Strumigenys rabesoni 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 : 643-644

Strumigenys rabesoni Fisher sp. n.

HOLOTYPE WORKER. TL 2.3, HL 0.61, HW 0.53, CI 87, ML 0.14, MI 23, SL 0.26, SI 49, PW 0.33, AL 0.64. Characters of dexis-complex. With head in full-face view the dorsal surfaces of the occipital lobes without broad spoon-shaped hairs similar in shape and size to those projecting from the upper scrobe margins. Punctures on vertex broad, numerous and crowded, the diameter of each puncture greater than the distance separating one puncture from another. Eye with 8 ommatidia in total. Pronotum distinctly broader than long in dorsal view, with scattered punctures on an otherwise smooth surface. Petiole node in dorsal view broader than long (discounting spongiform tissue). Disc of postpetiole smooth. Basigastral costulae fine and faint, but extending back over at least the basal quarter of the tergite.

PARATYPE WORKERS. TL 2.3 - 2.5, HL 0.60 - 0.66, HW 0.52 - 0.58, CI 84 - 89, ML 0.13 - 0.16, MI 22 - 24, SL 0.26 - 0.29, SI 48 - 52, PW 0.32 - 0.38, AL 0.64 - 0.70 (10 measured). As holotype but eye with 7 - 10 ommatidia in total.

Holotype worker, Madagascar: 9.2 km. WSW Befingotra, Res. Anjanaharibe-Sud, 14 ° 45 ' S, 49 ° 28 ' E, 1200 m., 9. xi. l 994, sifted litter (leaf mold, rotten wood) montane rainforest, # 1192 (33) - l (B. L. Fisher) (MCZ). Paratypes. 11 workers and 3 queens (dealate) with same data as holotype but coded (2) - l, (3) - l, (9) - l, (ll) - l, (39) - l, (40) - l, (46) - l, (47) - l, (49) - 2; 1 worker and 1 queen (dealate) with same data as holotype but 1280 m., 5. xi. l 994, # 1158 (17) - 1 and # 1158 (22) - l (B. L. Fisher) (SAM, BMNH).

NON-PARATYP 1 C MATERIAL EXAMINED. Madagascar: R. S. Manongarivo, 14.5 km. 220 ° SW Antanambao, 1175 m. (B. L. Fisher); Prov. Toamasina, F. C. Andriantantely 530 m. (H. J. Ratsirarson); P. N. Mantadia 895 m. (H. J. Ratsirarson).

Measurements of this material extends the range shown by the type-series: HL 0.60 - 0.65, HW 0.54 - 0.59, CI 88 - 99, ML 0.12 - 0.15, MI 20 - 23, SL 0.28 - 0.31, SI 48 - 55 (3 measured).

S. rabesoni forms a close species pair with gorgon within the dexis-complex of this group. Characters isolating rabesoni are discussed under gorgon , with further comments under dexis .