Key to Neotropical Strumigenys (as Pyramica)

This worker key is based on: Bolton, B. 2000. The ant tribe Dacetini. Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute. 65:1-1028.

Bolton noted in regards to this key: Note: The position in the key of Strumigenys xenognatha, known only from the queen, is conjectural. The two Dominican Amber fossil species, 'Strumigenys electrina and 'Strumigenys schleeorum, are omitted from the key.

This key is from a study that included the now synonymized genus Pyramica. Therefore there are two sets of keys for the Strumigenys species from the Neotropical region: the key found below for the group of species once classified as Pyramica and a key Key to Neotropical and Nearctic Strumigenys.

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 * Strumigenys

1

 * Antenna with 4 segments; first funicular segment not separated from the 2-segmented apical club . . . . . 2


 * Antenna with 6 segments; first funicular segment separated from the 2-segmented apical club by two small segments . . . . . 3

2
return to couplet #1
 * Anterior clypeal margin convex in full-face view; lateral margins of clypeus without projecting hairs of any form. Outer margins of fully closed mandibles intersect anterior clypeal margin at the clypeal anterolateral angles. Pronotum marginate dorsolaterally. (Brazil) . . . . . Strumigenys minuscula


 * Anterior clypeal margin broadly concave in full-face view; lateral margins of clypeus with short freely laterally projecting hairs. Outer margins of fully closed mandibles intersect anterior clypeal margin mesad of the clypeal anterolateral angles. Pronotal dorsum rounding broadly into the sides. (Cuba) . . . . . Strumigenys simulans

3
return to couplet #1
 * Mandibles in full-face view sublinear to linear, elongate and narrow; at full closure engaging only in the apical halves or less of their lengths; either with an elongate space between the mandibles or their inner margins convex so that the margins touch, or nearly touch, near the midlength . . . . . 4


 * Mandibles in full-face view either short and stoutly trap-like, or triangular to elongate-triangular; at full closure engaging through most or all of their exposed length, without a space between the mandibles or at most with a diastema basally between basal lamella and first (basal) tooth . . . . . 31

4
return to couplet #3
 * Ventral surface of petiole with a strip or curtain of spongiform tissue. Leading edge of scape without freely projecting broadly spatulate or spoon-shaped hairs, without hairs that are curved toward the base of the scape . . . . . 5


 * Ventral surface of petiole without spongiform tissue. Leading edge of scape with freely projecting spatulate to spoon-shaped hairs, usually at least one curved toward the base of the scape but sometimes all directed anteriorly or curved toward apex of scape . . . . . 7

5
return to couplet #4
 * Antennal scrobe absent. A single preapical denticle present on inner margin of mandible, close to apicodorsal tooth. Dorsolateral margin of head and pronotal humeri without specialised elongate or flagellate hairs. Dorsal surfaces of head, alitrunk and first gastral tergite without standing pilosity of any form. Bulla of metapleural gland almost reaching annulus of propodeal spiracle. (Costa Rica) . . . . . Strumigenys warditeras


 * Antennal scrobe present. More than one preapical teeth or denticles present on inner margin of mandible. Dorsolateral margin of head and pro notal humeri with specialised elongate or flagellate hairs. Dorsal surfaces of head, alitrunk and first gastral tergite with standing pilosity present. Bulla of metapleural gland very small, widely separated from annulus of propodeal spiracle . . . . . 6

6
return to couplet #5
 * Cuticle on side of head within the antennal scrobe smooth and shining. Lateral margin of preocular carina not visible in full-face view. Basalmost preapical tooth on mandible arising proximal of the midlength of the blade. Labrum apically broadly bilobate, the lobes expanding distally. Dorsal surfaces of head and alitrunk smooth and shining. (Bahamas, Cuba) . . . . . Strumigenys nitens


