Eyes small, situated on the ventral scrobe margin. Antennal scapes weakly clavate, the leading edges shallowly convex and equipped with apically curved spatulate hairs. Clypeus densely clothed with appressed small scale-like hairs which are distinctly shorter than the basalmost tooth. Hairs on dorsum of head immediately behind the clypeus short spatulate and appressed, but moving towards the occiput the hairs become more elevated and more narrowly spatulate, anteriorly arched or curved. At the highest point of the vertex the hairs are narrowly spatulate but further back they become simple, though still curved anteriorly. Clypeus smooth and shining, remainder of cephalic dorsum broadly and strongly reticulate-punctate. Three pairs of long flagellate hairs present; one pair on the dorsum close to the occipital margin, one pair at the occipital corners and one pair at the apices of the scrobes. Anterior border of pronotum marginate, the sides not marginate. Sides of mesonotum and propodeum marginate, the latter more strongly so than the former, the two not separated by a ridge or crest across the dorsum. Promesonotal dorsum in profile forming a more or less even shallow convexity which is on a slightly higher level than the propodeum. Metanotal groove absent. Propodeal teeth incorporated in the infradental lamellae. Sides of allitrunk smooth except for a few longitudinal rugulae anteriorly on the pronotum. Dorsal alitrunk smooth except for some weak sculptural vestiges on the mesonotum which, however, is mostly smooth. Pronotum and mesonotum each with a single pair of long flagellate hairs, otherwise the dorsum only with scattered fine simple hairs which are arched towards the midline. Spongiform appendages massively developed in profile. Petiole node in dorsal view roughly transversely rectangular, slightly broader than long and fractionally broader behind than in front, the anterolateral angles approximately right-angular and the surface with scattered weak punctures. Spongiform material strongly prominent posterolaterally, linked across the posterior margin of the node by a broad translucent lamella. Postpetiolar disc smooth and shining, surrounded on all sides by dense spongiform tissue. Posteromedially the spongiform tissue narrowing down to a slender lamella. Base of first gastral tergite with a broad transverse ridged lamellate strip which is shallowly concave anteromedially but not interrupted. Basigastral costulae short, arranged in two groups, on each side of a clear median strip; the costulae shortest near this clear area and longer laterally. Petiole dorsum with simple long fine hairs which are curved posteriorly. Postpetiole with simple fine hairs which are mostly erect or suberect and hooked or curved apically. Gaster with scattered simple erect hairs. Colour blackish brown.

Bolton (2000) - TL 2.0- 2.1, HL 0.52-0.56, HW 0.36-0.40, CI 69-71, ML 0.10-0.12, MI 18-21, SL 0.18-0.23, SI 50-57, PW 0.24-0.28, AL 0.53-0.58 (7 measured).

Type Material
Holotype worker, Ghana: Tafo, 29.xi.1969, ant ecology sample AES 433 (D. Leston).