Tanipone aversa, Bolton & Fisher, 2012

Bolton, Barry & Fisher, Brian L., 2012, Taxonomy of the cerapachyine ant genera Simopone Forel, Vicinopone gen. n. and Tanipone gen. n. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) 3283, Zootaxa 3283 (1), pp. 1-101 : 84-86

Tanipone aversa Bolton & Fisher sp. n.

( Figs 89–91 )

WORKER (holotype in parentheses). HL 0.87–0.90 (0.88), HW 0.70–0.72 (0.72), SL 0.42–0.46 (0.44), EL 0.26– 0.29 (0.29), PW 0.56–0.57 (0.56), AIIW 0.50–0.51 (0.51), AIIL 0.46–0.47 (0.47), AIIIW 0.69–0.72 (0.69), AIIIL 0.50–0.56 (0.50), WL 1.08–1.09 (1.09), MFL 0.66–0.74 (0.70), CI 78–82 (82), SI 60–66 (61), EL/HW 0.37–0.40 (0.40), AIIW/AIIL 1.09–1.11 (1.09), AIIIW/AIIIL 1.23–1.38 (1.38) (3 measured).

Cephalic pilosity and structure of AIII glandular patches as described in definition of maculata group, above. With head in full-face view the side in front of the eye without a laterally projecting seta behind the level of the posterior clypeal margin. Posterior margin of head with 4–6 setae. Dorsum of pronotum with a single pair of setae, at the humeri; mesonotum with a single pair of short setae; propodeum with a single pair of setae at the posterodorsal margin. Mesofemur in dorsal view with a single projecting seta on the anterior surface, close to the apex; metafemur without a seta in this position. Ventral surfaces of mesofemur and metafemur each with a single projecting seta present just distal of the trochanter. Dorsal surface of AII (petiole) with an anterior and a posterior pair of setae, the latter at the posterior margin. Tergite of AIII with a pair of setae anteriorly, each of which is situated at, or very close to, the anterior margin of the glandular patch; AIII without setae on the posterior margin. Tergite of AIV with 4 setae anteriorly. Sternites of AIII and AIV with setae present. Cephalic dorsum with small punctures, the spaces between punctures smooth or with vestigial traces of ground sculpture, especially in the area behind the antennal fossae. Katepisternum partially superficially sculptured to smooth, without longitudinal striolae. Dorsum of mesosoma with scattered small punctures, the diameters of which are usually less than the distances between them and the surfaces of which are mostly smooth and polished, especially on the mesonotum. AII (petiole) in dorsal view appears slightly broader than long; in profile its tergite appears about as long as high. Tergite of AIII sparsely punctate between the glandular patches and the surface between punctures is mostly smooth. The pale band at the apex of AIII tergite is obvious and is slightly narrowed or faded medially. Tergite of AIV punctate, spaces between the punctures unsculptured. Full adult colour with head, mesosoma, AII and AIII orange (except for the pale band on AIII); AIV to apex of abdomen black.

Holotype worker, Madagascar: Prov. Toliara, Makay Mts , 575 m, 21°18’48’’S, 45°08’43’’E, 6.xii.2010, burned savannah, BLF25675, CASENT0207894 (B.L. Fisher) ( CASC).

Paratypes. 2 workers with same data as holotype but coded BLF25702, CASENT0207893; BLF25704, CASENT0207895 ( CASC) .

T. aversa appears to be closest related to varia . These two, together with scelesta , are linked by the characters given in the maculata species group diagnosis and the diagnosis of the varia complex mentioned there. T. scelesta is much more densely setose than the others and is very easily distinguished by the characters noted in the key. Head and body colour is variable in varia , but an orange AIII, such as is present in aversa , is not known. The posterior margin of AIII tergite in varia always has a pair of pale spots or patches, rather than the continuous band present in aversa . AII in dorsal view is always longer and narrower in aversa (AIIW/AIIL 1.09–1.11) than in varia , where it is universally shorter and broader (AIIW/AIIL 1.15–1.30). Finally, AIIW of aversa is always less than PW, whereas in varia , with very few exceptions, AIIW is greater than PW. As mentioned above, all three known specimens of this species were found in burned savannah.

Figures

FIGURES 89–91. Lateral, full face and dorsal view of body. Tanipone aversa holotype worker CASENT0207894.