 * Cuticle on side of head within the antennal scrobe reticulate-punctate. Lateral margin of preocular carina visible in full-face view. Basalmost preapical tooth on mandible arising distal of the midlength of the blade. Labrum apically narrowly biconical, the lobes tapering distally. Dorsal surfaces of head and alitrunk reticulate-punctate. (Venezuela, Brazil, Paraguay) . . . . . Strumigenys tanymastax

7
return to couplet #4
 * Disc of postpetiole smooth or with weak longitudinal costulae in parts, never densely reticulate-punctate . . . . . 8


 * Disc of postpetiole densely reticulate-punctate over most or all of its surface . . . . . 12

8
return to couplet #7
 * Cephalic dorsum with 2 pairs of filiform standing hairs, one pair near highest point of vertex, the other near the occipital margin. Apicoscrobal and pronotal humeral hairs narrow, filiform. Apical fork of mandible with 2 intercalary denticles that arise from the ventral surface of the apicodorsal tooth, near its base . . . . . 9


 * Cephalic dorsum with a single pair of stoutly remiform standing hairs, located close to the occipital margin. Apicoscrobal and pronotal humeral hairs thick, remiform. Apical fork of mandible with 2 intercalary denticles that arise from the vertical surface between the apicodorsal and apicoventral teeth. (Venezuela, Colombia) . . . . . Strumigenys nubila

9
return to couplet #8
 * Mandible with 2 preapical teeth or denticles. (Colombia) . . . . . Strumigenys xenognatha


 * Mandible with 3 preapical teeth or denticles, sometimes also with an additional tiny preapical denticle located very close to the apex . . . . . 10

10
return to couplet #9
 * Proximal (basal most) of the three preapical mandibular teeth or denticles distinctly longer and broader-based than the median tooth or denticle. (Colombia) . . . . . Strumigenys gemella


 * Median of the three preapical mandibular teeth or denticles distinctly longer and broader-based than the proximal (basal most) tooth or denticle . . . . . 11

11
return to couplet #10
 * Mandibles relatively long, MI 66-70. Inner margin of mandible shallowly concave in full-face view; basal most preapical denticle close to midlength of exposed mandible. Anterodorsal collar of postpetiole present, narrow and lamellate. Basigastral costulae present but short. (Colombia, Ecuador) . . . . . Strumigenys vartana


 * Mandibles relatively short, MI 55-57. Inner margin of mandible shallowly convex in full-face view; basalmost preapical denticle at apical third of exposed mandible. Anterodorsal collar of postpetiole absent. Basigastral costulae absent. (Colombia) . . . . . Strumigenys laevipleura

12
return to couplet #7
 * Inner margin of mandible with a clearly defined submedian tooth or distinctly enlarged denticle at or just distal of the midlength, this tooth or denticle obviously larger than any other preapical dentition that may be present distal to it. Labral lobes long to very long, trigger hairs at apices of lobes short; in ventral view (usually also visible in profile) the trigger hairs at most subequal in length to the lobes, usually obviously shorter . . . . . 13


 * Inner margin of mandible without a tooth or distinctly enlarged denticle at or near the midlength that is obviously larger than any other preapical dentition that may be present distal to it. Labral lobes short or very short, trigger hairs at apices of lobes long; in ventral view (usually also visible in profile) the trigger hairs longer than the lobes . . . . . 22

13
return to couplet #12
 * Pronotal humeral hair long and flagellate. Mesonotum with a single pair of long flagellate hairs. (Panama, Peru, Brazil) . . . . . Strumigenys metopia


 * Pronotal humeral hair sometimes absent, usually present, short-spatulate to filiform, never flagellate. Mesonotum without flagellate hairs . . . . . 14

14
return to couplet #13
 * With head in full-face view the dorsum posteriorly with a thick blunt convexly-arched carina that traverses the highest part of the vertex and curves forward on each side. In profile the carina the highest point of a strongly raised triangular peak, the cephalic dorsum sloping away steeply in front of and behind it. (Costa Rica) . . . . . Strumigenys aethegenys


