Strumigenys nathistorisoc Tang et al., 2019

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 : 98-99

Strumigenys nathistorisoc Tang et al., 2019

Fig. 32G–I ; Table 2

Strumigenys nathistorisoc Tang et al., 2019: 31 , figs 12a–d (w.) CHINA (Hong Kong). Indomalaya.

Material examined

MAINLAND CHINA – Guangxi Province • 1 worker; Huaping, Hongtan; 17 Aug. 1998; J. Fellowes leg.; HKBM ANTWEB1011906 • 2 workers; Nonggang, Longhu; 23 May 1998; J. Fellowes leg.; HKBM ANTWEB1011904 to ANTWEB1011905 • 1 worker; Qingshitan, Jiuwu; 26 Aug. 1998; J. Fellowes leg.; HKBM ANTWEB1011901 . – Hainan Province • 1 worker; Bawangling, BWLP12; 19.09324° N, 109.20006° E; 4 Jul. 2016; L. Wang leg.; Winkler, 12 random; IBBL • 3 workers; Bawangling, BWLS5; 19.10036° N, 109.17835° E; 7 Jul. 2016; L. Wang leg.; Winkler, 12 random; IBBL .

Measurements

Workers

TL 3.1–3.4, HL 0.72–0.82, HW 0.58–0.63, MandL 0.23–0.26, SL 0.33–0.41, EL 0.061 –0.084, PW 0.25– 0.30, ML 0.80–0.87, PL 0.33–0.38, PH 0.13–0.17, DPW 0.13–0.16, PPL 0.19–0.24, GL 0.79–0.91, CI 76–80, MI 31–34, SI 56–65, OI 10–14, LPI 40–44, DPI 37–41 (n=5).

Worker redescription

PILOSITY. In full-face view, cephalic dorsum with appressed spatulate setae, slightly inclined towards midline; clypeal dorsum covered with small oblanceolate setae; mandibular dorsum covered with spatulate to obovate setae, masticatory margins each with row of similar, medially-directed setae. Head without any laterally-projecting seta; decumbent setae present along dorsolateral margin of head and leading edge of scape. Surface of scape covered with appressed spatulate to subspatulate setae; funiculus (except for apical antennomere) covered with appressed plank-like setae; progressively finer setae covering apical antennomere. In dorsal view, promesonotal dorsum sparsely with appressed subspatulate setae, directed toward midline; posteriorly-directed decumbent setae present along lateral margins; posteriorly-directed appressed setae present along lateral margins of petiolar node and disc of postpetiole. Pronotal humeral seta absent. In profile view, cephalic dorsum without any erect seta; suberect to decumbent stout setae present on propodeal dorsum, petiolar node and disc of postpetiole; gastral tergites sparsely with very short, apically-acute, suberect to decumbent setae; second and third gastral tergites with around two pairs of erect stout setae; ventral surface of head with appressed setae; gastral sternites sparsely with suberect to decumbent setae. Hairwheel present at mesopleural excavation. Surfaces of femora, tibiae and basitarsi with long decumbent to appressed setae.

Geographic range

Mainland China (Guangxi, Hainan, Hong Kong).

New record for Guangxi and Hainan.

Ecology

Collected in primary and secondary forest.

Comments

These are the first two records of a recently-described species outside Hong Kong, which indicates, as suggested in Tang et al. (2019), that the species is not endemic to Hong Kong but is likely more widespread within south China, with future records expected from the Guangdong Province.

The pilosity description of the species is revised using newly-defined terminologies. We have determined that S. nathistorisoc belongs to its own species group due to its unique dentition. See S. nathistorisoc - group’s diagnosis for a detailed discussion.

Figures

Fig. 32. New species records of Strumigenys Smith, 1860 in full-face, profile and dorsal views. A–C. Worker of S. mutica (Brown, 1949) from Hainan, mainland China (HNA-00747). D–F. Worker of S. mutica from Vietnam (NN-S45-sp02). G–I. Worker of S. nathistorisoc Tang et al., 2019 from Hainan, mainland China (HNA-01523).