Tetramorium wardi 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 : 28-29

Tetramorium wardi Hita Garcia & Fisher sp. n.

(figs 6, 26, 27, 28)

Holotype worker, MADAGASCAR, Toliara, Forêt de Mahavelo, Isantoria River , 5.5 km 37° NE Ifotaka, 24.75361 S, 46.1515 E, 115 m, spiny forest/thicket, BLF5278, 31.I.2002 (B.L. Fisher et al.) ( CASC: CASENT0475483 ) . Paratypes, 18 workers with same data as holotype ( BMNH: CASENT0475485 ; CASC: CASENT0475339 ; CASENT0475344; CASENT0475340; CASENT0475345; CASENT0475349; CASENT0475352; CASENT0475368; CASENT0475379; CASENT0475380; CASENT0475432; CASENT0475433; CASENT0475461; CASENT0475481; CASENT0475484; CASENT0475485; CASENT0475487; MCZ: CASENT0475462 ; NHMB: CASENT0475386 ); and 27 workers from Toliara, Forêt de Mahavelo, Isantoria River , 24.75833 S, 46.15717 E, 110 m, spiny forest/thicket, collection codes BLF5238, BLF5281 & BLF5288, 28.I.– 1.II.2002 (B.L. Fisher et al.) ( CASENT0192249 ; CASENT0192251; CASENT0192252; CASENT0192256; CASENT0442862; CASENT0442863; CASENT0442864; CASENT0442865; CASENT0442867; CASENT0442868; CASENT0447647; CASENT0447648; CASENT0447649; CASENT0447650; CASENT0447651; CASENT0447652; MHNG: CASENT0442866 ).

Diagnosis

Tetramorium wardi can be clearly distinguished from the other members of the group by: head approximately as long as wide (CI 98–101); node squamiform and strongly anteroposteriorly compressed with anterodorsal margin situated higher than posterodorsal margin, dorsum tapering backwards posteriorly, in dorsal view strongly transverse (DPeI 267–333); and cephalic dorsum between frontal carinae with one strong median ruga and several weaker, irregular rugae at each side.

Description

HL 0.69–85 (76); HW 0.68–0.85 (076); SL 0.48–0.60 (0.54); EL 0.16–0.19 (0.18); PH 0.39–0.51 (0.45); PW 0.50– 0.66 (0.59); WL 0.84–1.06 (0.98); PSL 0.19–0.26 (0.22); PTL 0.09–0.12 (0.10); PTH 0.30–0.39 (0.34); PTW 0.27– 0.333 (0.31); PPL 0.21–0.26 (0.24); PPH 0.30–0.38 (0.35); PPW 26–35 (30); CI 98–101 (100); SI 68–74 (71); OI 22–24 (23); DMI 57–63 (61); LMI 43–49 (47); PSLI 27–31 (29); PeNI 48–54 (52); LPeI 26–35 (30); DPeI 267– 333 (297); PpNI 63–71 (66); LPpI 63–71 (68); DPpI 158–174 (165); PPI 121–134 (128) (15 measured).

Head approximately as long as wide (CI 98–101). Anterior clypeal margin with distinct median impression. Frontal carinae well developed, ending shortly before posterior head margin. Antennal scrobes faint to absent, posterior and ventral margins never differentiated. Antennal scapes short, not reaching posterior head margin (SI 68–74). Eyes small to moderate (OI 22–24). Mesosomal outline in profile convex, dorsally transversely rounded, weakly to moderately marginate from lateral to dorsal mesosoma, promesonotal suture absent, metanotal groove weakly developed to absent; mesosoma comparatively stout (LMI 43–49). Propodeal spines elongate-triangular, long, and acute (PSLI 27–31). Propodeal lobes very small and broadly triangular. Petiolar node strongly squamiform and anteroposteriorly compressed, anterior and posterior faces not parallel, anterodorsal margin higher situated and better developed than weaker posterodorsal margin, dorsum tapering backwards posteriorly; node in dorsal view transverse, between 2.6 to 3.3 times wider than long (DPeI 267–333), in lateral view approximately 2.9 to 3.9 times higher than long (LPeI 26–35). Postpetiole in profile rounded and weakly anteroposteriorly compressed, approximately 1.4 to 1.5 times higher than long (LPpI 63–71), in dorsal view between 1.5 to 1.7 times wider than long (DPpI 158–174). Postpetiole in profile more voluminous than petiolar node, in dorsal view approximately 1.2 to 1.3 times wider than petiolar node (PPI 121–134). Mandibles striate; clypeus always with strong median longitudinal ruga and one or two weaker rugae at each side; cephalic dorsum between frontal carinae with one well-developed longitudinal median ruga and several irregular longitudinal rugae laterally, rugae becoming weaker shortly after level of posterior eye margin fading out well before posterior head margin, median ruga of same length as frontal carinae and diverging approximately at eye level into two rugae running to posterior clypeal margin; lateral and ventral head mostly with irregular longitudinal rugulae, malar area reticulate-rugose; head with faint punctate ground sculpture. Mesosoma, waist segments, and gaster unsculptured, smooth and shiny; ground sculpture on mesosomal dorsum, waist segments, and gaster faint to absent, lateral mesosoma with moderate punctate ground sculpture ventrally and posteriorly. Head with few standing hairs, mesosoma, waist segments, and first gastral tergite without any standing hairs; head, mesosoma, petiole, postpetiole, and gaster with widely spaced very short pubescence. Colouration mostly of uniform brownish colour, often head, legs, and gaster of much darker brown than mesosoma and waist segments.