 * With head in full-face view the dorsum posteriorly without a convexly-arched carina traversing the highest part of the vertex. In profile the outline of the posterior quarter of the cephalic dorsum is not strongly raised into a high triangular . . . . . 15

15
return to couplet #14
 * Scape narrow basally; distal of this the leading edge abruptly expanded and almost lobate at the subbasal angle, the scape distinctly widest at this point. Dorsolateral margin of head without an apicoscrobal hair. Postpetiole swollen in profile, subglobular. (Trinidad, Venezuela, Guiana, Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina) . . . . . Strumigenys crassicornis


 * Scape gradually broadening from base, the leading edge convex but not abruptly expanded at the subbasal angle, the scape widest close to the midlength. Dorsolateral margin of head with an apicoscrobal hair of some form. Postpetiole not swollen nor subglobular in profile . . . . . 16

16
return to couplet #15
 * Mandibles relatively very long, MI 61-67. Masticatory margin of mandible usually with more denticles proximal of the submedian tooth than distal to it. Petiole node in dorsal view as long as broad or nearly so. (Costa Rica, Panama) . . . . . Strumigenys myllorhapha


 * Mandibles relatively much shorter, MI 33-45. Masticatory margin of mandible usually with fewer denticles proximal of the submedian tooth than distal to it, rarely equal. Petiole node in dorsal view distinctly broader than long . . . . . 17

17
return to couplet #16
 * Eye large, its maximum diameter distinctly greater than the maximum width of the scape. Eye in profile with 24 or more ommatidia in total, with 6-7 in the longest row. Larger species with relatively long scapes, HL 0.70-0.72, AL 0.76-0.78, SI 66-67. (Costa Rica) . . . . . Strumigenys pasisops


 * Eye small, its maximum diameter usually distinctly less than the maximum width of the scape; rarely the two subequal. Eye in profile with 14 or fewer ommatidia in total, with 2-4 in the longest row. Smaller species with relatively short scapes, HL 0.41-0.63, AL 0.43-0.64, SI 48-60 . . . . . 18

18
return to couplet #17
 * Inner margin of mandible with only a single enlarged preapical tooth, located close to the midlength; all teeth proximal to this minutely denticulate, without a second equally sized tooth in the basal third of the mandible length . . . . . 19


 * Inner margin of mandible with two enlarged preapical teeth of approximately equal size; the distal located at about the apical third and the proximal in the basal third of the mandible length. (French Guiana) . . . . . Strumigenys auctidens

19
return to couplet #18
 * Head in full-face view relatively broad, CI 74-81; in profile head not strongly dorsoventrally flattened, the maximum depth of the head capsule 0.45-0.52 X HL . . . . . 20


 * Head in full-face view relatively narrow, CI 66-71; in profile head strongly dorsoventrally flattened, the maximum depth of the head capsule 0.35-0.41 X HL . . . . . 21

20
return to couplet #19
 * Erect hairs on first gastral tergite remiform or markedly flattened and expanded apically. Backcurved pair of stout hairs located posteriorly on petiole dorsum thickly remiform. Scape relatively longer, SI 53-60. (Mexico, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama) . . . . . Strumigenys brevicornis


 * Erect hairs on first gastral tergite simple, acute or blunt apically but not remiform nor flattened and expanded apically. Backcurved pair of stout hairs located posteriorly on petiole dorsum slender, scarcely thicker apically than basally. Scape relatively shorter, SI 48-52. (Costa Rica, Panama) . . . . . Strumigenys crementa

21
return to couplet #19
 * Larger species, HL 0.61-0.63, HW 0.41-0.43, AL 0.58-0.60. Outer margin of mandible in full-face view approximately straight to shallowly convex from median tooth to apex. (Brazil) . . . . . Strumigenys stenotes


 * Smaller species, HL 0.50-0.57, HW 0.34-0.39, AL 0.47-0.56. Outer margin of mandible in full-face view conspicuously concave from a point proximal of the median tooth to close to the apex. (Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Peru, Brazil) . . . . . Strumigenys zeteki

