Royidris etiolata 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 : 52-53

Royidris etiolata Bolton & Fisher sp. n.

(Figs 51-53, Map 139)

WORKER (holotype in parentheses). TL 3.5-4.2 (3.9), HL 0.88-1.00 (0.98), HW 0.66-0.77 (0.75), CI 75-78 (77), SL 1.04-1.20 (1.14), SI 148-158 (152), PW 0.42-0.50 (0.48), WL 1.14-1.36 (1.30) (11 measured). EL 0.21-0.24 (EL/HW 0.31-0.32). MfL 0.98-1.14 (MfL/HW 1.46-1.50, MfL/MfH 4.00-4.38).

Workers of etiolata mostly conform to the description of notorthotenes . The two are closely related but separated by the comparative dimensions noted below, most striking of which is the extremely elongate scape. In addition, etiolata is a more gracile species. Its head in full-face view has the sides behind the eyes strongly convergent posteriorly, so that the transverse portion of the posterior margin always appears shorter and narrower than in notorthotenes . For comparison of measurements see Table 3.

QUEEN and MALE: unknown.

Holotype worker, Madagascar: Prov. Toliara, Mahafaly Plateau, 6.2 km. 74° ENE Itampolo, 24°39.2'S, 43°59.8'E, 80 m., 21-25.ii.2002, BLF 5796, CASENT0002370, under stone, spiny forest/thicket (Fisher et al.) (CASC).

Paratypes. 9 workers with same data as holotype but 3 workers CASENT0002371, 1 worker CASENT0002372, 1 worker CASENT0002437, 3 workers CASENT0002438, 1 worker CASENT0009799 (CASC, BMNH).

The type-series of etiolata was included in notorthotenes by Heterick (2006), but as the highest SI he records is 132, it would appear that nothing from this series, or the non-paratypic series, was measured. R. etiolata nests under stones in spiny forest.

Non-paratypic material examined. Madagascar: Prov. Toliara, P.N. Tsimanampetsotsa, Mitoho, ENE Efoetse (Fisher et al.).