Strumigenys finator

Known from a small number of collections, all from litter samples in montane forest.

Identification
Bolton (2000) – A member of the scotti complex in the Strumigenys scotti-group. See notes under Strumigenys europs.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Malagasy Region: Madagascar.

Nomenclature

 *  finator. Strumigenys finator Fisher, in Bolton, 2000: 681 (w.q.) MADAGASCAR.

Worker
Holotype. TL 2.8, HL 0.64, HW 0.50, CI 77, ML 0.29, MI 45, SL 0.37, SI 75, PW 0.30, AL 0.72. Characters of scotti-complex. Mandibles in full-face view with outer margins very shallowly and evenly convex, the width approximately constant from the level of the proximal preapical tooth to near the base. Apicoventral tooth of fork of mandible with a denticle located on its ventral surface near the base. Upper scrobe margin evenly and shallowly convex in full-face view, not bordered by a rim or flange except immediately behind the frontal lobes, the eyes visible, the 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 greater 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, subdecumbent to suberect, curved through entire length and thickened apically. Cephalic dorsum densely clothed with appressed, narrow filiform ground-pilosity, the upper scrobe margin fringed with hairs which are similar in shape and size to those on the leading edge of the scape. Cephalic dorsum with 6 stout standing narrowly clavate hairs arranged in a transverse row of 4 close to the occipital margin and a more anteriorly situated pair. Pronotal humeral hair long flagellate; humeral angles rounded, lateral margin of posterior pronotum with a marginate projection. Mesonotum with a pairs of stout narrowly remiform hairs on the anterior margin. Propodeum with one pair of short, fine, posteriorly curved hairs immediately anterior of propodeal spines. Dorsal alitrunk with sparse ground-pilosity that is similar in shape to pilosity on head. Dorsum of alitrunk in outline convex anteriorly and more or less flat posteriorly, the metanotal groove weekly impressed. Anterior mesonotum with a narrow flange above the mesothoracic spiracle; mesopleural gland set in a large circular notch. Propodeal tooth small, triangular, pointed apically, and subtended by an inconspicuous, very narrow lamellate ridge. Pronotal dorsum shiny, superficially longitudinally striolate. Mesonotal dorsum with striolate and punctate sculpture that appears almost effaced. Propodeal dorsum smooth and shiny. Sides of alitrunk glassy smooth, punctate peripherally. Dorsum of petiole node and postpetiole disc smooth and shiny. Spongiform appendages of waist segments greatly expanded; in profile the petiole with a well developed ventral strip. Basigastral costulae sharply defined, radiating on each side of a central clear area. Dorsal surface of petiole with a pair of standing hairs. postpetiole disc with three pairs of filiform hairs. Dorsal gaster with standing filiform hairs. Colour light brown.

Paratypes. TL 2.5-2.7, HL 0.57-0.64, HW 0.44-0.46, CI 72-77, ML 0.28-0.30, MI 46-49, SL 0.36-0.37, SI 81-83, PW 0.26-0.27, AL 0.65-0.69 (2 measured). As holotype.

Measurements of this material extend the range shown by the type-series: HL 0.51-0.58, HW 0.38-0.44, CI 74-76, ML 0.23-0.28, MI 46-49, SL 0.30-0.37, SI 80-84 (3 measured).

Type Material
Holotype worker, Madagascar: 12.2 km. WSW Befingotra, Res. Anjanaharibe-Sud, 14°45'S, 49°28'E, 1985 m., 25.xi.1994, sifted litter (leaf mold rotten wood), montane rainforest #1272 (23)-2 (B. L. Fisher).

Paratypes. 3 workers and 2 queens (dealate) with same data as holotype but coded (40)-2, (42)-2, (43)-2, (48)-2.

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.