Simopone marleyi Arnold

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 : 30-32

Simopone marleyi Arnold

( Figs 19–21 )

Simopone marleyi Arnold, 1915: 20 . Syntype workers, SOUTH AFRICA: Durban , Stella Bush, 1.vi.1914 (H.W.B. Marley) (SAMC) [examined].

WORKER. HL 1.48–1.58, HW 0.93–1.07, SL 0.40–0.46, EL 0.38–0.42, PW 0.71–0.82, AIIW 0.64–0.74, AIIL 0.65–0.72, AIIIW 0.82–0.93, AIIIL 0.76–0.88, WL 1.55–1.76, MFL 0.74–0.80, CI 63–68, SI 42–45, EL/HW 0.38– 0.42, EP 1.11–1.25, AIIW/AIIL 0.97–1.06, AIIIW/AIIIL 0.97–1.08 (5 measured).

Clypeus strongly reflexed so that the clypeo-labral junction is conspicuously below and far behind the anteriormost point of the apparent anterior margin. In full-face view the frontal lobes/carinae broadest anteriorly; flared outwards apically and forming a pair of rounded, anteriorly prominent small lobes whose apices project distinctly farther forward than the apparent anterior clypeal margin between them. Lateral portions of clypeus also with a prominent lobe on each side, in full-face view located in front of the antennal sockets, lateral to and on a slightly lower level than the apical lobes of the frontal lobes. Frontal carinae extend back to the level of the anterior margins of the eyes. Eyes located close to the cephalic midlength, EP 1.11–1.25; in full-face view outer margins of eyes do not interrupt the outlines of the sides. Scape flattened apically but not extremely broad, SW/SL 0.63–0.69. Leading edge of scape with 1–2 short inconspicuous setae present. Sides of head below and behind eyes with a few very short, anteriorly curved setae present; cephalic dorsum with a few short, subdecumbent to decumbent inconspicuous setae present. Cephalic dorsum with faint, weak superficial microreticulate ground sculpture, upon which are scattered a few punctures. In dorsal view pronotum with a conspicuous anterior carina; humeri not sharply angulate; promesonotal suture an incised line, without distinct cross-ribs. Metanotal groove vestigial to absent. Side of pronotum, just above base of anterior coxa, with a conspicuous translucent fenestra of extremely thin cuticle. Propodeum with a weaker carina between dorsum and declivity, which continues down the sides of the declivity. Entire dorsum of mesosoma sculptured as the head but the superficial microreticulation may be extremely faint, no more than surface patterning. Dorsal surfaces of mesosoma with short setae that are decumbent to appressed. AII (petiole) with a very weak transverse ridge between anterior and dorsal surfaces; posteriorly with a somewhat stronger ridge or weak carina. In dorsal view the sides of AII are divergent from front to rear, broadest at or just before the posterior angles, the latter acute and sometimes slightly produced laterally. Anteroventral process of AII a short cuticular flange that may be dentiform apically; not a slender recurved hook or spur. AII in dorsal view about as long as broad, AIII usually fractionally broader than long, and AIV distinctly broader than long; maximum width of AIV 0.97–1.14, maximum length 0.76–0.88. Abdominal tergites, from AII to apex, without distinct elevated setae except at their apices; most setae very short and almost appressed, with the appearance of appressed long pubescence. Femora and tibiae of middle and hind legs with very sparse, short, strongly inclined setae, almost hairless. Pygidial fork short and stout, the pygidial margins on each side with a row of 6–7 denticles. Full adult colour of head and body clear yellow, pretergites of AIV and posterior halves of pygidium and hypopogyium dark brown.

QUEEN (dealate gyne; not previously described). HL 1.52–1.54, HW 1.02, SL 0.44, EL 0.40–0.41, PW 0.86– 0.87, AIIW 0.67–0.72, AIIL 0.70–0.71, AIIIW 0.89–0.92, AIIIL 0.84–0.86, AIVW 1.08–1.14, AIVL 0.88–0.92, WL 1.74–1.82, MFL 0.80–0.82, CI 66–67, SI 43, SW/SL 0.70, EL/HW 0.39–0.40, EP 1.22–1.25, AIIW/AIIL 0.96–1.01, AIIIW/AIIIL 1.06–1.07 (2 measured). Matching the description and general shape of the worker but the mesosoma with a full complement of flight sclerites.

This beautiful South African species is unlikely to be confused with any other in the region. The morphology of the clypeus and frontal lobes is unique among the Afrotropical species, and this, coupled with its size and the clear yellow colour of nearly the entire head and body, renders the species unmistakable. The series collected by Robertson (SAMC, BMNH), mentioned below, contains workers, queens and males. This is the only Afrotropical species for which a worker-associated male is known.

Material examined. South Africa: Durban, Stella Bush, 1914 (H.W.B. Marley); Natal, Mkuze Game Res., 1986, C242 (H.G. Robertson).

Figures

FIGURES 19–21. Lateral, full face and dorsal view of body. Simopone marleyi worker CASENT0106075.