Strumigenys chuchihensis

Chien and Lin (2015) analyzed the chemical constituents of the venom of five Taiwanese Strumigenys species: Strumigenys chuchihensis, Strumigenys formosensis, Strumigenys liukueiensis, Strumigenys minutula and Strumigenys solifontis for a chemotaxonomy study. The venom was collected from extruded stings and was thought likely to contain a mixture of poison (venom) and Dufour gland secretions. GC/MS profiles showed that three of the five species were clearly differentiated by the chemical composition of their sting secretions. Two remaining two species, S. chuchihensis and S. liukueiensis, showed chemical signatures that were not significantly different from one another.

Identification
Lin & Wu (2001) - This new species is closely related to Strumigenys godeffroyi and Strumigenys nanzanensis. However it is easily distinguished from S. godeffroyi and S. nanzanensis by the different pilosity on the mesosoma, without the abundant, short narrowly spatulate hairs.

Lubertazzi (2017, Antwiki, unpublished): Based on the above associations, this species is provisionally placed in the godeffroyi complex in the Strumigenys godeffroyi-group.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: Taiwan.

Nomenclature

 *  chuchihensis. Strumigenys chuchihensis Lin & Wu, 2001: 160, figs. 1-6 (w.q.) TAIWAN.

Worker
Holotype. TL, 2.53 mm; HL, 0.72 mm; HW, 0.53 mm; SL, 0.41 mm; ML, 0.34 mm; FCD, 0.20 mm; PW, 0.34 mm; WL, 0.69 mm; CI, 74; MI, 47; SI, 77; FCI, 37; MSI, 49.

Paratypes: TL, 2.53-2.65 mm; HL, 0.67-0.73 mm; HW, 0.51-0.54 mm; SL, 0.40-0.42 mm; ML, 0.32-0.45 mm; FCD, 0.19-0.21 mm; PW, 0.33-0.36 mm; WL, 0.67-0.72 mm; CI, 70-75; MI, 45-49; SI, 75-82; FCI, 35-39; MSI, 48-53.

Head as in Fig., microreticulate sculpturing, with short, narrowly spatulate hairs on cranium; in full face view, posterolateral corners of head with 1 pair of long flagellate hairs. Mandibles hooklike, slender in full face view; external margin very shallowly and evenly convex; internal margin almost straight; preapical teeth of mandibles prominently spiniform; apical fork with 2 spiniform teeth and 2 intercalary denticles. Anterior clypeal margin transverse. Antennae 6-segmented, in a ratio of 10.5:2.2:1:1:2.2:8.3 in length from base; scape microreticulate, with a row of narrowly spatulate hairs; 2nd segment 1.5X as long as wide; 3rd and 4th segments each shorter than wide; 5th segment 1.5X as long as wide; apical segment 4X as long as wide. Eyes relatively large, 0.07 mm in maximum diameter, with about 10 ommatidia.

Dorsum of promesonotum with microreticulate sculpturing; pairs of long flagellate hairs and short erect hairs present. Mesopleuron and metapleuron smooth and shiny on most parts. Metanotum with microreticulate sculpturing. Propodeal lamellae well developed; propodeal teeth acute absent.

Petiole with microreticulate sculpturing, with long flgellate hairs; peduncle long; dorsal margin of node convex in profile. Spongiform appendages of pedicelled segments well developed.

First gastral tergite smooth and shiny, with numerous, long flagellate hairs.

Body brownish yellow.

Queen
TL, 2.70-2.72 mm; HL, 0.67-71 mm; HW, 0.56-0.58 mm; SL, 0.50-0.52 mm; ML, 0.34-0.36 mm; FCD, 0.20-0.22 mm; PW, 0.37-0.38 mm; WL, 0.78-0.80 mm; CI, 79-85; MI, 48-54; SI, 86-93; FCI, 34-39; MSI, 46-49.

General shape of head and alitrunk as shown in Figs. 4-5. Head and antennal scape with microreticulate sculpturing. Head with narrowly spatulate hairs in cranium; in full face view, posterolateral corners of head with 1 pair of long flagellate hairs. Compound eyes large. Ocelli relatively small, without blackened callus.

Alitrunk in profile more even dorsally, arching from anteriormost of mesonotum to posteriormost of metanotum. Propodeal lamellae well developed; propodeal teeth acute absent. Dorsum of alitrunk with numerous short erect hairs. Long flagellate hairs present on dorsal of alitrunk, petiole, postpetiole and 1st gastral tergite.

Body brownish yellow.

Type Material
Holotype, worker, Taiwan: Chuchih, Taipei County, 10-ix-1997 (C. C. Lin) (Type depository: National Taiwan University).

Paratypes. One queen, 6 workers, Taiwan: Chuchih, Taipei County, 10-ix-1997 (C. C. Lin) from the same nest as holotype; 12 workers, Chuchih, Taipei County, 10- ix-1997 (C. C. Lin); Yinhotung, Taipei County, 24-vii-1992 (C. C. Lin); 3 queens, 67 workers, Fushan, Ilan County, 10-x-1992 ( C. C. Lin) (Type depository: National Taiwan University; National Museum of Natural Science, Taiwan; Taiwan Agricultural Research Institute).

Etymology
Named after Chuchih, the type locality of this new species.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Cheng D., Z. Chen, and S. Zhou. 2015. An analysis on the ant fauna of Jinzhongshan Nature Reserve in Gunagxi, China. Journal of Guangxi Normal University: Natural Science Edition 33(3): 129.137.
 * Guénard B., and R. R. Dunn. 2012. A checklist of the ants of China. Zootaxa 3558: 1-77.
 * Lin C.-C., and W. J. Wu. 2001. Three new species of Strumigenys Fr. Smith (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) with a key to Taiwanese species. Formosan Entomologist 21: 159-170.
 * Terayama M. 2009. A synopsis of the family Formicidae of Taiwan (Insecta: Hymenoptera). Research Bulletin of Kanto Gakuen University. Liberal Arts 17:81-266.
 * Terayama Mamoru. 2009. A synopsis of the family Formicidae of Taiwan (Insecta, Hymenoptera). The Research Bulletin of Kanto Gakuen University 17: 81-266.
 * Terayama, M. 2009. A synopsis of the family Formicidae of Taiwan (Insecta; Hymenoptera). The Research Bulletin of Kanto Gakuen University 17: 81-266.