Strumigenys juxta

Known from a small number of rainforest litter-samples.

Identification
Bolton (2000) - A member of the signeae complex in the Strumigenys godeffroyi-group. Closely related to Strumigenys jugis but juxta has a broader head, shorter mandibles and scapes (compare measurements), shorter basigastral costulae, less sculptured lateral alitrunk and postpetiole disc, and mandibles that do not have a convex narrow lamella on the inner margin between the preapical tooth and the base.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Nomenclature

 *  juxta. Strumigenys juxta Bolton, 2000: 964 (w.) AUSTRALIA.

Worker
Holotype. TL 2.0, HL 0.51, HW 0.40, CI 78, ML 0. 19, MI 37, SL 0.26, SI 65, PW 0.24, AL 0.51. With characters of signeae-complex. Inner margin of mandible without a convex cuticular lamella between preapical tooth and base. Apicoscrobal hair very short, stiff and straight. Cephalic dorsum densely and sharply reticulate-punctate and with curved-appressed ground-pilosity. Occipital margin with a transverse row of 4-6 very short stiff erect simple hairs; a similar pair present just in front of highest point of vertex and usually another close to dorsolateral margin of occipital lobe: all these erect hairs only slightly longer than the ground-pilosity but distinctly erect. Maximum diameter of eye slightly less than maximum width of the moderately dorsoventrally flattened scape. Pronotal humeral hair straight, stiff and simple; pronotal dorsum and mesonotum each with a single pair of stiffly erect simple hairs (mesonotum sometimes with a shorter second pair, located close to propodeum). Entire dorsal alitrunk finely and densely reticulate-punctate. Propodeal declivity with a very narrow lamella, little more than a carina, it posterior (free) margin closely paralleling the edge of the declivity. Katepisternum, metapleuron and side of propodeum smooth and shining except for extreme periphery. Dorsum of petiole node finely reticulate-punctate; disc of postpetiole glassy smooth or at most with a few extremely short weak costulae just behind anterior margin. Hairs on first gastral tergite erect, short stiff and simple. Basigastral costulae sharply defined, distinctly much shorter than the disc of the postpetiole.

Paratype. TL 2.0, HL 0.52, HW 0.39, CI 75, ML 0.18, MI 35, SL 0.25, SI 64, PW 0.23, AL 0.50.

Dimensions of non-paratypic workers. TL 1.8- 2.0, HL 0.46-0.52, HW 0.36-0.40, CI 76-81, ML 0.16-0.19, MI 33-37, SL 0.22-0.26, SI 61-65, PW 0.21-0.25, AL 0.46-0.52 (8 measured).

Type Material
Holotype worker, AWilralia: Queensland, NE, Hinchinhrook I., Gayundah Creek, 12.xi.1984, QM Berlesate no. 670, 18.22S x 146.13E, 80 m., rainforest, sieved litter (Momeith, Davies, Thompson & Gallon). [Holotype is top worker of two on pin.] Paratype. 1 worker with same data as holotype (ANIC).