Strumigenys fixata

Known from a few collections, with one noted as being from a rainforest litter sample.

Identification
Bolton (2000) - A member of the feae complex in the Strumigenys mayri-group. This small Indian species is currently the sole member of the feae-complex to have the apicoscrobal as the only elongate projecting hair on the dorsolateral margin of the head, and it is directed more dorsally than laterally. The ventral spongiform appendage of the petiole is more slender in fixata than in any other member of the feae-complex. In fixata the appendage in profile is reduced to a slender strip, much shallower than the depth of the peduncle, whereas in all other members of the complex the spongiform appendage forms a curtain that is at least as deep as the peduncle, and usually deeper. S. fixata also has the broadest head and shortest scapes recorded in the complex, CI 74-75, SI 75-80, as opposed to a range in all the remaining species of CI 48-70, SI 87-146.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: India.

Nomenclature

 *  fixata. Strumigenys fixata Bolton, 2000: 883 (w.) INDIA.

Worker
Holotype. TL 2.0, HL 0.54, HW 0.40, CI 74, ML 0.24, MI 44, SL 0.32, SI 80, PW 0.24, AL 0.52. Characters of the feae-complex. Preapical tooth spiniform and slightly recurved, slightly longer than width of mandible at point where tooth arises, about equal to maximum width of mandible. Outer margin of mandible in full-face view convex from close to base to apicodorsal tooth. Apicoscrobal hair present, directed more dorsally than laterally, upper scrobe margin without a similar hair anterior to apicoscrobal. Cephalic dorsum with a row of 4-6 erect short simple hairs along the occipital margin, a similar pair present at level of highest point of vertex. Preocular notch absent. Maximum diameter of eye about equal to the maximum width of scape, with 3-4 ommatidia across the greatest diameter. Pronotal humeral hair simple to sub flagellate; pronotal dorsum finely reticulate-punctate, with a few fine weak longitudinal rugulae and without erect hairs; mesonotum with 2 pairs of erect simple hairs (see under paratypes). Dorsal surface of first gastral tergite with erect stiff simple hairs. Pleurae and side of propodeum smooth. Erect long hairs absent from dorsal (outer) surface of the hind basitarsus and from hind tibia. Petiole in profile with ventral spongiform strip very reduced, at maximum its depth only a fraction of the depth of the peduncle; anterior face of node slightly shorter than length of dorsum. Disc of postpetiole smooth. Basigastral costulae longer than disc of postpetiole.

Paratypes. TL 2.0-2.1, HL 0.52-0.55, HW 0.39-0.41, CI 74-75, ML 0.24-0.26, MI 44-48, SL 0.30-0.32, SI 75-80, PW 0.23-0.26, AL 0.50-0.58 (9 measured). Standing hairs on mesonotum apparently varying, usually with 1 or 2 pairs but some individuals with 3 pairs. This is due in part to varying degrees of abrasion in the type-series, and in part apparently due to disturbance of longer components of the ground pilosity. Some paratypes have the pronotum entirely reticulate-punctate, without any longitudinal rugular component.

Type Material
Holotype worker, India: Madras, Nilgiri, 6 km. E Coonoor, 1400 m., 22.xi.1972 (Mussard, Besuchet & Lobl). Paratypes. 22 workers with same data as holotype; 12 workers, Madras, Anaimalai H., Valparai, 1250 m., 18.xi.1972 (Besuchet, Lobl & Mussard) (MHNG,, ).