Strumigenys lichiaensis, Lin, C. C. & Wu, W. J., 1996

Lin, C. C. & Wu, W. J., 1996, Revision of the ant genus Strumigenys Fr. Smith (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of Taiwan., Chinese Journal of Entomology 16, pp. 137-152 : 147-148

Strumigenys lichiaensis sp. nov. (Figs. 25-29)

Holotype Worker: TL: 2.10 mm, HL: 0.63 mm, HW: 0.49 mm, SL: 0.44 mm, ML: 0.31 mm, FCD: 0.18 mm, PW: 0.29 mm, WL: 0.66 mm, CI: 78, MI: 49, SI: 90, FCI: 37. MS1: 44.

Head as in Fig. 25, microreticulate sculpture, with short, narrowly spatulate hairs on cranium. Posterior and dorsolateral borders of head posteriorly with slightly clavate erect hairs. Man- dible hook-like at extreme apex, slender in full face view; external margin very shallowly and evenly convex, internal margin almost straight. Preapical teeth of mandible prominently spiniform: apical fork with 2 spiniform teeth and 2 inter- calary denticles (Fig. 27). Anterior clype- al margin transverse. Antenna 6-segme- nted, in ratio of 15: 2.7: 1: 1: 5: 11 in length from base: scape microreticulate, with a row of narrowly spatulate hairs; 2nd segment 1.2 X as long as wide; 3rd and 4th segments each shorter than broad; 5th segment 2.5 X as long as wide: apical segment 3.6 X as long as wide. Eye relatively small. 0.07 mm in maximum diameter, consisting of 13 ommatidia.

Dorsum of promesonotum microre- ticulate sculpture, with short, narrowly spatulate hairs. Stout slightly clavate hairs present on the dorsum of mesosoma (Fig. 26). Mesopleuron and metapleuron smooth and shining in most part. Propo- deum microreticulate sculpture. Propode- al lamellae well developed.

Petiole peduncle long and node con- vex, microreticulate sculpture, with stout erect hairs. Spongiform appendages of pedicel segments well developed.

First gastral tergite smooth and shining with numerous, stout and slightly clavate erect hairs.

Body yellow.

Paratype workers: One paratype worker with the following measurements and indices: TL: 2.14 mm, HL: 0.64 mm, HW: 0.49 mm, SL: 0.45 mm, ML: 0.31 mm, FCD: 0.19 mm, PW: 0.29 mm, WL: 0.66 mm, CI: 77, MI: 48, SI: 92, FCI: 39, MSI: 44.

Paratype female: One paratype fe- male with the following measurement and indices: TL: 2.78 mm, HL: 0.68 mm, HW: 0. 54 mm, SL: 0.47 mm, ML: 0.32 mm, FCD: 0.23 mm, PW: 0.38 mm, WL: 0.82 mm, CI: 78, MI: 47, SI: 87, FCI: 43, MSI: 46.

General shape of head and mesosoma as shown in Figs. 28-29. Head and antenn- al scapes microreticulate sculpture. Head with narrowly spatulate hairs on cranium; posterior and dorsolateral borders of head posteriorly with numerous, slight- ly clavate erect hairs. Compound eye large. Ocelli relatively large, each with blackened callus.

Mesosoma in profile relatively more even dorsally, arching from the ante- riormost of mesonotum to posteriormost of metanotum (Fig. 29). Propodeal lame- llae well developed. Dorsum of mesosoma with numerous, short erect hairs. Stout and slightly clavate erect hairs present on dorsa of mesosoma, petiole, postpetiole and 1st gastral tergite.

Body yellow.

Holotype: Worker. TAITUNG HSIEN: Lichia. 24. IV. 1995. CCL.

Paratypes: TAITUNG HSIEN: Li- chia. 1 female. 1 worker, 24.IV. 1995. CCL (from the same nest as the holotype).

Type depository: The types are preserved in the NTU.

Distribution: Taiwan.

Etymology: Named after Lichia. the type locality of this new species.

Remarks: This new species resembles S. liukueiensis Terayama & Kubota from Taiwan. Both species are easily separated from the other Taiwanese congeners by the presence of numerous, stout erect hairs on dorsa of mesosoma and 1st gastral tergite. It is distinguished from the latter by the relatively small size in worker (TL<2.2 mm in lichiaensis , TL> 2.5 mm in liukueiensis ) and the absence of erect hairs on the frontal area of head in worker and female.