Strumigenys coveri Fisher, 2000

Bolton, B., 2000, The ant tribe Dacetini. With a revision of the Strumigenys species of the Malgasy Region by Brian L. Fisher, and a revision of the Austral epopostrumiform genera by Steven O. Shattuck., Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute 65, pp. 1-1028 : 640-641

Strumigenys coveri Fisher sp. n.

HOLOTYPE WORKER. TL 2.4, HL 0.63, HW 0.51, CI 81, ML 0.14, MI 22, SL 0.28, SI 55, PW 0.31, AL 0.68. Characters of dexis-complex. With head in full-face view the dorsal surfaces of the occipital lobes with broad spoon-shaped hairs similar in shape and size to those projecting from the upper scrobe margins; these hairs occupy a longitudinal strip on each side from the apices of the upper scrobe margins to the apices of the occipital lobes, but absent from the vertex proper. Eye with 12 - 13 ommatidia in total. Punctures on vertex small and faint, widely spaced, the distance between punctures greater than the diameter of the punctures. Punctate sculpture sparse and faint on dorsal promesonotum, almost effaced. Pronotum in dorsal view relatively narrow, about as broad as long, decidedly not conspicuously broader than long. Dorsum of petiole node (discounting spongiform tissue) longer than broad. Disc of postpetiole smooth. Basigastral costulae weakly developed and inconspicuous, sparse, faint and short. Standing hairs completely absent from dorsal surfaces of body.

PARATYPE WORKERS. TL 2.4, HL 0.63 - 0.64, HW 0.51 - 0.52, CI 80 - 83, ML 0.14, MI 22, SL 0.28 - 0.29, SI 55 - 56, PW 0.30 - 0.31, AL 0.66 - 0.68 (2 measured). As holotype but number of ommatidia in eye varies from 11 to 13.

Holotype worker, Madagascar: 1 km. W Andampibe, Cap Masoala, 125 m., 2. xii. l 993, 15 ° 51 ' 37 " S, 50 ° 10 ' 53.4 " E, lowland rainforest, Winkler app. 259.3308 w (Alpert et al.) (MCZ).

Paratypes. 1 worker with same data as holotype; 2 workers (one with head missing) 2 km. W Andampibe, Cap Masoala, 125 m., l. xii. 1993, 15 O 41 ' 25 " S, 50 ° 10 ' 10 " E, lowland rainforest, Winkler app. 238.3325 w (Alpert et al.) (SAM, BMNH).

NON-PARATYPIC MATERIAL EXAMINED. Madagascar: 6.3 km. S Ambanizana, Andranobe, 25 m., (B. L. Fisher); 5.3 km. SSE Ambanizana, Andranobe, 425 m. (B. L. Fisher); Prov. Toamasina, F. C. Didy 960 m. (H. J. Ratsirarson).

Measurements of this material extends the range shown by the type-series: HL 0.62 - 0.68, HW 0.51 - 0.55, CI 80 - 85, ML 0.14 - 0.17, MI 22 - 26.

Within the dexis-complex coveri is immediately separated from all other members ( dexis , gorgon , peyrierasi, rabesoni) by the condition of the petiole node. In dorsal view the cuticular area of the node (discounting the lateral lobes and posterior collar) is at least as long as broad, and usually distinctly longer than broad in coveri , while in the other species it is very obviously broader than long. The basigastral costulae are very short with a few feeble longer costulae in coveri , while in the other species, costulae well developed and numerous. Further differentiating characters are noted under the other species of the complex.