Strumigenys heliani 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 : 632

Strumigenys heliani Fisher sp. n. (Figs 384, 411)

HOLOTYPE WORKER. TL 2.6, HL 0.56, HW 0.63, CI 113, ML 0.24, MI 42, SL 0.31, SI 49, PW 0.35, AL 0.62. Characters of abdem-complex. Mandible with 2 preapical teeth, the distal smaller than the proximal. A small denticle is present at base of apicoventral fork tooth. Hairs on dorsum of head posterior of frontal lobes and along upper scrobe margin are similar in shape to hairs on leading edge of scape. Leading edge of scape greatly expanded, forming a dorsoventrally flattened convex lamella with the widest portion in apical third. In profile, promesonotal dorsum convex and bluntly marginate laterally; propodeal dorsum convex anteriorly, sloping posteriorly to the declivity. Mesopleural gland conspicuous and set in a deep concave impression. Ground-pilosity of dorsum of head posterior to frontal lobes consisting of rows of spatulate to spoon-shaped hairs. Erect hairs absent from head, alitrunk, and petiole. Hairs on gaster clavate. Head, alitrunk and petiole reticulate-punctate. Pleurae and sides of propodeum smooth except for peripheral punctures, which are most prominent on dorsal margin, postpetiole disc finely longitudinally costulate-punctulate. In profile the petiole with a well developed spongiform lamella. Postpetiole with well developed lateral and ventral spongiform lobes. Basigastral costulae well developed and sharply defined, extending across the basal third of gastral tergite, remainder of gaster more or less smooth and shiny. Propodeal tooth bluntly triangular and incorporated in the lamella, the latter a narrow strip. Colour pale orangebrown.

PARATYPE WORKER TL 2.4 - 2.5, HL 0.53 - 0.55, HW 0.61 - 0.63, CI 110 - 118, ML 0.23 - 0.26, MI 44 - 47, SL 0.27 - 0.30, SI 44 - 49, PW 0.33 - 0.37, AL 0.58 - 0.61 (4 measured). As holotype.

Holotype worker, Madagascar: Prov. Toamasina, EC. Sandranantitra, 18 ° 02.9 ' S, 49 ° 05.5 ' E, 450 m., 18 - 21. i. 1999, sifted litter (leaf mold, rotten wood) # 101 (13) - 1 (H. J. Ratsirarson) (MCZ).

Paratypes. 2 worker with same data as holotype; 2 workers with same data as holotype but coded # 101 (14) - 1 (BMNH, SAM).

S. heliani is distinguished from other species in the arnoldi-group by the absence of hairs on the dorsum of head posterior of frontal lobes and along upper scrobe margin that are similar in shape to hairs on leading edge of scape.