Tetramorium popell Hita Garcia & Fisher, 2012

Garcia, Francisco Hita & Fisher, Brian L., 2012, The ant genus Tetramorium Mayr (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the Malagasy region — taxonomy of the T. bessonii, T. bonibony, T. dysalum, T. marginatum, T. tsingy, and T. weitzeckeri species groups, Zootaxa 3365, pp. 1-123 : 44-46

Tetramorium popell Hita Garcia & Fisher sp. n.

(figs 34, 57, 58, 59)

Holotype worker, MADAGASCAR, Toliara, Parc National d'Andohahela, Forêt d'Ambohibory , 1.7 km 61° ENE Tsimelahy, 36.1 km 308° NW Tolagnaro, 24.93 S, 46.6455 E, 300 m, tropical dry forest, sifted litter (leaf mold, rotten wood), collection code BLF4916, 16.–20.I.2002 (B.L. Fisher, C. Griswold et al.) ( CASC: CASENT0016867 ) . Paratypes, 12 workers with same data as holotype ( BMNH: CASENT0016870 ; CASC: CASENT0016841 ; CASENT0016842; CASENT0016848; CASENT0016850; CASENT0016790; CASENT0017669; CASENT0017671; CASENT0017691; MHNG: CASENT0017704 ; NHMB: CASENT0016845 ) .

Diagnosis

The following combination of characters separates T. popell from the other species of the group: mesosoma with well-developed anterior face and distinct anterodorsal protuberance on pronotum; petiolar node in profile triangular cuneiform, distinctly anterodorsally compressed dorsally, and highly transverse in dorsal view (LPeI 18– 27; DPeI 400–590); body of uniformly yellowish to brownish colour.

Description

HL 0.64–0.71 (0.67); HW 0.63–0.69 (0.65); SL 0.40–0.44 (0.41); EL 0.16–0.18 (0.16); PH 0.37–0.45 (0.41); PW 0.47–0.56 (0.50); WL 0.80–0.92 (0.85); PSL 0.17–0.22 (0.19); PTL 0.05–0.09 (0.07); PTH 0.26–0.32 (0.29); PTW 0.28–0.34 (0.30); PPL 0.18–0.22 (0.20); PPH 0.26–0.32 (0.29); PPW 0.29–0.36 (0.32); CI 95–99 (97); SI 62–64 (63); OI 25–26 (25); DMI 58–61 (59); LMI 46–51 (48); PSLI 26–31 (28); PeNI 57–63 (60); LPeI 18–27 (24); DPeI 400–590 (450); PpNI 60–67 (64); LPpI 67–75 (71); DPpI 152–167 (159); PPI 102–110 (107) (15 measured).

Head longer than wide (CI 95–99). Anterior clypeal margin with median impression. Frontal carinae weakly to moderately developed, fading out between posterior eye margin and posterior head margin. Antennal scrobes weakly developed, narrow, and shallow. Antennal scapes very short, not reaching posterior head margin (SI 62– 64). Eyes comparatively large (OI 25–26). Mesosoma with well-developed anterior face and anterodorsal median protuberance on pronotum, moderately marginate from lateral to dorsal mesosoma, promesonotal suture and metanotal groove absent, mesosoma comparatively high, compact, and stout (LMI 46–51). Propodeal spines medium-sized to long, spinose, and acute (PSLI 26–31); propodeal lobes small and triangular. Petiolar node in profile triangular cuneiform and strongly anteroposteriorly compressed dorsally, approximately 3.7 to 5.6 times higher than long (LPeI 18–27), anterior and posterior faces not parallel, node in dorsal view highly transverse and very thin, between 4.0 to 5.9 times wider than long (DPeI 400–590). Postpetiole in profile approximately rounded to weakly anteroposteriorly compressed, approximately 1.3 to 1.5 times higher than long (LPpI 67–75), in dorsal view approximately 1.5 to 1.7 times wider than long (DPpI 152–167). Postpetiole in profile more voluminous than petiolar node, in dorsal view as wide as to weakly wider than petiolar node (PPI 102–110). Mandibles striate; clypeus longitudinally rugose with one median ruga distinctly developed and one to three often weaker or shorter rugae laterally; cephalic dorsum between frontal carinae anteriorly and centrally longitudinally rugose, posteriorly reticulate-rugose, dorsum with six to ten longitudinal rugae, rugae ending close to posterior head margin but often broken or with cross-meshes, always with one well-developed longitudinal median ruga, median ruga running from posterior head margin to posterior clypeal margin, approximately at eye level diverging into two rugae leading to posterior clypeal margin; lateral and ventral head reticulate-rugose to longitudinally rugose. Ground sculpture on head usually reticulate-punctate. Mesosoma laterally reticulate-rugose to longitudinally rugose, anteriorly more reticulate-rugose; dorsal mesosoma completely reticulate-rugose. Waist segments and gaster unsculptured, smooth, and shiny. All dorsal surfaces of body with very abundant, moderately long, fine, and erect pilosity. Body of uniform yellow to light brown colour.

