Strumigenys anthocera

Identification
Bolton (2000) - Like Strumigenys usbensis and Strumigenys fairchildi, anthocera has the first gastral tergite finely and densely sculptured everywhere. S. anthocera is the largest of the three and is unique in the group in having a simple apicoscrobal hair and a pair of standing hairs on the mesonotum. The other species lack projecting hairs at these locations. Spongiform tissue is better developed on the waist segments in anthocera than in usbensis or fairchildi; usbensis lacks spongiform tissue beneath the petiole, which is distinct in anthocera and fairchildi though broader in the former than in the latter. The spongiform lobes of the waist segments tend to be narrow and sublamellate in fairchildi but are thick and coarse in anthocera.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Venezuela.

Nomenclature

 *  anthocera. Strumigenys anthocera Lattke & Goitía, 1997: 383, figs. 33, 34, 41 (w.) VENEZUELA. See also: Bolton, 2000: 563.

Worker
TL 4.2, HL 1.06, HW 0.77, CI 73, ML 0.64, MI 60, SL 0.72, SI 94, PW 0.49, AL 1.07. First gastral tergite finely and densely longitudinally striolate-costulate; without appressed spatulate hairs such as are present on the cephalic dorsum but with a few fine flagellate hairs. Maximum diameter of eye ca 0.15. Apicoscrobal hair simple. Mesonotum with a pair of short curved standing hairs. In profile declivity of propodeum with a pair of spines dorsally and a second pair basally, the two about the same length. Ventral surface of petiole with a continuous curtain of spongiform tissue that terminates in a thick spongiform pad posterolaterally.

Type Material
Holotype and paratype workers, VENEZUELA: Edo. Amazonas, Alto Rio Siapa, 1°42'N, 64°33'W, 495 m., 2.ii.1989 (J. Lattke) [examined].