Strumigenys nanzanensis Lin & Wu, 1996

Tang, Kit Lam & Guénard, Benoit, 2023, Further additions to the knowledge of Strumigenys (Formicidae: Myrmicinae) within South East Asia, with the descriptions of 20 new species, European Journal of Taxonomy 907, pp. 1-144 : 96-98

Strumigenys nanzanensis Lin & Wu, 1996

Fig. 33

Strumigenys nanzanensis Lin & Wu, 1996: 148 , figs 13, 30–34 (w.q.) TAIWAN. Indomalaya.

Material examined

MAINLAND CHINA – Yunnan Province • 1 worker; Jinghong; 7–12 Aug. 2006; S. Onoda leg.; KUM .

HONG KONG • 1 worker; Central & Western District, Lung Fu Shan; 22.2794° N, 114.1349° E; 240 m a.s.l.; 28 Jun. 2019; K. Chan leg.; IBBL • 1 worker; same collection data as for preceding; IBBL • 4 workers; Lantau Island , Sha Lo Wan; 22.2898° N, 113.9069° E; 20 m a.s.l.; 6 May 2016; B.M. Worthington leg.; Winkler, 4 corners; IBBL • 14 workers; Lantau Island , Sha Lo Wan; 22.2881° N, 113.9013° E; 20 m a.s.l.; 19 Oct. 2015; B.M. Worthington leg.; Winkler, 4 corners; IBBL • 1 queen; Tai Po District , Ping Shan Chai; 22.486° N, 114.167° E; 2–16 May 2016; leg.; IBBL • 1 queen; Tai Po District , Ping Shan Chai; 22.486° N, 114.167° E; 9 Apr.–8 May 2016; leg.; IBBL • 1 worker; Wan Chai District , Victoria Park; 27 Jun. 1999; Sk. Yamane leg.; KUM ANTWEB1010909 .

Geographic range

Bhutan, mainland China ( Hong Kong, Jiangxi, Yunnan), India, Indonesia (Borneo, Lesser Sunda Islands), Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand.

Ecology

Collected at elevation 20– 240 m.

Comments

Specimens from Hong Kong are observed to have an areolate process (spongiform tissues) on the dorsal surface of the petiole in profile view, from the petiolar peduncle just in front of the petiolar node to the entire anterior face of the node; the petiolar node also has a conspicuous concave notch near the bottom of the anterior face ( Fig. 33B ). In a few other specimens from Hong Kong, as well as specimens from outside Hong Kong (e.g., Yunnan Province), the process is less developed and the notch is also less conspicuous ( Fig. 33C ). There is no other major morphological difference between specimens from Hong Kong and elsewhere, hence we consider this as a geographical variation within the species.

The areolate process on the anterodorsal surface of the petiolar node seems not to be uncommon in species of the same species group, i.e., S. godeffroyi -group (e.g., S. hispida , S. minutula , S. solifontis ), though often merely present as a narrow strip and inconspicuous. This character is not well documented in previous publications and may be overlooked, but could be useful for diagnosis within the group.

A common species in the Oriental and Sino-Japanese realms. Presence in other provinces of southern China, as well as Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam seem likely.

Figures

Fig. 33. Workers of Strumigenys nanzanensis Lin & Wu, 1996 from Hong Kong. A–B, D–E. ANTWEB1010909. C. K-D-084. A. Full-face view. B–C. Petiole close-up in profile view. D. Profile view. E. Dorsal view.