Pachycondyla rovana Rakotonirina and Fisher

Rakotonirina, Jean Claude & Fisher, Brian L., 2013, Revision of the Pachycondyla sikorae species-group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Madagascar, Zootaxa 3683 (4), pp. 447-485 : 472-474

Pachycondyla rovana Rakotonirina and Fisher , sp. nov.

( Figures 17 , 23 , 55, 56, 57 , 77 )

Holotype worker: Madagascar, Antsiranana, Makirovana Forest , -14.16666, 49.95, 715 m, rainforest, ex rotten log, 2 May 2011, (B.L. Fisher et al.) collection code BLF26943, specimen code CASENT0242897 ( CASC). Paratypes: 2 workers with the same data as holotype but with the following specimen codes: CASENT0318040 , CASENT0318041 ( CASC).

WORKER. Diagnosis: Anteromedial clypeal margin broadly convex with median blunt denticle; series of sharp teeth or tubercles absent from posterolateral margins of propodeum and petiolar node; in dorsal view, petiole node nearly as long as broad; mesopleuron and metapleuron densely rugulose superimposed with punctures or foveolae.

Measurements (7 specimens): HW: 1.01–1.14, HL: 1.13–1.26, CI: 89–91, SL: 0.81–0.92, SI: 77–82, PW: 0.77–0.89, WL: 1.58–1.77, NH: 0.61–0.70, NL: 0.47–0.52, NW: 0.65–0.81, DNI: 138–155, LNI: 127–135.

Description: Head elongate; in full-face view sides broadly convex, not strongly converging from level of eyes toward the base of mandibles; posterior margin more or less straight. Frontal lobes broad, with generally rounded outer margins. Head dorsum densely and finely reticulate-punctate. Eyes small, composed of nine ommatidia. Antennal scape short, not reaching posterior cephalic margin. Anterior clypeal margin medially convex, with median small denticle. Mandibles smooth and shiny between sparse punctures; apical margins armed with nine teeth or denticles.

With mesosoma in dorsal view, metanotal groove indistinct or an incomplete line; dorsum of mesosoma densely and finely punctate, the surface towards midline with reduced punctures. In profile, mesopleural suture absent or incomplete; posterior margin of propodeum emarginated, bordered with narrow lamellae. Sides of pronotum reticulate-punctulate; mesopleuron and metapleuron rugulose-punctulate; sides of propodeum densely punctulate. In lateral view, petiolar node approximately as long as broad; anterodorsal angle slightly overhanging anterior face; posterior margin convex, without series of sharp teeth or tubercles; rugulose sculptures interspersed with sparse punctures present on lateral surface. In dorsal view, node broader than long, but width less than twice the length.

Erect, short, golden hairs numerous on dorsum of body, hairs much longer on petiole and gaster; dorsum of head and promesonotum with more abundant pubescence than dorsum of node and gaster. Integument dark brown in color; appendages and apex of gaster brown.

Queen: unknown.

Distribution and biology: Makirovana Forest near Sambava, in north east of Madagascar is the only place where P. rovana has been collected. It was collected on the east facing slope of the mountain along an elevational gradients between 225 m and 715 m of altitude. Workers of this species have been found foraging through leaf litter and colonies have been collected from rotten logs and under a mat of roots and litter on a rock.

Additional material examined: Province Antsiranana: Makirovana Forest , -14.1707, 49.9541, 225 m, rainforest (B.L.Fisher et al.) ( CASC); Makirovana Forest, -14.1707, 49.9541, 415 m, rainforest (B.L.Fisher et al.) ( CASC); Makirovana Forest , -14.1604, 49.9522, 550 m, rainforest (B.L.Fisher et al.) ( CASC); Makirovana Forest , -14.16666, 49.95, 715 m, rainforest (B.L.Fisher et al.) ( CASC) .

Figures

FIGURES 16 – 17. First gastral segment in dorsal view; Fig. 16: anterior face forming shallow cavity (CASENT 0317589: holotype); Fig. 17: anterior face without shallow cavity (CASENT 0247289).

FIGURES 22 – 23. Sculpture of the lateral surface of mesosoma; Fig. 22: smooth and shiny mesopleuron and metapleuron with scattered small punctures (CASENT 0045619); Fig. 23: densely rugulose mesopleuron and metapleuron superimposed with punctures (CASENT 0247289).

FIGURES 55 – 57. Worker caste of Pachycondyla rovana: lateral and dorsal view of body and full-face view of head, CASENT 0247289.

FIGURES 76 – 81. Distribution maps of the P. sikorae species-group in Madagascar. Fig. 76: P. m i a l y (triangle) and P. n o s y (circle); Fig. 77: P. ro v a n a; Fig. 78: P. sikorae; Fig. 79: P. t a h a r y; Fig. 80: P. vohitravo; Fig. 81: P. z o ro.