Tanipone subpilosa, 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 : 95-97

Tanipone subpilosa Bolton & Fisher sp. n.

( Figs 107–109 )

WORKER (holotype in parentheses). HL 0.86–0.96 (0.95), HW 0.68–0.78 (0.77), SL 0.38–0.42 (0.42), EL 0.29– 0.34 (0.34), PW 0.51–0.61 (0.61), AIIW 0.44–0.59 (0.58), AIIL 0.46–0.54 (0.52), AIIIW 0.57–0.70 (0.69), AIIIL 0.54–0.60 (0.58), WL 1.04–1.20 (1.20), MFL 0.64–0.70 (0.68), CI 76–81 (81), SI 54–59 (55), EL/HW 0.42–0.45 (0.44), AIIW/AIIL 1.00–1.13 (1.12), AIIIW/AIIIL 1.06–1.19 (1.19) (10 measured).

With head in full-face view the side from the posterior clypeal margin to the anterior margin of the eye with at least one laterally projecting seta present. Side of head below outline of eye usually with 2, uncommonly with 3, long setae that project laterally. Side of head behind level of eye with numerous projecting, curved setae of varying length. In profile the entire cephalic dorsum with a number of long, fine standing setae, and also with numerous short, suberect to subdecumbent setae; too many setae in all to count easily. The short setae on the dorsum to the level of the eye are curved posteromedially; those near the posterior margin are curved anteriorly. Posterior margin of head with 4–6 longer setae and a greater number of short setae. Entire dorsum of mesosoma with a number of short, suberect to subdecumbent, curved setae. Dorsum of each sclerite also with longer, fine setae: pronotum with a single, humeral pair; mesonotum with 1 pair and propodeum usually with 2 pairs. Mesofemur and metafemur in dorsal view with a number of standing setae, of variable length, on both the anterior and posterior surfaces. Generally with 1–2 longer setae near the apex on the anterior surface of each femur, and usually with one long pair near the apex on the posterior surface. Ventral surfaces of both mesofemur and metafemur with setae present, usually with 2–3 that are relatively long, distal of the trochanter. Dorsum of AII (petiole) with 1–2 pairs of long setae and several shorter setae, and with a sparse transverse row along the posterior margin. Dorsa of AIII and AIV each with standing long setae present all over their surfaces, and with numerous short subdecumbent setae everywhere that are directed posteriorly. Sternites of AIII and AIV with numerous setae of varying length present. Cephalic dorsum with small, foveolate punctures; distances between punctures, at least above the eyes and between the eyes and antennal fossae, usually less than the diameters of the punctures. Spaces between the punctures are generally weakly superficially microsculptured anteriorly, but this tends to fade posteriorly. Side of pronotum as smooth as anepisternum. Dorsum of mesosoma with small foveolate punctures, the spaces between which are at least equal to, but generally distinctly greater than, the puncture diameters. AII (petiole) in dorsal view appears slightly broader than long; in profile its tergite appears longer than high. Structure of AIII glandular patches as described in definition of hirsuta group, above. Tergite of AIII, in front of and between the glandular patches, with sparse, small foveolate punctures; cuticle between punctures smooth. Posterior margin of AIII tergite with a pair of elongate offwhite to yellowish spots. Tergite of AIV with small foveolate punctures whose diameters average less than the distances between them. Full adult colour uniformly black, except for the pale spots on AIII; appendages usually lighter than mesosoma, brown to dark brown, and usually with tarsi lighter than tibiae and femora.

Holotype worker, Madagascar: Prov. Antsiranana, Montagne Français , 7.2 km 142° SE Diego Suarez, 180 m, 12°19’S, 49°20’E, 22-28.ii.2001, beating low vegetation, tropical dry forest, BLF3132, CASENT0410477 (B.L. Fisher) ( CASC).

Paratype. 1 worker, Madagascar, Prov. Antsiranana, Rés. Analamerana, 28.4 km 99° Anivorano Nord , 12°44.80’S, 49°29.69’E, 60 m, 5-7.xii.2004, tropical dry forest, BLF11443, CASENT0110426 (B.L. Fisher) ( CASC) .

The smallest, most diffusely sculptured, and least densely setose member of the hirtsuta group yet discovered, T. subpilosa appears to be restricted to tropical dry forest, where it has been found on low vegetation and as ground foragers.

Non-paratypic material examined. Madagascar: Prov ., Antsiranana, Montagne Français, SE Diego Suarez (B.L. Fisher) ; Antsiranana, Rés. Analamerana , Anivorano-Nord (B.L. Fisher) ; Antsiranana, Res. Ankarana , SE Matsaborimanga (P.S. Ward) .

Figures

FIGURES 107–109. Lateral, full face and dorsal view of body. Tanipone subpilosa paratype worker CASENT0410477.