Tanipone zona, 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 : 98-100

Tanipone zona Bolton & Fisher sp. n.

(Figs 84–85, 113–115)

WORKER (holotype in parentheses). HL 0.68–0.81 (0.76), HW 0.53–0.63 (0.60), SL 0.30–0.40 (0.34), EL 0.23– 0.29 (0.28), PW 0.39–0.50 (0.46), AIIW 0.36–0.47 (0.44), AIIL 0.36–0.44 (0.44), AIIIW 0.46–0.59 (0.55), AIIIL

0.36–0.50 (0.44), WL 0.80–1.04 (1.00), MFL 0.46–0.58 (0.54), CI 73–79 (79), SI 55–63 (57), EL/HW 0.44–0.48 (0.47), AIIW/AIIL 0.96–1.12 (1.00), AIIIW/AIIIL 1.16–1.30 (1.25) (12 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 2 setae. Dorsum of pronotum with a single pair of setae, at the humeri; mesonotum and propodeum usually without setae but very rarely the mesonotum with a single short pair present. Mesofemur and metafemur in dorsal view without projecting setae on the anterior or posterior surfaces. Ventral surfaces of mesofemur and metafemur usually without projecting setae, but very rarely a short seta present just distal of the trochanter. Dorsal surface of AII (petiole) with an anterior pair of setae; usually without setae posteriorly but in one specimen a short pair present on the posterior margin. Tergite of AIII with two setae anteriorly, each of which is situated well in front of the anterior margin of the glandular patch. Tergite of AIV with 2–4 setae anteriorly; in general segments AIII and AIV without setae posteriorly, but extremely rarely a short pair present at the posterior margin of one or both sclerites. Sternites of AIII and AIV with setae present. Cephalic dorsum with scattered small punctures, their diameters obviously less than the distances between them. Spaces between punctures smooth or with vestigial ground sculpture, except behind antennal fossae, where weak ground sculpture is usually visible. Katepisternum mostly to entirely smooth. Dorsum of mesosoma with scattered small punctures, as on the head their diameters are obviously less than the distances between them. AII (petiole) in dorsal view appears slightly broader than long; in profile its tergite appears longer than high. Tergite of AIII, between the glandular patches smooth, with minute punctures and sometimes traces of vestigial superficial sculpture. The pale band at the apex of AIII tergite is always very obvious and is of approximately equal width across the sclerite; never interrupted by a longitudinal dark median strip. Tergite of AIV sparsely punctate, often with spaces between punctures smooth, but sometimes with feeble ground sculpture. Full adult colour dark brown to blackish brown (except for the distinct pale band on AIII).

Holotype worker, Madagascar: Prov. Toliara, P.N. Tsimanampetsotsa, 6.7 km 130° SE Efoetse , 24°06’S, 43°46’E, 18-22.iii.2002, BLF6169(50), CASENT0020383, sifted litter, spiny forest/thicket (B.L. Fisher) ( CASC).

Paratypes. 7 workers with same data as holotype but coded 6160(10), CASENT0020374; 6160(29), CASENT0020377; 6160(31), CASENT0020378; 6160(33), CASENT0020379; 6160(37), CASENT0020380; 6160(46), CASENT0020382 (specimen fragmented); 6160(L0), CASENT0020384 ( CASC) .

Very closely related to maculata , but in the latter the tergite of AIII has a pair of pale spots that are separated by a median longitudinal dark strip, rather than the continuous transverse pale band of approximately uniform width that is characteristic of zona . In addition, the setae are usually slightly more numerous in maculata ; see the notes under that species.

Primarily terrestrial, material of zona has mostly been captured as ground foragers, under stones, in leaf litter samples, in rotten tree stumps and logs, and in pitfall traps. It has also been recovered from low vegetation, but much more rarely. Primarily found in tropical dry forest, spiny forest, or Uapaca woodland, but it has also been discovered in gallery forest, littoral rainforest and mangroves.

Non-paratypic material examined. Madagascar: Ambositra , Mampiarika (A. Ravelomanana) ; Mahajanga, Maropapango (B.L. Fisher); Prov . Toliara, Kirindy Forest , ENE Morondava (G. Alpert) ; Toliara, Rés. Berenty, Forêt Bealoka , NNW AmbosaryToliara, Rés. Cap Sainte Marie, W Marovato (B.L. Fisher) ; Toliara, Forêt de Ptriky , W Tolagnaro (B.L. Fisher) ; Toliara, P.N. Andohahela, Manantalinjo, E Hazofotsy (B.L. Fisher) ; Toliara, P.N. Andohehela, ENE Tsimelahy (B.L. Fisher) ; Toliara, P.N. Tsimanampetsotsa, Mitoho, ENE Efoetse (B.L. Fisher); P.N. Tsimanampetsotsa, Bemanateza, SE Beheloka (B.L. Fisher) ; Toliara, P.N. Kirindy Mite, SE Belo sur Mer (B.L. Fisher) ; Toliara, Beza-Mahafaly , E Betioky (B.L. Fisher) ; Toliara, Res. Beza-Mahafaly (G. Alpert) ; Toliara, Res. Beza-Mahafaly (P.S. Ward) ; Toliara, Ranobe ( MGF) ; Toliara, Forêt Tsinjoriaky , E Tsifota (B.L. Fisher); Prov . Fianarantsoa, P.N. Isalo, Sahanafa River , N Ranohira (B.L. Fisher) .