Tetramorium jedi Hita, 2012

Hita Garcia, F. & B. L. Fisher, 2012, The ant genus Tetramorium Mayr (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the Malagasy region - taxonomic revision of the T. kelleri and T. tortuosum species groups., Zootaxa 3592, pp. 1-85 : 50-53

Tetramorium jedi Hita Garcia & Fisher sp. n.

(Figs. 29, 33, 44, 45, 105, 106, 107, 142)

Holotype worker, MADAGASCAR, Antsiranana, Forêt de Binara, 9.1 km 233° SW Daraina, 13.26333 S, 49.60333 E, 800 m, rainforest, 3.XII.2003 (B.L. Fisher) (CASC: CASENT0043578). Paratypes, one worker with same data as holotype (CASC: CASENT0043685); and nine workers from Antsiranana, Forêt de Binara, 9.1 km 233° SW Daraina, 13.26333 S, 49.60333 E, 725 m, rainforest, ex root mat, ground layer, collection code BLF09691, 4.XII.2003 (B.L. Fisher) (CASC: CASENT0077773, CASENT0077774, CASENT0077775).

Diagnosis

Tetramorium jedi is easily distinguished from the remainder of the T. jedi species complex by the following characters: petiolar node in dorsal view distinctly longer than wide (DPeI 79-85); entire first gastral tergite conspicuously reticulate-punctate.

Description

HL 0.92-1.03 (0.99); HW 0.87-0.97 (0.93); SL 0.64-0.75 (0.71); EL 0.17-0.20 (0.18); PH 0.45-0.54 (0.49); PW 0.65-0.72 (0.70); WL 1.14-1.30 (1.24); PSL 0.34-0.41 (0.37); PTL 0.29-0.34 (0.32); PTH 0.34-0.40 (0.38); PTW 0.24-0.29 (0.27); PPL 0.30-0.34 (0.31); PPH 0.34-0.41 (0.39); PPW 0.36-0.40 (0.38); CI 92-95 (93); SI 74-79 (77); OI 18-22 (20); DMI 54-58 (56); LMI 38-42 (39); PSLI 35-40 (37); PeNI 37-41 (38); LPeI 80-88 (84); DPeI 79-85 (83); PpNI 53-57 (54); LPpI 76-87 (81); DPpI 116-126 (121); PPI 138-148 (142) (12 measured).

Head distinctly longer than wider (CI 92-95); posterior head margin moderately concave. Anterior clypeal margin medially impressed. Frontal carinae strongly developed, diverging posteriorly, and ending at corners of posterior head margin. Antennal scrobes weakly to moderately developed, shallow, narrow, and without defined posterior and ventral margins. Antennal scapes comparatively short, not reaching posterior head margin (SI 74-79). Eyes small to moderate in size (OI 18-22). Mesosomal outline in profile weakly convex, moderately marginate from lateral to dorsal mesosoma; promesonotal suture and metanotal groove absent; mesosoma comparatively stout and high (LMI 38-42). Propodeal spines long, spinose, and acute (PSLI 35-40); propodeal lobes short, triangular and acute. Petiolar node in profile rectangular nodiform, around 1.1 to 1.3 times higher than long (LPeI 80-88), anterior and posterior faces approximately parallel, anterodorsal and posterodorsal margins approximately at same height, dorsum straight; node in dorsal view around 1.2 to 1.3 times longer than wide (DPeI 79-85). Postpetiole in profile subglobular, approximately 1.1 to 1.3 times higher than long (LPpI 76-87); in dorsal view around 1.1 to 1.3 times wider than long (DPpI 116-126). Postpetiole in profile appearing as voluminous as petiolar node, in dorsal view approximately 1.3 to 1.5 times wider than petiolar node (PPI 138-148). Mandibles distinctly longitudinally rugose; clypeus longitudinally rugose, with three to five rugae/ rugulae, median ruga well-developed, lateral rugae/rugulae often weak and broken; cephalic dorsum between frontal carinae with 8 to 11 longitudinal rugae, most rugae running unbroken from posterior head margin to posterior clypeus, few rugae interrupted or with cross-meshes; lateral and ventral head longitudinally rugose to reticulate-rugose. Mesosoma laterally and dorsally distinctly longitudinally rugose. Forecoxae with weak, superficial punctate ground sculpture only, otherwise unsculptured. Waist segments strongly longitudinally rugose to reticulate-rugose. Ground sculpture on head, mesosoma, and waist segments generally faint. First gastral tergite covered completely with very conspicuous punctate sculpture, appearing matt. All dorsal surfaces of head, mesosoma, waist segments, and gaster with abundant, long, and fine standing hairs. First gastral tergite without appressed pubescence. Anterior edges of antennal scapes with subdecumbent to erect standing hairs. Body a uniform brown to dark brown colour.

Notes

Tetramorium jedi is mainly distributed in the northeast of the island of Madagascar from Anjanaharibe north to Binara. Surprisingly, the species is also known from Ambalagoavy, which is located much further south. The available material was sampled from lowland rainforests at elevations between 240 to 800 m. The species appears to be ground-active.

As mentioned in the diagnosis above, T. jedi is unique in the T. tortuosum group because of the pronounced and very distinct sculpture on the first gastral tergite, which covers the whole tergite.

Etymology

This new species is named after the fictional, noble, and wise guardians of peace from the "Star Wars" universe created by George Lucas. The species epithet is an arbitrary combination of letters.

Material examined

MADAGASCAR: Antsiranana, Forêt Ambanitaza, 26.1 km 347° Antalaha, 14.67933 S, 50.18367 E, 240 m, rainforest, 26.XI.2004 (B.L. Fisher); Antsiranana, Forêt de Binara, 9.1 km 233° SW Daraina, 13.26333 S, 49.60333 E, 725-800 m, rainforest, 3.-4.XII.2003 (B.L. Fisher); Antsiranana, Makirovana forest, 14.17066 S, 49.95409 E, 415 m, rainforest, 29.IV.2011 (B.L. Fisher et al.); Antsiranana, Makirovana forest, 14.16666 S, 49.95 E, 715 m, rainforest, 2.V.2011 (B.L. Fisher et al.); Antsiranana, Makirovana forest, 14.17066 S, 49.95409 E, 225 m, rainforest, 4.V.2011 (B.L. Fisher et al.); Antsiranana, Parc National de Marojejy, Manantenina River, 27.6 km 35° NE Andapa, 9.6 km 327° NNW Manantenina, 14.435 S, 49.76 E, 775 m, rainforest, 15.-18.XI.2003 (B.L. Fisher et al.); Antsiranana, Parc National de Marojejy, Manantenina River, 28.0 km 38° NE Andapa, 8.2 km 333° NNW Manantenina, 14.4367 S, 49.775 E, 450 m, rainforest, 12.-25.XI.2003 (B.L. Fisher et al.); Fianarantsoa, Foret d'Ambalagoavy Nord, Ikongo, Ambatombe, 21.8275 S, 47.33889 E, 625 m, 1.XII.2000 (R. Harin'Hala & M.E. Irwin); Toamasina, Montagne d'Anjanaharibe, 18.0 km 21° NNE Ambinanitelo, 15.18833 S, 49.615 E, 470 m, rainforest, 8.-12.III.2003 (B.L. Fisher & C. Griswold).