22
return to couplet #12
 * In full-face view apicoscrobal hair either elongate and fine, or flagellate or looped apically. Pronotal humeral hair long and slender, either filiform, flagellate, or looped. Curved hairs on leading edge of scape slender, narrowly spatulate . . . . . 23


 * In full-face view apicoscrobal hair short and stout, broadly remiform to clavate, or absent. Pronotal humeral hair stout, remiform, spatulate or clavate. Curved hairs on leading edge of scape coarse, very broadly spatulate to spoon-shaped . . . . . 27

23
return to couplet #22
 * Postpetiole in profile with the ventral spongiform lobe usually absent; sometimes a minute but non-spongiform vestige is visible; mesonotum always with a pair of short stiff erect hairs. When clean, base of first gastral tergite usually shagreenate to reticulate-punctate, only rarely smooth . . . . . 24


 * Postpetiole in profile with a ventral spongiform lobe that may be small but is usually distinct; if the lobe very shallow then mesonotum with a pair of straggly flagellate hairs. When clean, base of first gastral tergite un sculptured except for basigastral costulae . . . . . 25

24
return to couplet #23
 * Mandibles elongate, MI 72-85. Pronotal humeral hair flagellate or looped. Dorsum of pronotum without a pair of stiff standing hairs between the humeral pair. Sculpture on first gastral tergite restricted to base, or sometimes absent. (Trinidad, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Guiana, Surinam, French Guiana, Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentina) . . . . . Strumigenys denticulata


 * Mandibles much shorter, MI 58-65. Pronotal humeral hair simple and filiform. Dorsum of pronotum with a pair of short stiff standing hairs anteriorly between the humeral pair. Sculpture on first gastral tergite extending over at least the basal third of the sclerite. (U.S.A., Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Virgin Is., St Thomas I., Trinidad, Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Costa Rica, Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay) . . . . . Strumigenys eggersi

25
return to couplet #23
 * Ventral spongiform lobe of postpetiole large in profile, almost equal in height to exposed cuticle of side of postpetiole disc. Preapical teeth on inner margin of mandible relatively stout, large and conspicuous. (Jamaica) . . . . . Strumigenys jamaicensis


 * Ventral spongiform lobe of postpetiole small in profile, not approaching height of exposed cuticle of side of postpetiole disc; usually only about half as high or even less. Preapical teeth on inner margin of mandible small and relatively inconspicuous . . . . . 26

26
return to couplet #25
 * Mandibles and scapes relatively short, MI 59-67, SI 57-75; head slightly shorter and broader, CI 77-85. In full-face view outer margins of closed mandibles straight or feebly concave in the median section of their length. Yellow to yellowish brown species. (U.S.A., Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, St Vincent I., Tobago, Trinidad, Mexico, Belize, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru) . . . . . Strumigenys gundlachi


 * Mandibles and scapes relatively long, MI 70-78, SI 84-100; head slightly longer and narrower, CI 72-78. In full-face view outer margins of closed mandibles evenly shallowly convex throughout their length. Black species. (Colombia) . . . . . Strumigenys enopla

27
return to couplet #22
 * In profile dorsal surface of alitrunk without standing hairs of any form; all pilosity curved short-spatulate, decumbent to appressed . . . . . 28


 * In profile dorsal surface of alitrunk with at least one pair of mesonotal standing hairs . . . . . 29

28
return to couplet #27
 * Mandibles relatively short, MI < 50, their inner margins strongly convex; preapical denticle closest to apex the longest. Apicoscrobal hair present, short and stout. Median third of leading edge of scape expanded into a broad lobe. (Ecuador, Brazil) . . . . . Strumigenys decipula


 * Mandibles relatively long, MI > 60, their inner margins feebly sinuate, not strongly convex; preapical denticle third or fourth from the apex the longest. Apicoscrobal hair absent. Leading edge of scape convex but median third not expanded into a broad lobe. (Costa Rica, Panama, Ecuador) . . . . . Strumigenys lalassa