Notes

The distribution of T. wardi appears to be restricted to the southwest and southeast of Madagascar, where it is generally found in spiny forest, thicket, or tropical dry forest habitats.

Within the T. bessonii group, T. wardi can be grouped together with T. artemis and T. bessonii due to a shared petiolar node shape that distinguishes them from T. malagasy , T. orientale , and T. ryanphelanae . The petiolar node of the latter three is high nodiform with approximately parallel anterior and posterior faces and anterodorsal and posterodorsal angles at about the same height, whereas the node of the first mentioned is strongly anteroposteriorly compressed and squamiform with an anterodorsal angle situated higher than the posterodorsal, and a dorsal face tapering backwards posteriorly. Tetramorium wardi can be easily distinguished from T. bessonii on the basis of head shape and gastral pubescence. The latter species has a head approximately as long as wide (CI 98–101) and very short, appressed pubescence on the first gastral tergite, which contrasts with a longer head (CI 92–96) and distinctly longer, appressed to decumbent pubescence in T. bessonii . Tetramorium artemis , which is only known from Cap Saint Marie, is morphologically fairly similar to T. wardi , although both can be clearly separated. The petiolar node of T. wardi is stronger anteroposteriorly compressed and transverse (DPeI 267–333) than in T. artemis (DPeI 232–250). A better observable difference is the cephalic sculpture between the frontal carinae since it consists of one median ruga with several irregular rugae laterally in T. wardi , whereas T. artemis displays only one median ruga.

Etymology

The new species is dedicated to Phil S. Ward from Davis, California, U.S.A. We want to honour his lifetime of dedication and significant contributions to ant systematics.

Material examined

MADAGASCAR: Fianarantsoa, Forêt d'Analalava, 29.6 km 280° W Ranohira, 22.59167 S, 45.12833 E, 700 m, tropical dry forest, 1.–5.II.2003 (B.L. Fisher et al.); 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, Forêt de Beroboka, 5.9 km 131° SE Ankidranoka, 22.23306 S, 43.36633 E, 80 m, tropical dry forest, 12.–16.III.2002 (B.L. Fisher et al.); 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 et al.); Toliara, Forêt de Mahavelo, Isantoria River, 5.5 km 37° NE Ifotaka, 24.75361 S, 46.1515 E, 115 m, spiny forest/thicket, 31.I.2002 (B.L. Fisher et al.); Toliara, Forêt de Tsinjoriaky, 6.2 km 84° E Tsifota, 22.80222 S, 43.42067 E, 70 m, spiny forest/thicket, 6.–10.III.2002 (B.L. Fisher et al.); Toliara, Forêt Vohidava 88.9 km N Amboasary, 24.24067 S, 46.28783 E, 500 m, 6.–8.XII.2006 (B.L. Fisher et al.); Toliara, Mahafaly Plateau, 6.2 km 74° ENE Itampolo, 24.65361 S, 43.99667 E, 80 m, spiny forest/thicket, 21.–25.II.2002 (B.L. Fisher et al.); Toliara, Parc National d'Andohahela, Forêt de Manantalinjo, 33.6 km 63° ENE Amboasary, 7.6 km 99° E Hazofotsy, 24.81694 S, 46.61 E, 150 m, spiny forest/thicket, 12.–16.I.2002 (B.L. Fisher et al.); 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 et al.); Toliara, Parc National de Tsimanampetsotsa, 6.7 km 130° SE Efoetse, 23.0 km 175° S Beheloka, 24.10056 S, 43.76 E, 25 m, spiny forest/thicket, 18.–22.III.2002 (B.L. Fisher et al.); Toliara, Parc National de Tsimanampetsotsa, Mitoho Cave, 6.4 km 77° ENE Efoetse, 17.4 km 170° S Beheloka, 24.04722 S, 43.75317 E, 40 m, spiny forest/thicket, 18.–22.III.2002 (B.L. Fisher et al.); Toliara, Parc National de Tsimanampetsotsa, Forêt de Bemanateza, 20.7 km 81° E Efoetse, 23.0 km 131° SE Beheloka, 23.99222 S, 43.88067 E, 90 m, spiny forest/thicket, 22.–26.III.2002 (B.L. Fisher 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 et al.); Toliara, Ranobe, 23.0342 S, 43.61185 E, 30 m, spiny forest/thicket, 5.–9.II.2003 (Frontier Project); Toliara, Ranobe, 23.04067 S, 43.60973 E, 20 m, degraded gallery forest, 17.–21.V.2003 (Frontier Wilderness Project); Toliara, Sept Lacs, 23.52472 S, 44.15917 E, 160 m, spiny thicket gallery forest transition, 10.III.2002 (Frontier Project); 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); Toliara, Vohibasia Forest, 59 km NE Sakaraha 22.46667 S, 44.85 E, 780 m, tropical dry forest, 13.I.1996 (B.L. Fisher).