Royidris depilosa 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 : 48-50

Royidris depilosa Bolton & Fisher sp. n.

(Figs 45-47, Map 137)

WORKER (holotype in parentheses). TL 1.9-2.3 (2.1), HL 0.50-0.58 (0.54), HW 0.39-0.46 (0.43), CI 77-81 (80), SL 0.36-0.42 (0.40), SI 90-95 (93), PW 0.28-0.34 (0.30), WL 0.55-0.68 (0.64) (12 measured).

Antennal club 3-segmented. Scapes short (SI <100), when laid straight back in full-face view the apex of the scape just fails to reach the posterior margin of the head. With head in full-face view the eyes in front of the midlength of the side of the head capsule. EL 0.09-0.12 (EL/HW 0.23-0.26). Entire dorsum of head with scattered minute pits on a smooth and polished background; here and there vestigial traces (almost entirely effaced) of superficial reticulation may be visible. Promesonotum in profile not swollen or domed, the dorsum shallowly convex to the weakly impressed metanotal groove. Propodeal dorsum more or less flat to shallowly convex and slopes posteriorly, the dorsal line of the propodeum approximately follows that of the promesonotum; the propodeum is not strongly depressed below the level of the promesonotum. Pronotum without setae at the humeral angles; entire dorsum of mesosoma lacks setae. Dorsum of promesonotum smooth and shining, with widely scattered minute punctulae. Mesonotum smooth to superficially microreticulate; propodeal dorsum more strongly sculptured but even here the sculpture weak and superficial. Side of propodeum weakly microreticulate to reticulate-punctulate; mesopleuron finely reticulate-punctulate and the sculpture usually extends onto the side of the pronotum, at least posteriorly. Metafemur relatively short, MfL 0.35-0.42 (MfL/HW 0.90-0.95, MfL/MfH 3.00-3.64). Petiole without setae on the posterior face of the node; postpetiole usually with a pair of setae present posteriorly; first gastral tergite with setae restricted to the extreme posterior margin. Postpetiole relatively broad in dorsal view, maximum width 0.17-0.21 (0.44-0.48 x HW). Colour dull yellow to yellowish brown; gaster may be somewhat darker.

QUEEN and MALE: unknown.

Holotype worker, Madagascar: Prov. Toliara, P.N. Tsimanampetsotsa, 6.7 km. 130° SE Efoetse, 24°06'S, 43°46'E, 25 m., 18-22.iii.2002, BLF 6160 (40), CASENT0020786, sifted litter, spiny forest/thicket (Fisher et al.) (CASC).

Paratypes. 7 workers with same data as holotype but BLF 6160 (10), CASENT0020489; BLF 6160 (11), CASENT0020492; BLF 6160 (25), CASENT0020528; BLF 6160 (30), CASENT0020543; BLF 6160 (31), CASENT0020545; BLF 6160 (38), CASENT0021065; BLF 6160 (45), CASENT0020772 (CASC, BMNH).

R. depilosa shares a species group with admixta . The two appear closely related and are principally separated from the remainder of the genus by the relatively unspecialised nature of the mesosoma in both species, as discussed under the species group diagnoses. However, admixta is much more densely sculptured, and more densely pilose, species than depilosa .

Found in litter samples and pitfall traps in tropical dry forest, spiny forest, and gallery forest.

Non-paratypic material examined. Madagascar: Prov. Toliara, Mahafaly Plateau, ENE Itampolo (Fisher et al.); Prov. Toliara, Manderano, Frontier Project (MGF); Foret Beroboka, SE Ankidranoka (Fisher et al.); Prov. Toliara, Foret Tsinjoriaky, E Tsifota (Fisher et al.).