Strumigenys dohertyi

One of the commonest, most widely distributed and most variable species of Pyramica (=Smithistruma) in the region.

Identification
Bolton (2000) - The noted characters will isolate the species as it is presently delimited, but marked variation in some features suggests that more than one real species may currently be concealed under the name dohertyi. If so, such species cannot be separated with any degree of confidence using the material currently available, which is best regarded as comprising a single taxon for present purposes. Apart from size variation (see measurements above), the following are also variable.

1 The petiole node in dorsal view varies from slightly longer than broad to slightly broader than long; the length of the petiole node dorsum in profile varies accordingly. This character is stable within series but varies between them. It does not appear to be geographical in nature, nor does it appear significantly size-related, although smaller individuals tend to have shorter nodes.

2 The peduncle of the petiole varies slightly in length relative to the length of the node. Smaller workers tend to have relatively slightly shorter petiolar peduncles, but this is not universal.

3 The katepisternum is smooth and shining but the metapleuron and side of the propodeum vary from completely reticulate-punctate to almost entirely smooth, with grades between these extremes. This feature may in some way be altitude-related as samples from high on mountains generally have smoother pleurae than those from the lowlands.

4 The disc of the postpetiole in dorsal view varies from glassy smooth to finely longitudinally costulate, with all intermediates of sculptural density and intensity being exhibited. Sometimes different forms of postpetiolar sculpture occur in single series of workers, with some individuals showing a smooth, and others a weakly costulate, disc.

5 The first gastral tergite may have 3 or 4 transverse rows of standing hairs, three being the most frequent. This does not appear to be size-dependent, and again at least one series shows both counts in different workers.

Distribution
Southern China, Burma (= Myanmar), Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, the large islands of Borneo, Java and Sumatra, and into the Philippines.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Indo-Australian Region: Borneo, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines. Oriental Region: Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam. Palaearctic Region: China.

Biology
The type material of a synonym (S taipingensis) was found in the rotten wood of an old tree.

Nomenclature

 *  dohertyi. Strumigenys dohertyi Emery, 1897c: 576 (w.) MYANMAR. Combination in S. (Cephaloxys): Emery, 1924d: 325; in Smithistruma: Brown, 1948e: 105; in Pyramica: Bolton, 1999: 1673; in Strumigenys: Baroni Urbani & De Andrade, 2007: 118. Senior synonym of inezae, lamellignatha, taipingensis: Bolton, 2000: 397. See also: Brown, 1953g: 121.
 * inezae. Strumigenys inezae Forel, 1905c: 12 (w.) INDONESIA (Java). Combination in S. (Cephaloxys): Emery, 1924d: 325; in Smithistruma: Brown, 1948e: 105; in Pyramica: Bolton, 1999: 1673. Junior synonym of dohertyi: Bolton, 2000: 397. See also: Brown, 1953g: 121.
 * taipingensis. Strumigenys inezae var. taipingensis Forel, 1913k: 83 (w.) WEST MALAYSIA. Imai, Brown, et al. 1984: 68 (k.). Combination in S. (Cephaloxys): Emery, 1924d: 325; in Smithistruma: Brown, 1948e: 105. Raised to species: Brown, 1953g: 122. Junior synonym of dohertyi: Bolton, 2000: 397.
 * lamellignatha. Smithistruma (Smithistruma) lamellignatha Brown, 1953g: 119, pl. 3, fig. 33 (w.q.m.) BORNEO. Combination in Pyramica: Bolton, 1999: 1673. Junior synonym of dohertyi: Bolton, 2000: 397.

Worker
Bolton (2000) - TL 2.0-3.0, HL 0.52-0.72, HW 0.42-0.58, CI 78-84, ML 0.12-0.20, MI 23-28, SL 0.26-0.42, SI 62-72, PW 0.29-0.41, AL 0.58-0.86 (30 measured).

Apicoscrobal hair flagellate. Eye with 3-5 ommatidia in the longest row. Dorsum of head in profile with a transverse row of 4 standing hairs in front of the occipital margin, and with a pair of standing hairs just in front of the highest point of the vertex. Pronotal humeral hair flagellate. Dorsum of pronotum with a weak median longitudinal carina, best developed anteriorly and may be faint in some samples. Mesonotum with 2 pairs of elongate standing hairs that are usually somewhat thickened apically; the posterior pair generally distinctly longer than the anterior pair. Lamella of propodeal declivity a mere ridge or vestigial. Subpetiolar spongiform strip complete, deepest below the peduncle, narrowing or indented approximately below the anterior face of the node.

Type Material
Holotype worker, BURMA (W. Doherty) [examined].