Tanipone aglandula, 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 : 81-84

Tanipone aglandula Bolton & Fisher sp. n.

( Figs 86–88 )

WORKER (holotype in parentheses). HL 0.92–1.13 (1.04), HW 0.74–0.95 (0.86), SL 0.40–0.50 (0.45), EL 0.30– 0.38 (0.34), PW 0.57–0.73 (0.66), AIIW 0.50–0.69 (0.60), AIIL 0.48–0.68 (0.60), AIIIW 0.60–0.81 (0.72), AIIIL 0.56–0.72 (0.66), WL 1.08–1.38 (1.26), MFL 0.64–0.80 (0.73), CI 80–87 (83), SI 49–55 (52), EL/HW 0.40– 0.44 (0.40), AIIW/AIIL 0.96–1.11 (1.00), AIIIW/AIIIL 1.07–1.16 (1.09) (10 measured).

FIGURES 84–85. Glandular patches on the tergite of AIII without coarse, deep, densely-packed punctures. Tanipone zona worker CASENT0010023.

In full-face view side of head in front of eye with a projecting seta close to the posterior clypeal margin; side of head below outline of eye with 1–2 (very rarely 3) setae that project laterally; side of head behind level of eye with 1–2 projecting setae; 2–4 setae along posterior margin. In profile, a single pair of erect setae immediately behind the frontal carinae and a single erect seta above the dorsal margin of each eye. In a few specimens one or two additional shorter setae are present between eye and ocelli. Dorsum of pronotum with a single pair of setae, at the humeri; mesonotum usually with a single pair of setae but in some workers these are very short, and in others they are absent; propodeum with a single pair of setae at the posterodorsal margin. Anterior surface of mesofemur in dorsal view with a single projecting seta, close to the apex; very rarely a second seta may be present on the anterior surface, close to the midlength. Posterior surface of mesofemur in dorsal view also with a single projecting seta, close to the apex and directly opposite the seta on the anterior surface. Metafemur with a single seta on its anterior surface close to the apex, but without a corresponding seta on the posterior surface. Ventral surfaces of both mesofemur and metafemur always with one, but usually with 2, projecting setae present distal of the trochanter. Dorsal surface of AII (petiole) with an anterior pair of setae, the posterior margin with 4–6 setae, and rarely the dorsum with an additional pair of setae between the anterior pair and those at the posterior margin. Tergite of AIII without visible glandular patches but with a pair of conspicuous off-white to yellowish pale spots posteriorly; AIII tergite with a transverse row of 4–6 setae anteriorly, and 6–8 posteriorly. Tergite of AIV with a transverse row of 6– 8 setae anteriorly and a row of 4–8 posteriorly. Sternites of AIII and AIV with setae present. Cephalic dorsum with relatively large, shallow punctures, the spaces between punctures smooth or with vestigial traces of ground sculpture, especially in the area behind the antennal fossae. Dorsum of mesosoma with scattered punctures that are generally smaller then those on the head, their diameters are usually less than the distances between them and the surface is mostly smooth and polished, especially on the mesonotum. Katepisternum mostly smooth, with a few widely scattered punctures. AII (petiole) in dorsal view about as long as to slightly longer than broad; in profile its tergite longer than high. Tergites of AIII and AIV punctate, the surface between punctures mostly smooth and polished. Full adult colour blackish brown to black everywhere, except for the pale spots on AIII.

Holotype worker, Madagascar: Prov. Mahajanga, Mahavavy River , 6.2 km 145° SE Mitsinjo, 1-5.xii.2002, 20 m, 16°03.1’S, 45°54.5’E, ex live stem, gallery forest, BLF6939, CASENT0492491 (B.L. Fisher) ( CASC).

Paratypes. 3 workers with same data as holotype but on low vegetation, gallery forest, BLF7017, CASENT0481792 ( CASC) .

The sole member of the aglandula group, this species is immediately recognisable by the characters of the group diagnosis. Specimens were retrieved from tropical dry forest or gallery forest, sometimes as ground foragers but more usually on low vegetation, or in live or dead twigs and branches above the ground, or in rot pockets above the ground.

Non-paratypic material examined. Madagascar: Prov . Mahajanga, Mahavavy River, SE Mitsinjo (B.L. Fisher) ; Mahajanga, P.N. Baie de Baly, NNW Soalala (B.L. Fisher) ; Mahajanga, Baie de Baly , NNW Soalala (Fisher & Griswold) ; Mahajanga, Forêt de Tsimembo , NNW Soatana (B.L. Fisher) ; Mahajanga, P.N. Namoroka, NW Vilanandro (B.L. Fisher) ; Mahajanga, Sofia Region, Dist. Port-Berger , Ambovomamy, N. Port-Berger ( Mike, Frank & Rin’ha); Prov . Toliara, Ranobe ( MGF) ; Toliara, Forêt Beroboka , SE Ankidranoka (B.L. Fisher); Prov. Tulear (R. Harin’Hala) .

Figures

FIGURES 86–88. Lateral, full face and dorsal view of body. Tanipone aglandula worker CASENT0492424.