29
return to couplet #27
 * In profile dorsal alitrunk with 4-6 pairs of stout remiform standing hairs (in addition to those at humeri). First gastral sternite finely reticulate to reticulate-punctate at least basally. Mandible with 4-7 inconspicuous denticles in the preapical third of its length. (Trinidad, Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Venezuela, Colombia, Surinam, French Guiana, Peru, Brazil) . . . . . Strumigenys subedentata


 * In profile dorsal alitrunk with only a single pair of standing hairs (in addition to those at humeri), on mesonotum. First gastral sternite smooth. Mandible with 3 (very rarely 4) small teeth or denticles in the preapical third of its length . . . . . 30

30
return to couplet #29
 * Cephalic dorsum with a single pair of standing hairs, located close to occipital border. Apex of mandible with two intercalary denticles. Pronotal dorsum transversely convex, not marginate laterally. First gastral tergite with short spatulate erect hairs; ground-pilosity of head conspicuous, spatulate. (Colombia, Ecuador) . . . . . Strumigenys connectens


 * Cephalic dorsum with two pairs of standing hairs, one pair close to occipital border, the other close to highest point of vertex. Apex of mandible with three intercalary denticles. Pronotal dorsum depressed, almost flat transversely, laterally bluntly marginate throughout. First gastral tergite with elongate filiform erect hairs; ground-pilosity of head of inconspicuous minute pubescence. (Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama) . . . . . Strumigenys trieces

31
return to couplet #3
 * With the head in full-face view the leading edge of the scape with a row of conspicuous projecting curved hairs, of which one or more, distal to the subbasal bend, distinctly curves toward the base of the scape. These hairs may be simple, spatulate, remiform, spoon-shaped or wire-like . . . . . 32


 * With the head in full-face view the leading edge of the scape lacking projecting hairs that distinctly curve toward the base of the scape. Scape edge may have elongate simple straight or flagellate projecting hairs present; or may have entirely anteriorly or apically directed short hairs (hairs simple, narrowly to broadly spatulate, or spoon-shaped); or the edge may be hairless . . . . . 56

32
return to couplet #31
 * Pronotal humeral hair present, may be filiform, flagellate, remiform or clavate; humeral hair always distinctly differentiated from any other pilosity that may be present on the dorsal pronotum . . . . . 33


 * Pronotal humeral hair absent; humerus without a hair that is distinctly differentiated from any other pilosity that may be present on the dorsal pronotum . . . . . 50

33
return to couplet #32
 * Midpoint of anterior clypeal margin not produced into a sharp triangular tooth that projects forward over the mandibles. In full-face view preocular carina visible posterior to level of antennal insertions. Lateral margins of clypeus with a series of anteriorly curved spatulate hairs. Standing hairs absent or present on clypeal dorsum, if present then not all are gently curved posteriorly . . . . . 34


 * Midpoint of anterior clypeal margin produced into a sharp triangular tooth that projects forward over the mandibles. In full-face view preocular carina not visible posterior to level of antennal insertions. Lateral margins of clypeus without anteriorly curved spatulate hairs. Dorsum of clypeus densely clothed with stiff hairs that are all gently curved posteriorly. (Brazil) . . . . . Strumigenys reticeps

34
return to couplet #33
 * Ventral surface of petiole in profile with spongiform tissue reduced to absent; discounting anterior subpetiolar process (if present) usually with a narrow nonspongiform cuticular carina, but if a weakly spongiform strip occurs then its maximum depth is only a fraction of the depth of the peduncle. Disc of postpetiole usually sculptured at least in part, only rarely mostly smooth . . . . . 35


 * Ventral surface of petiole in profile with a deep, conspicuous and very obviously spongiform curtain, its maximum depth at least half that of the peduncle and usually more. Disc of postpetiole completely unsculptured and glassy smooth . . . . . 42

35
return to couplet #34
 * Metapleuron and side of propodeum mostly or entirely smooth and shining . . . . . 36


