Strumigenys nidifex

Identification
Bolton (2000) - A member of the Strumigenys szalayi-group. A very distinctive large species, apparently restricted to the Fiji Islands. It is the only member of the group to have two intercalary denticles and retain spongiform tissue on the petiole.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Indo-Australian Region: Fiji.

Nomenclature

 *  nidifex. Strumigenys nidifex Mann, 1921: 464, fig. 23 (w.q.m.) FIJI IS. Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1955a: 140 (l.). See also: Brown, 1971c: 81; Bolton, 2000: 905.

Worker
Bolton (2000) - TL 4.7-5.1, HL 1.38-1.48, HW 0.98-1.13, CI 71-76, ML 0.62-0.64, MI 43-46, SL 0.88-0.94, SI 83-90, PW 0.46-0.51, AL 1.34-1.44 (10 measured).

Apex of mandible with 2 intercalary denticles. Postbuccal groove inconspicuous. With head in profile dorsum very broadly and deeply concave from just behind level of eye to close to occipital margin; this concavity extending as a broad groove across entire width of vertex. Ventral surface of head with a distinct postocular concavity. Ventral surface of petiole with a narrow spongiform curtain, at least on posterior two-thirds of length. Entire alitrunk reticulate-punctate. Pronotal dorsum with a pair of erect hairs, as well as those at the humeri. Colour uniform dark brown to blackish-brown.

Type Material
Bolton (2000) - Syntype workers, queens and males, FIJI IS: Viti Levu, Nadarivatu (W. M. Mann) [examined].