Strumigenys doxa 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 : 678-679

Strumigenys doxa Fisher sp. n. (Fig. 401)

HOLOTYPE WORKER. TL 3.3, HL 0.83, HW 0.66, CI 80, ML 0.34, MI 41, SL 0.43, SI 66, PW 0.40, AL 0.92. Characters of diux-complex. Mandibles in full-face view with outer margins shallowly and evenly convex, the width gradually decreasing from near the base to the apicodorsal tooth. Upper scrobe margin evenly and shallowly convex in fullface view, not bordered by a rim or flange, the eyes visible and the apices of the upper scrobe margins confluent with the sides of the occipital lobes through an even curve, without an angle separating the two. Maximum diameter of eye slightly greater than maximum width of scape, with 6 - 7 ommatidia in longest row. Scape short and stout, shallowly and gently curved; hairs on leading edge narrow, flattened or spoon-shaped apically. Cephalic dorsum densely clothed with curved narrow spatulate to spoon-shaped ground-pilosity, the upper scrobe margin fringed with hairs which are the same shape and size as those on the dorsum. Posterior third of cephalic dorsum with standing remiform hairs arranged in transverse rows; dorsolateral margin of occipital lobe with projecting hairs, the anteriormost in apicoscrobal position. Pronotal humeral hair stiffly filiform and thickened apically. Promesonotum with numerous standing stiff remiform hairs. Propodeum with a pair of short, fine, posteriorly curved hairs immediately anterior of propodeal spines. Dorsal alitrunk with ground-pilosity as on head, concentrated on anterior portion of pronotum. Dorsum of alitrunk in outline convex anteriorly and more or less flat posteriorly; posterior portion of mesonotum only slightly depressed below the anterior margin of propodeum. Anterior mesonotum with a narrow carina above the mesothoracic spiracle. Propodeal tooth broadly triangular and pointed apically, declivity without a distinct lamella. Alitrunk dorsum, petiole, and postpetiole densely reticulate-punctate. Sides of pronotum with punctate sculpture dorsally, remainder smooth. Pleurae and sides of propodeum mostly smooth and shiny except for peripheral fine punctures. Petiole in profile with a straight ventral spongiform strip that is similar in width to antennal scape; ventral spongiform lobe of postpetiole slightly larger than the exposed area of the postpetiole disc in profile. Basigastral costulae short and widely spaced, but sharply defined. Dorsal surfaces of petiole, postpetiole and gaster with standing remiform hairs. Colour medium to dark brown.

Holotype worker, Madagascar: 11.0 km. WSW Befingotra, Res. Anjanaharibe-Sud, 14 ° 45 ' S, 49 ° 27 ' E, 1565 m., 16. xi. 1994, sifted litter (leaf mold rotten wood), montane rainforest # 1232 (17) - 6 (B. L. Fisher) (MCZ).

Paratype. 1 queen (dealate) with same data as holotype but 1550 m., 18. xi. 1994, ex rotting tree stump, montane rainforest # 1240 - 1 (SAM).

NON-PARATYPIC MATERIAL EXAMINED. Madagascar: Marojejy Mts, 1300 m. (J. - M. Betsch). Measurements of this material extend the range shown by the type-series: HL 0.83, HW 0.63, CI 76, ML 0.35, MI 42, SL 0.47, SI 74.

S. doxa is easily distinguished from diux , the only other species in the complex, by having the pronotum with numerous standing remiform hairs in addition to those at the humeral angles. Also, the cephalic dorsolateral margin posteriorly has 2 or more stiff erect hairs that are longer than hairs on leading edge of scape, see also under diux .