 * Metapleuron and side of propodeum entirely reticulate-punctate . . . . . 37

36
return to couplet #35
 * Pronotal humeral hair fine, long and flagellate. Dorsolateral margin of head with numerous fine flagellate hairs that freely project laterally. Hairs that curve toward base on leading edge of scape narrow and wire-like, each shaped roughly like a question-mark or a hook. Clypeal dorsum with elevated curved pilosity that is stouter than the pilosity on the dorsum behind the clypeus. (Brazil) . . . . . Strumigenys cincinnata


 * Pronotal humeral hair stout, short and stiffly remiform. Dorsolateral margin of head with curved spatulate to spoon-shaped hairs that project laterally. Hairs that curve toward base on leading edge of scape spatulate and evenly curved. Clypeal dorsum with appressed small spatulate hairs that are not stouter than the pilosity on the dorsum behind the clypeus. (Colombia, Brazil) . . . . . Strumigenys grytava

37
return to couplet #35
 * Mandible with 3 stout teeth distal of the basal lamella, the second of which may be blunt; fourth tooth represented by a broadly rounded low lamella or plate; fifth tooth acute. Scape in dorsal view slender, the broadest point distinctly distal of the midlength. Anterior margin of clypeus very shallowly convex in full-face view. Disc of postpetiole not entirely densely reticulate-punctate . . . . . 38


 * Mandible with 5 acute triangular teeth distal of the basal lamella; teeth 4 and 5 may be about the same length as 1-3 or slightly shorter. Scape in dorsal view broad and flattened, the broadest point proximal of the midlength, at or just distal of the subbasal bend. Anterior margin of clypeus transverse to very shallowly concave in full-face view. Disc of postpetiole entirely densely reticulate-punctate . . . . . 39

38
return to couplet #37
 * Cephalic dorsum behind highest point of vertex with a transverse row of 4 erect stout hairs that are conspicuously different from the ground-pilosity. Pronotal humeral hair elongate and freely projecting, slightly flattened apically and more or less straight. Eye with 3-4 ommatidia in the longest row. (Trinidad, Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil) . . . . . Strumigenys urrhobia


 * Cephalic dorsum behind highest point of vertex without a transverse row of erect stout hairs that are conspicuously different from the ground-pilosity. Pronotal humeral hair broadly spatulate to spoon-shaped and strongly curved. Eye with 5 ommatidia in the longest row. (Brazil, Paraguay) . . . . . Strumigenys emiliae

39
return to couplet #37
 * Cephalic dorsum just in front of occipital margin with a transverse row of 6 small hairs that are only marginally longer and more erect than the ground-pilosity, difficult to see. Pronotal humeral hair very short, clavate. Erect hairs on mesonotum indistinct, scarcely distinguishable from the dense ground-pilosity; on first gastral tergite hairs very short, clavate apically. (Paraguay) . . . . . Strumigenys metrix


 * Cephalic dorsum j ust in front of occipital margin with a conspicuous transverse row of 4-6 erect hairs that are obviously much longer and more erect than the ground pilosity. Pronotal humeral hair elongate, flattened or truncated apically. Erect hairs on mesonotum conspicuously differentiated from the very sparse ground-pilosity, distinct; on first gastral tergite hairs stout and simple, truncated apically . . . . . 40

40
return to couplet #39
 * Basal half or more of first gastral tergite sculptured. Basigastral costulae fine and very numerous, regular and extremely densely packed, appearing as dense uniform costulation. Mesonotum with a single pair of erect hairs. Larger species, HL 0.60-0.64, AL 0.60-0.68. (Venezuela, Colombia) . . . . . Strumigenys orchibia


 * Much less than basal half of first gastral tergite sculptured. Basigastral costulae coarse and sharply defined, distinctly separated and not appearing as dense uniform costulation, the spaces between them smooth or weakly sculptured. Mesonotum with 2-3 pairs of erect hairs. Smaller species, HL 0.50-0.55, AL 0.50-0.56 . . . . . 41