Tetraponera setosa, Ward, 2022

Ward, Philip S., 2022, The ant genus Tetraponera (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the Afrotropical region: taxonomic review and key to species, Zootaxa 5102 (1), pp. 1-70 : 60

Tetraponera setosa sp. nov.

( Figs 31 , 44 )

Tetraponera psw113. Chomicki et al. 2015: figure S1. Placement in molecular phylogeny.

Type material. Holotype worker: Uganda, Bushenyi, Kalinzu Forest , 1450m, 0°25′S 30°05′E, 27 Sep 2006, S. Yamane UG06-SKY-101 ( CASENT0794346 ) ( CASC) . Paratypes: 6 workers, same data as holotype ( CASENT0795232 to CASENT0795235 ( KUES, PSWC, UCDC).

Worker measurements (n= 5). HW 1.37–1.43, HL 1.46–1.55, LHT 1.05–1.14, CI 0.90–0.94, FCI 0.09–0.11, REL 0.43–0.45, REL2 0.47–0.50, SI 0.51–0.54, SI3 1.05–1.14, FI 0.38–0.40, PLI 0.68–0.73, PWI 0.63–0.65, LHT/ HW 0.77–0.80, CSC ca. 40–60, MSC ca. 70–120.

Worker diagnosis. Relatively large species, with broad head (CI 0.90–0.94) and eyes of moderate size ( REL 0.43–0.45); posterior margin of eye not attaining the level of the lateral ocelli; frontal carinae moderately separated, the minimum distance between them 0.10× head width ( FCI 0.09–0.11) and about one-fifth of scape length ( MFC / SL 0.18–0.20); scapes of moderate length (SI 0.51–0.54, SI2 0.47–0.50), exceeding eye length (SI3 1.05–1.14); anterior clypeal margin very weakly convex, with a slight median emargination, lacking distinct denticles, at most feebly crenulate ( Fig. 31a ); profemur slender (FI 0.38–0.40); mesonotum bounded posteriorly by a well marked but simple impression, lacking longitudinal rugulae; distinct metanotal plate not present, although anterior extremity of propodeum with a weakly differentiated arched-transverse area; dorsal face of propodeum flattened, laterally submarginate, longer than declivitous face and rounding insensibly into the latter; petiole of moderate length and height ( PL /HW 0.66–0.70; see also PLI and PWI values), with a short anterior peduncle, weak dorsolateral margination, and a modest anteroventral tooth; in profile, petiolar node with anterodorsal and posterodorsal faces rounding insensibly into one another, the anterodorsal face slightly less steeply inclined than the posterodorsal face ( Fig. 31b ); postpetiole longer than broad. Head and mesosoma with scattered punctures, densest on anterior two thirds of head, the interspaces smooth and shiny to weakly reticulate; petiole, postpetiole and gaster smooth and shiny, with fine punctures. Standing pilosity abundant ( CSC ca. 40–60, MSC ca. 70–120, HTC+MTC 9–22), relatively short, grading into the pubescence, which varies from suberect to appressed, and covers most of the body. Dark brownishblack, the mandibles, antennae, tibiae and tarsi variably lighter.

Comments. The workers of this species are relatively large (HW 1.37–1.43, LHT 1.05–1.14) and dark-colored, with distinctive sculpture: the head and mesosoma have scattered punctures on a smooth to weakly reticulate, shiny background. This is in contrast to all other members of the T. natalensis group in which the head and mesosoma are densely punctulate-coriarious, and the integument has a matte appearance. T. setosa also has an exceptionally dense cover of fine, short standing pilosity over the entire body, that grades into suberect pubescence. It is most similar to T. mocquerysi , differing by the sculptural and pilosity differences mentioned above, as well as the broader head (CI 0.90–0.94, versus 0.80–0.90 in T. mocquerysi workers), absence of denticles on the anterior clypeal margin, and a more slender profemur (FI 0.38–0.40 and FW/HW 0.28–0.29, versus FI 0.39–0.47 and FW/HW 0.30–0.35 in T. mocquerysi workers).

Distribution and biology. Tetraponera setosa is known only from one collection series at the type locality, a moist evergreen forest at medium altitude, in western Uganda.

Material examined. Known only from type material.

Figures

FIGURES 31–32. Tetraponera natalensis group workers, full-face (dorsal) view of head (a) and lateral profile of body (b). 31, T. setosa, holotype, Uganda (CASENT0794346); 32, T. kosi, holotype, South Africa (CASENT0815472). Images from AntWeb (www.antweb.org); photographers Matthew Prebus (31), Jill Oberski (32).

FIGURES 41–46. Distribution maps for Afrotropical Tetraponera. 41, T. andrei (circles), T. anthracina (triangles), T. insularis (square); 42, T. caffra (circles), T. redacta (triangles); 43, T. mocquerysi (circles), T. schulthessi (triangles); 44, T. natalensis (circles), T. setosa (triangle); 45, T. aethiops (circles), T. kosi (triangle); 46, T. latifrons (circles).