Vitsika venustas Bolton & Fisher

Bolton, Barry & Fisher, Brian, 2014, The Madagascan endemic myrmicine ants related to Eutetramorium (Hymenoptera: Formicidae): taxonomy of the genera Eutetramorium Emery, Malagidris nom. n., Myrmisaraka gen. n., Royidris gen. n., and Vitsika gen. n .., Zootaxa 3791 (1), pp. 1-99 : 94-98

Vitsika venustas Bolton & Fisher sp. n.

(Figs 120-122, Map 162)

WORKER (holotype in parentheses). TL 2.5-3.1 (3.0), HL 0.56-0.66 (0.65), HW 0.48-0.56 (0.54), CI 81-86 (83), SL 0.40-0.48 (0.48), SI 84-91 (89), PW 0.39-0.46 (0.43), WL 0.70-0.89 (0.84) (20 measured).

Eye with 6-7 rows of ommatidia, and with 7-8 ommatidia in the longest row; EL 0.13-0.17 (EL/HW 0.28-0.30). MfL 0.49-0.60 (MfL/HW 1.02-1.07). Propodeal spiracle small, diameter of annulus of spiracle is usually less than the thickness of the propodeal spine at its midlength. Petiole node in profile more or less erect with respect to the peduncle, the node not obviously inclined posteriorly; node bluntly rounded dorsally, and the anterior and posterior faces converging dorsally. Sculpture of petiole node faint to vestigial laterally, but the side never entirely smooth; posterior surface of node usually with some weak, punctate sculpture on the lower half, but smooth on the upper half. Height of petiole node in posterior view (from midpoint of the dorsal margin of the foramen to the apex) 0.85-1.05 x its maximum width. In dorsal view postpetiole 1.00-1.15 x broader than long; maximum width of postpetiole 1.10-1.25 x the length of a propodeal spine; maximum width of postpetiole 0.90-1.00 x the distance between the apices of the propodeal spines. Postpetiole node in profile relatively long and low, its dorsum shallowly convex; the length of the node in profile visibly greater than the height of the segment. Dorsum of postpetiole never entirely smooth, although the disc may be so. More typically the dorsum with weak superficial punctulae over part or most of its surface, especially posteriorly and laterodorsally, a few weak longitudinal costulae often may also be discernible, especially laterodorsally. Full adult colour yellow to light brownish yellow.

QUEEN (gyne). Ergatoid (e.g. CASENT0102971) and alate forms are known. Ergatoid HL 0.68, HW 0.56, CI 82, SL 0.48, SI 86, PW 0.46, WL 0.90, MfL 0.58. (1 measured) Worker-like, without ocelli or traces of wing insertions, but with an enlarged mesonotum and a shallow promesonotal impression but no trace of a suture. Mesopleuron without a transverse sulcus. Alate HL 0.66-0.68, HW 0.56-0.58, CI 85, SL 0.46-0.49, SI 82-84, PW 0.50-0.54, WL 0.91-1.00, maximum width of mesoscutum 0.45-0.55, maximum length of mesoscutum 0.48-0.50, MfL 0.58-0.62 (3 measured). With 3 ocelli, a full complement of flight sclerites, and a distinct mesopleural transverse sulcus. Like the workers, the queen also has a relatively small propodeal spiracle and a relatively long, low postpetiole.

MALE: unknown.

Holotype worker, Madagascar: Prov. Antsiranana, P.N. Marojejy, 28.0 km. 38° NE Andapa, 450 m., 14°26.2'S, 49°46.5'E, 12-15.xi.2003, sifted litter, rainforest, BLF 8722(9), CASENT0045957 (Fisher et al.) (CASC).

Paratypes. 14 workers, 1 ergatoid, and 2 dealate queens, all with same data as holotype and all BLF 8722: workers (L0) CASENT0046161 and 0046179, (3) CASENT0046165, (5) CASENT0045938, (6) CASENT0045942, (7) CASENT0046167, (8) CASENT0046168, (9) CASENT0046169, (12) CASENT0046171, (13) CASENT0046172, (17) CASENT0046174, (19) CASENT0045922, (21) CASENT0046175, (22) CASENT0046177; ergatoid (14) CASENT0046173; dealate queens (L0) CASENT0046178, (18) CASENT0046029 (CASC, BMNH).

96 • Zootaxa 3791 (1) © 2014 Magnolia Press

The relatively long, low postpetiole of venustas is also developed in labes , but the latter is a larger (HL 0.68-0.77, HW 0.56-0.66, SL 0.48-0.54, MfL 0.60-0.72), more darkly coloured species, in which the eyes tend to be somewhat smaller (EL/HW 0.26-0.29). In reality, the size ranges of the two form a rough continuum, with the upper limits for venustas constituting the lower limits for labes , which raises the possibility that labes is merely a larger morphotype of venustas . Contradicting this possibility is the fact that specimens of both forms have never been retrieved from a single sample, and some series of venustas are extensive. Consequently, the two are regarded as separate species here.

Most examples of venustas were retrieved from leaf litter samples in rainforest, but a few have been found in pitfall traps and yellow pan traps, and a colony was discovered in a dead twig on the ground.

Non-paratypic material examined. Madagascar: Prov. Antsiranana, P.N. Marojejy, NE Andapa (Fisher et al.); Prov. Toamasina, S. Ambanizana, Andranobe (B.L. Fisher); Prov. Toamasina, SSE Ambanizana, Andranobe (B.L. Fisher); Prov. Toamasina, Mont. Anjanaharibe, NNE Ambinanitelo (Fisher et al.); Prov. Toamasina, Anjanaharibe (Jackson & Carpenter); Prov. Toamasina, Mont. Akirindro, NNW Ambinanitelo (Fisher et al.); Prov. Toamasina, Nosy Mangabe (P.S. Ward); SW Antalaha (G.D. Alpert).