Tetraponera manangotra, Ward, P. S., 2009

Ward, P. S., 2009, The ant genus Tetraponera in the Afrotropical region: the T. grandidieri group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)., Journal of Hymenoptera Research 18, pp. 285-304 : 298-299

Tetraponera manangotra sp. n.

(Figs 19-20, 24)

Holotype worker. MADAGASCAR Toliara : PN Andohahela, Manangotry, 33.8 km NW Tolagnaro , 575 m, 24°45.07'S 46°51.47'E, 24.xi.2006, ex dead twig above ground, rainforest, B. L. Fisher #15267 ( CASENT0120025 ) ( CASC) .

Paratypes. Series of workers and dealate queens, same data as holotype ( BMNH, CASC, MCZC, PSWC, SAMC, UCDC); 1 worker, MADAGASCAR Toliara : PN Andohahela, Col de Tanatana, 33.3 km NW Tolagnaro , 275 m, 24°45.52'S 46°51.22'E, 23.xi.2006, beating low végétation, rainforest, В. L. Fisher #15166 ( CASENT0121948 ) ( CASC) .

Material Examined.-Known only from the type material.

Worker measurements (n = 4). HW 1.48-1.58, HL 1.77-2.01, LHT 1.64-1.76, CI 0.79-0.83, FCI 0.14-0.16, REL 0.28-0.31, REL2 0.36-0.37, SI 0.77-0.78, FI 0.32-0.33, PLI 0.49-0.55, PWI 0.61-0.65.

Worker diagnosis. Matching the diagnosis of the T. grandidieri group (q.v.). Basal margin of mandible lacking tooth; anterior clypeal margin convex, directed forward, and protruding medially; posterior margin of head with low, sharp transverse crest, about 0.30 mm long; metanotal spiracle visible in lateral view of mesosoma; mesopropodeal impression sharply incised; dorsal face of propodeum somewhat flattened, propodeum subquadrate in posterior view; petiole broad and robust, appearing subtriangular in lateral and dorsal views; maximum petiole width about half of head width (DPW/HW 0.50-0.53); anterior peduncle of petiole short and broad; standing pilosity and appressed pubescence similar to that of T. grandidieri but with greater number of standing hairs (4-8) on petiole and postpetiole; integument mostly sublucid, with fine coriarious/puncticulate sculpture, coarser transverse rugulae on side of mesosoma; body reddish-brown, appendages (except mesofemur and metafemur) paler; distal half of flagellum infuscated.

Comments. T. manangotra departs somewhat from the general habitus of the T. grandidieri group. The protruding median clypeal lobe, strong crest on the posterior margin of the head, and robust petiole are quite distinctive. In dorsal view the petiole is subtriangular in shape and its maximum width is half the head width. In other species in the T. grandidieri group the petiole is more slender, not exceeding two-fifths of the head width (DPW/HW 0.30-0.40) and the posterolateral corners of the petiole are broadly rounded. Large size (HW> 1.46, LHT> 1.62) alone separates T. manangotra from ali other species in the T. grandidieri group except T. merita . From the latter it can be distinguished by the features mentioned above, as well as the absence of a tooth on the basal margin of the mandible and the more elongate head (CI 0.79-0.83 in T. manangotra versus 0.90- 0.94 in T. merita ).

Distribution and biology. This species is known from a single nest series from Col de Manangotry and a foraging worker collected at an adjacent site (Col de Tanatana), in Pare National Andohahela, in rainforest of extreme southern Madagascar. The nest was in a dead twig above the ground, and comprised 5 dealate queens, 47 workers, larvae, prepupae, worker pupae, male pupae and queen pupae. Although the dealate queens were not dissected to evaluate their reproductive state, it seems likely that this species is functionally polygynous. The queens (HW 1.50-1.56, n = 5) are about the same size as the workers, whereas in other species in the Г. grandidieri group (and in most other Tetraponera ) the queens are notably larger than the workers.