Strumigenys mandibularis

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Comoros, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, United Republic of Tanzania. Malagasy Region: Madagascar, Mayotte. Neotropical Region: Brazil.

Nomenclature

 *  mandibularis. Strumigenys mandibularis Smith, F. 1860c: 72, pl. 4, figs. 6, 8, 10 (q., not w.; see Mayr, 1887: 574) BRAZIL. Senior synonym of batesi: Brown, 1953d: 53. See also: Donisthorpe, 1948h: 78; Bolton, 2000: 535.
 * batesi. Strumigenys batesi Forel, 1911e: 264 (w.) BRAZIL. Junior synonym of mandibularis: Brown, 1953d: 53.

Worker
Bolton (1983) - TL 1.7-1.8, HL 0.46-0.52, HW 0.35-0.41, CI 75-80, ML 0.04-0.06, MI 8-11, SL 0.18-0.21, SI 50-57, PW 0.20-0.23, AL 0.44-0.48 (10 measured).

Mandibles armed with a high narrow-based triangular basal lamella which is truncated apically and concealed by the clypeus when the mandibles are closed. Basal lamella without or with only a minute diastema between itself and the principal row of five relatively large teeth, the lamella slightly longer than the largest of these teeth. Distally the principal tooth row followed by two slightly smaller teeth, a series of four minute denticles and a small apical tooth. Anterior clypeal margin concave, the concavity here shallower than in other members of the group, the margin equipped with 3-4 pairs of scale-like hairs which project over the mandibles. Lateral margins of clypeus convergent anteriorly and equipped with a freely projecting fringe of large anteriorly curved spatulate to spoon-shaped hairs. Dorsum of clypeus and cephalic dorsum in full-face view with scattered minute appressed flattened hairs which are directed anteriorly. In profile the dorsal surface with a single pair of erect feebly clavate hairs which are weakly curved forward and are situated just behind the highest point of the vertex. Antennae with 4 segments. Scape narrow basally, bent at about the basal quarter and the anterior border expanded at about this level. Leading edges of scapes flattened and rounded, expanded but not projecting as a strong lobate or angular prominence, equipped with a projecting row of spatulate to spoon-shaped strong hairs. Maximum diameter of eye 0.11 X HW. Dorsum of head finely and densely reticulate-punctate to punctate-granular, the sculpture weaker or effaced on the clypeus. Anterior border of pronotum weakly marginate. Sides of pronotum not marginate, the dorsum without a median longitudinal ridge or carina. With the alitrunk in profile the metanotal groove faintly marked, the propodeal teeth with a broad and very conspicuous infradental lamella. All dorsal surfaces of body with scattered minute appressed pubescence. Alitrunk without standing hairs but a pair present on the posterior margin of the petiole node, a second pair on the posterior margin of the postpetiole, a third pair on the base of the first gastral tergite and a fourth pair at the apex of that sclerite. Remaining gastral tergites with sparse erect hairs. Dorsum of pronotum and mesonotum with very faint superficial granular or punctulate sculpture, the propodeal dorsum smooth or with vestigial punctures. Petiole node dorsally with vestigial punctures but disc of postpetiole smooth. First gastral tergite unsculptured except for the basigastral costulae which arise on each side of a median clear area. Spongiform appendages of pedicel segments well developed in profile. In dorsal view the petiole node with a posterior transverse spongiform strip. Anterior margin of postpetiole with a vestigial strip which is less than half the width of that on the petiole. Posterior margin of postpetiole with a transverse strip which is broadest laterally, narrowed medially. Base of first gastral tergite with a lamellar strip which is narrowest medially where its anterior margin is concave, and broadest laterally where its anterior free margin is convex and traversed by the basigastral costulae. Colour yellow to light brownish yellow.