Notes

Tetramorium popell is widely distributed in Madagascar. It is especially common in the southeast, the southwest, and the southern part of the Central Plateau, while it is less common in western Madagascar and was found only once in Central Madagascar. Also, it is completely absent from the north and the east, except the southeastern localities around the type locality Andohahela. Tetramorium popell is encountered in tropical dry forests, gallery forests, and spiny forests. Moreover, it was sampled from the leaf litter, the ground, and the lower vegetation. The altitudinal range is 20 to 990 m, but most of the material was sampled from lower elevations.

Within the group, T. popell is unlikely to be mistaken for T. kali , T. vony , T. sada , T. nosybe , or T. olana because they all lack a distinct anterodorsal protuberance on the pronotum which is present and very conspicuous in T. popell . The remaining two species, T. bonibony and T. trafo , also possess the anterodorsal protuberance on the pronotum but cannot be confused with T. popell . Tetramorium bonibony is always distinctly bicoloured, whereas T. popell and T. trafo are of uniformly yellowish to light brown colour. The latter two can be easily separated by the petiolar node shape, which differs significantly. The node is triangular cuneiform and dorsally strongly anteroposteriorly compressed in T. popell (LPeI 18–27; DPeI 400–590), while it is cuneiform and dorsally much less anteroposteriorly compressed in T. trafo (LPeI 48–54; DPeI 161–188).

Despite being widely distributed and seemingly very common, T. popell stays remarkably consistent throughout its range.

Etymology

The new species is named in honour of Andy and Rebecca Popell for their support to discover and identify life on earth.

