Strumigenys epulo

A rainforest species that has been sampled from litter.

Identification
Bolton (2000) - The only member of the epulo complex in the Strumigenys scotti-group. S. epulo is easily distinguished from other scotti-group species by the presence of flagellate hairs on the cephalic dorsum, pronotal humerus and anterior margin of mesonotum. The mostly smooth and shiny alitrunk dorsum, petiole and postpetiole also help distinguish this species.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Malagasy Region: Madagascar.

Nomenclature

 *  epulo. Strumigenys epulo Fisher, in Bolton, 2000: 679, fig. 402 (w.q.) MADAGASCAR.

Worker
Holotype. TL 2.4, HL 0.55, HW 0.37, CI 67, ML 0.26, MI 48, SL 0.34, SI 93, PW 0.25, AL 0.63. Characters of epulo-complex. Mandibles in full-face view with outer margins shallowly and evenly convex, the width approximately constant from the level of the proximal preapical tooth to near the base. In full-face view, upper scrobe margin narrowly concave (pinched in) immediately behind frontal lobes. Behind this, upper scrobe margin divergent and shallowly convex, not bordered by a rim or flange except for a thin lamella immediately behind frontal lobes, the eyes clearly visible. Apices of the upper scrobe margins confluent with the sides of the occipital lobes through an even curve, without an angle separating the two. Maximum diameter of eye slightly larger than maximum width of scape, with 4-5 ommatidia in longest row. Scape narrow and subcylindrical, shallowly and gently curved; hairs on leading edge narrow, flattened or spoon-shaped apically. Cephalic dorsum clothed with inconspicuous, curved, narrow, filiform ground-pilosity, the upper scrobe margin fringed with hairs which are the same shape and size as those on the dorsum. Upper scrobe margin with two laterally projecting flagellate hairs, one just posterior to eye, the other apicoscrobal. Cephalic dorsum with 2 pairs of standing fine, flagellate hairs close to the occipital margin and a more anteriorly situated flagellate pair. A shorter filiform hair is located at the apex of the occipital lobe. Pronotal humeral hair long, flagellate. Mesonotum with two pairs of standing hairs, a flagellate pair on the anterior margin and a filiform pair immediately behind them that curve gently toward the midline. Dorsal alitrunk without ground-pilosity. Dorsum of alitrunk in outline convex anteriorly and more or less flat posteriorly; posterior portion of mesonotum only slightly depressed below the anterior margin of propodeum. Anterior mesonotum with a narrow flange above the mesothoracic spiracle. Propodeal tooth broadly triangular and directed posteriorly, without a distinct lamella on declivity. Dorsal surfaces of alitrunk, petiole node and postpetiole disc more or less smooth and shiny, declivity of promesonotum with fine punctures which appear almost effaced. Sides of alitrunk smooth. In dorsal view petiole node longer than broad, dorsolateral margin of peduncle with a lamellate flange that ex tend s to the petiolar disc. I n profile the petiole with a well developed ventral spongiform curtain that is deeper than the peduncle of the petiole. In dorsal view disc of postpetiole completely surrounded by spongiform tissue. Basigastral costulae very short, more or less restricted to limbus. Dorsal surfaces of petiole, postpetiole and gaster with filiform and flagellate hairs. Colour brownish yellow.

Paratypes. TL 2.2-2.4, HL 0.51-0.56, HW 0.35-0.38, CI 67-71, ML 0.26-0.28, MI 46-53, SL 0.31-34, SI 85-90, PW 0.22-0.25, AL 0.57-0.64 (8 measured). As holotype.

Measurements of this material extend the range shown by the type-series: HL 0.52-0.59, HW 0.35-0.39, CI 65-70, ML 0.26-0.32, MI 50-54, SL 0.33-0.36, SI 90-94 (6 measured). The material for 19 km. SSE Maroantsetra differs from the type-material by having additional pairs of short filiform hairs on the posterior half of the cephalic dorsum.

Type Material
Holotype worker, Madagascar: 6.3 Jun. S Ambanizana, Andranobe, 15°41'S, 49°57'E, 25 m., 14.xi.1993, sifted litter (leaf mold, rotten wood), rainforest, #886 (10)-4 (B. L. Fisher).

Paratypes. 8 workers and 1 queen (dealate) with same data as holotype but coded (12)-12, (41)-13.

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.