Pachycondyla maeva Rakotonirina and Fisher

Rakotonirina, J. C. & Fisher, B. L., 2013, Revision of the Pachycondyla sikorae species-group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Madagascar, Zootaxa 3683 (4), pp. 447-485 : 467-469

Pachycondyla maeva Rakotonirina and Fisher , sp. nov.

(Figures 8, 10, 13, 46, 47, 48, 75)

Holotype worker: Madagascar, Fianarantsoa, PN Ranomafana, Vatoharanana River, 4.1 km 231° SW Ranomafana, -21.29, 47.4333, 1100 m, sifted litter (leaf mold, rotten wood), montane rainforest, 27-31 Mar 2003 (Fisher, Griswold et al.), collection code: BLF08400, specimen code: CASENT0034340 (CASC).

WORKER. Diagnosis: Clypeus anteriorly wide and straight, with slight median notch; reddish ferruginous species with densely and finely reticulate-punctate sculpture; mandible smooth between punctulae; posterior margin of head concave; antennal scape not surpassing posterior cephalic margin; metanotal groove deeply impressed; dorsal outline of mesosoma with clearly convex mesonotum; posterolateral margin of propodeum bordered with narrow lamellae, which form an obtuse angle at about the level of the propodeal spiracle; petiole node anteroposteriorly flattened, its posterior margin medially notched in dorsal view. Anterior face of third abdominal segment straight, not forming a shallow impression; antennal scape and outer surface of tibiae without erect hairs; dorsum of head and rest of body covered with a few erect, slender hairs.

Measurements (1 specimen): HW: 1.35, HL: 1.54, CI: 88, SL: 1.07, SI: 79, PW: 1.05, WL: 2.01, NH: 0.95, NL: 0.45, NW: 0.83, DNI: 186, LNI: 213.

Description: Head cordate, broader behind than in front; sides broadly convex; posterior margin distinctly medially excised. Head dorsum with dense and fine reticulate punctures. Eyes small and flattened, not protruding, situated in anterior fourth of lateral borders of head. Antennal scape not reaching posterior cephalic margin; funicular segments wider towards apical portion. Anterior clypeal margin straight and slightly notched medially. Mandibles smooth and shiny apart from scattered punctures; apical margin armed with eight teeth.

With mesosoma in dorsal view, metanotal groove deeply impressed and straight; in profile, mesonotum distinctly convex; junction between propodeal declivity and lateral portion of propodeum slightly marginate; posterior margin of propodeum narrowly lamellate, forming obtuse angle at about the level of propodeal spiracle; mesosoma dorsum densely and finely reticulate-rugulose. With petiole in lateral view, node anteroposteriorly flattened, posterior margin medially notched in dorsal view. Anterior face of first gastral segment not forming a shallow cavity; first two gastral tergites densely punctate.

Body covered with short golden hairs and very dense pubescence; antennal scape and outer surface of tibiae lacking erect hairs. Integument matte and red ferruginous in color.

Queen: unknown.

Distribution and biology: Pachycondyla maeva has been found only once from leaf litter in the montane rainforest of the PN Ranomafana in southeastern Madagascar (Fig. 75). Represented by one worker specimen, its biology is unknown, but its very small eyes and short antennal scape indicate that workers of this species would forage under soil layers and not on the surface.