Material examined

MADAGASCAR: Antananarivo, Ambohitantely, 18.198 S, 47.2815 E, 700 m, forêt sclerophylle, 28.XII.2003 – 10.I.2004 (R. Rin'Ha & M.E. Irwin); Antsiranana, 48 km ENE Morondava, 20.06667 S, 44.65 E, tropical dry forest, 4.I.1991 (D.M. Olson); Fianarantsoa, 1 km E of Isalo National Park Interpretive Center, 22.62667 S, 45.35817 E, 885 m, dry wash, 30.III.–7.IV.2002 (R. Harin'Hala); Fianarantsoa, Parc National d'Isalo, 9.1 km 354° N Ranohira, 22.48167 S, 45.46167 E, 725 m, gallery forest, 27.–31.I.2003 (B.L. Fisher, C. Griswold et al.); Fianarantsoa, Parc National d'Isalo, Sahanafa River, 29.2 km 351° N Ranohira, 22.31333 S, 45.29167 E, 500 m, gallery forest, 10.–13.II.2003 (B.L. Fisher, C. Griswold et al.); Fianarantsoa, Parc National d'Isalo, Ambovo Springs, 29.3 km 4° N Ranohira, 22.29833 S, 45.35167 E, 990 m, Uapaca woodland, 9.–14.II.2003 (B.L. Fisher, C. Griswold et al.); Fianarantsoa, Forêt d'Analalava, 29.6 km 280° W Ranohira, 22.59167 S, 45.12833 E, 770 m, tropical dry forest, 1.–5.II.2003 (B.L. Fisher, C. Griswold et al.); Mahajanga, Forêt de Tsimembo, 8.7 km 336° NNW Soatana, 19.02139 S, 44.44067 E, 20 m, tropical dry forest, 21.–25.XI.2001 (B.L. Fisher, C. Griswold et al.); Mahajanga, Parc National d'Ankarafantsika, Ampijoroa Station Forestière, 40 km 306° NW Andranofasika, 16.32083 S, 46.81067 E, 130 m, tropical dry forest, 26.III.–1.IV.2001 (B.L. Fisher, C. Griswold et al.); Mahajanga, Parc National d'Ankarafantsika, Forêt de Tsimaloto, 18.3 km 46° NE de Tsaramandroso, 16.22806 S, 47.14361 E, 135 m, tropical dry forest, 2.–8.IV.2001 (B.L. Fisher, C. Griswold et al.); Mahajanga, Parc National de Namoroka, 17.8 km 329° WNW Vilanandro, 16.37667 S, 45.32667 E, 100 m, tropical dry forest, 8.–12.XI.2002 (B.L. Fisher, C. Griswold et al.); Mahajanga, Réserve d'Ankoririka, 10.6 km 13° NE de Tsaramandroso, 16.26722 S, 47.04861 E, 210 m, tropical dry forest, 9.–14.IV.2001 (B.L. Fisher, C. Griswold et al.); Mahajanga, Réserve forestière Beanka, 50.7 km E Maintirano, 17.88021 S, 44.46877 E, 140 m, tropical dry forest edge, 30.X.2009 (B.L. Fisher et al.); Toliara, Ampanihy, urban/garden, 10.XII.2006 (B.L. Fisher et al.); Toliara, Antafoky, 23.47861 S, 44.06417 E, 55 m, gallery forest, 25.–28.I.2002 (Frontier Project); Toliara, Berenty, 12 km NW Amboasary, 5.–15.V.1983 (J.S. Noyes & M.C. Day); Toliara, Beza Mahafaly, 27 km E Betioky, 23.65 S, 44.63333 E, 135 m, tropical dry forest, 23.IV.1997 (B.L. Fisher); Toliara, Beza Mahafaly Reserve, near research station, Parcel I, 23.6865 S, 44.591 E, 165 m, dry deciduous forest, 10.XI.2001 – 29.IV.2002 (R. Harin'Hala); Toliara, Beza Mahafaly Reserve, Parcel 1, 23.65 S, 44.63333333 E, 130 m, tropical dry forest, 13.II.1993 (P.S. Ward); Toliara, Fiherenana, 23.17694 S, 43.96083 E, 100 m, gallery forest, 21.–24.X.2002 (Frontier Project); Toliara, Fiherenana, 23.22252 S, 43.88088 E, 65 m, degraded gallery forest, 5.–7.VIII.2003 (Frontier Wilderness Project); Toliara, Forêt de Mahavelo, Isantoria River, 24.75833 S, 46.15717 E, 110 m, spiny forest/thicket, 28.I.–1.II.2002 (B.L. Fisher, C. Griswold et al.); Toliara, Forêt de Mite, 20.7 km 29° WNW Tongobory, 23.52417 S, 44.12133 E, 75 m, gallery forest, 27.II.–3.III.2002 (B.L. Fisher, C. Griswold et al.); Toliara, Forêt Vohidava 88.9 km N Amboasary, 24.24067 S, 46.28783 E, 500 m, spiny forest/dry forest transition, 6.–9.XII.2006 (B.L. Fisher et al.); Toliara, Makay Mts., 21.2098 S, 45.3418 E, 525 m, gallery forest, 27.XI.–2.XII.2010 (B.L. Fisher et al.); Toliara, Manombo, 22.81092 S, 43.7344 E, 177 m, gallery forest, 30.IV.–2.V.2004 (Frontier Wilderness Project); Toliara, Manombo, 22.8123 S, 43.73932 E, 165 m, gallery forest, 22.–24.V.2004 (Frontier Wilderness Project); Toliara, 3.5 km 236° SW Marovato, 25.55389 S, 45.25583 E, 230 m, spiny forest/thicket, 14.II.2002 (B.L. Fisher, C. Griswold et al.); Toliara, Mikea Forest, 22.91333 S, 43.48222 E, 37 m, spiny forest, 20.–27.XI.2001 (R. Harin'Hala); Toliara, Parc National d'Andohahela, Forêt d'Ambohibory, 1.7 km 61° ENE Tsimelahy, 36.1 km 308° NW Tolagnaro, 24.93 S, 46.6455 E, 300 m, tropical dry forest, 16.–20.I.2002 (B.L. Fisher, C. Griswold et al.); Toliara, Parc National de Kirindy Mite, 16.3 km 127° SE Belo sur Mer, 20.79528 S, 44.147 E, 80 m, tropical dry forest, 6.–10.XII.2001 (B.L. Fisher, C. Griswold et al.); Toliara, Parc National de Zombitse, 19.8 km 84° E Sakaraha, 22.84333 S, 44.71 E, 770 m, tropical dry forest, 5.– 9.II.2003 (B.L. Fisher, C. Griswold et al.); Toliara, Réserve Berenty, 25.01667 S, 46.3 E, 25 m, tropical dry forest, 10.XII.1992 (B.L. Fisher); Toliara, Réserve Berenty, 25.01667 S, 46.3 E, 25 m, tropical dry forest, 9.II.1993 (P.S. Ward); Toliara, Réserve Privé Berenty, Forêt de Bealoka, Mandraré River, 14.6 km 329° NNW Amboasary, 24.95694 S, 46.2715 E, 35 m, gallery forest, 3.–8.II.2002 (B.L. Fisher, C. Griswold et al.); Toliara, Réserve Privé Berenty, Forêt de Malaza, Mandraré River, 8.6 km 314° NW Amboasary, 25.00778 S, 46.306 E, 40 m, gallery forest, 6.II.2002 (B.L. Fisher, C. Griswold et al.); Toliara, Reserve Special Berenty, 8 km NW Amboasary, 58 km SW of Fort Dauphin, 25.00667 S, 46.30333 E, 85 m, gallery forest, 25.–26.X.2002 (M.E. Irwin, F.D. Parker & R. Harin'Hala); Toliara, Reserve Special Berenty, 25.00667 S, 46.30333 E, 85 m, gallery forest, 7.I.2003 – 13.I.2004 (R. Rin'Ha & M.E. Irwin); Toliara, Reserve Special Berenty, 25.021 S, 46.3055 E, 37 m, spiny forest, 10.VI.2003 – 24.III.2004 (R. Rin'Ha & M.E. Irwin); Toliara, southern Isoky-Vohimena Forest, 59 km NE Sakaraha, 22.46667 S, 44.85 E, 730 m, tropical dry forest, 21.I.1996 (B.L. Fisher).