Ravavy miafina Fisher

Fisher, Brian L., 2009, Two new dolichoderine ant genera from Madagascar: Aptinoma gen. n. and Ravavy gen. n. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), Zootaxa 2118, pp. 37-52 : 47-50

Ravavy miafina Fisher sp. n.

Figures: male 6, 7b

Type material: Holotype: male, MADAGASCAR, Province Antsiranana, Ampasindava, Forêt d'Ambilanivy, 3.9 km 181° S Ambaliha, 13.79861°S, 48.16167°E, 600m, 4–9 March 2001, Malaise trap, rainforest (coll. B.L. Fisher et al.) collection code: BLF03251, pin code: CASENT0081523 ( CASC). Paratypes: 6 males with same data as holotype but pins coded CASENT0 476953, CASENT0 476983, CASENT0 476947, CASENT0081525 ( BMNH, CASC, MBCC, MCZC).

WORKER and QUEEN: unknown.

Male measurements: maximum and minimum based on n=10: HL 0.46–0.50, HW 0.43–0.47, CI 91–98, ED 0.20–0.23, SL 0.17–0.21, SI 39–47, WL 0.78–0.84, FL 0.60–0.70.

With characters of the genus, and the following. Head longer than wide, CI 91–98. Clypeus prominent; width of clypeus from posterior margin at antennal sockets to anterior margin equal in length to antennal segment 3 (flagellar segment 1). Anteromedial clypeal margin with single pair of setae projecting in line with the mandibles, posterior to this pair and more distal, single pair of suberect setae project anterodorsally above mandibles. Pair of erect setae posterior of clypeus between antennal sockets. Clypeus and head with short appressed setae. Mandibles smooth under dense matte of appressed setae. Dorsum of mesosoma, and gaster with dense pubescence. Mesosoma without erect setae; abdominal tergites A5–8 with at least one pair of erect setae. Petiolar node smooth and shiny, without pubescence. Venter of petiole with well-developed lobe. Propodeum elongate, dorsal and declivitous faces continuous without angle. Pygostyles present.

Distribution and biology. Males have been collected in Malaise traps sampled from January through August across western Madagascar. Habitats in which this species was collected include the spiny bush near Fort Dauphin, dry forest in Kirindy near Morandava, rainforest in the Sambirano region on the Ampasindava Peninsula, and coastal scrub on sand dunes near Antiranana in the northeastern tip of Madagascar.

The nesting habits of Ravavy are not known.

Additional material examined for Ravavy miafina: In addition to the type material, specimens from 9 additional collecting events from five localities were examined in this study. MADAGASCAR, Province Toliara: Forêt de Kirindy, 15.5 km 64° ENE Marofandilia, 100 m, 20.045°S, 44.66222°E, (Fisher et al.), tropical dry forest, Malaise trap collection code: BLF04601, 28 November 2001 – 03 December 2001, Malaise trap; PN Andohaela, 60 m, 24.83083°S, 46.53617°E, (Rin'Ha, Irwin), dry forest spiny forest, Malaise trap, collection code: MG-21-42, 17, December 2003– 19 December 2003. Province Antsiranana: Parc National Montagne d'Ambre [Petit Lac road], 1125 m, 12.52028°S, 49.17917°E, (R. Harin'Hala): rainforest, Malaise trap, collection code MA-01-01D-05, 0 4 March 2001 – 19 March 2001; collection code: MA-01-01D-05, 0 4 March 2001 – 19 March 2001, collection code: MA-01-01D-12, 30 May 2001 – 06 June 2001. Sakalava Beach [vegetated beach dunes], 10 m, 12.26278 °S, 49.3975°E, (R. Harin'Hala), across sandy trail in dwarf littoral forest, Malaise trap, collection code: MA-01-04B-10, 16 May 2001 – 31 May 2001; collection code: MA-01- 04B-17, 13 August 2001 – 20 August 2001; 7 km N Joffreville, 360 m, 12.33333°S, 49.25°E, (M.E. Irwin), in dry forest, hand netted, collection code: MA- 01-07-03, 26 January 2001; (R. Harin'Hala) collection code: MA- 01-07-06, 29 January 2001 – 15 February 2001.