Carebara kabosy Azorsa & Fisher

Azorsa, Frank & Fisher, Brian L., 2018, Taxonomy of the ant genus Carebara Westwood (Formicidae, Myrmicinae) in the Malagasy Region, ZooKeys 767, pp. 1-149 : 1

Carebara kabosy Azorsa & Fisher sp. n.

Holotype.

(major worker), MADAGASCAR, Antsiranana , Parc National Montagne d’Ambre, 3.6 km 235° SW Joffreville, -12.53444, 49.1795, 925 m, montane rainforest, 20-26.i.2001, (Fisher, Griswold et al.). Collection code BLF02564, (CASC: CASENT0438062). Paratypes: (35 major workers and 17 minor workers), with same data as holotype, 34 major workers (BMNH: CASENT0438053, CASC: CASENT0437873, CASENT0437718, CASENT0437914, CASENT0437996, CASENT0438102, CASENT0437701, CASENT0437890, CASENT0437950, CASENT0438160, CASENT0437677, CASENT0437753, CASENT0437723, CASENT0437772, CASENT0437702, CASENT0437694, CASENT0437692, CASENT0437948, CASENT0437989, CASENT0437956, CASENT0437793, CASENT0438100, CASENT0437999, CASENT0437787, CASENT0437997, CASENT0438015, CASENT0437988, CASENT0437676, CASENT0437955, CASENT0437691, CASENT0437933, MCZ: CASENT0437910, MHNG: CASENT0437953, NHMB: CASENT0437958), and 17 minor workers (BMNH: CASENT0437746, CASC: CASENT0437751, CASENT0437877, CASENT0437886, CASENT0437888, CASENT0437887, CASENT0437739, CASENT0437747, CASENT0437889, CASENT0437891, CASENT0437884, CASENT0437904, CASENT0437895, CASENT0437728, MCZ: CASENT0437880, MHNG: CASENT0437731, NHMB: CASENT0437892), 1 major worker with same data as holotype but with collection code BLF02565, (CASC: CASENT0439968).

Diagnosis.

Antennae ten-segmented. Major: Head longer than wide, lateral margins convex to nearly straight, posterolateral corners well developed and narrowed posteriorly, posterior margin of head deeply concave in the middle; dorsum of propodeum flat, combined outline of dorsal surface of peduncle and anterior face of node concave to nearly straight in larger major workers, posterior face vertical and nearly straight; gaster with short decumbent hairs and longer subdecumbent hairs. Minor: Head longer than wide, posterior margin of head concave; dorsum of propodeum nearly flat, anterodorsal corner slightly convex, posterodorsal corner with a pair of small triangular teeth; combined outline of dorsal surface of peduncle and anterior face of node concave, posterior face weakly convex.

Description of major workers.

Measurements (n=31): HL 0.63-1.16 (0.97); HW 0.49-0.91 (0.74); SL 0.25-0.41 (0.34); ML 0.14-0.27 (0.21); EL 0.01-0.09 (0.03); EM 0.17-0.29 (0.27); HD 0.35-0.69 (0.58); WL 0.52-0.96 (0.73); PSL 0.06-0.14 (0.09); PW 0.29-0.58 (0.46); MFL 0.28-0.58 (0.44); MFW 0.07-0.14 (0.10); MTL 0.21-0.46 (0.34); PTL 0.19-0.36 (0.30); PNL 0.09-0.15 (0.12); PTH 0.15-0.28 (0.21); PTW 0.13-0.25 (0.20); PPL 0.12-0.23 (0.18); PPNL 0.11-0.21 (0.16); PPH 0.12-0.24 (0.18); PPW 0.17-0.32 (0.24); GL 0.45-1.36 (0.70); GW 0.37-0.87 (0.63); CI 75-84 (76); MI 22-26 (22); SI 29-43 (35); MLI 57-67 (59); PPLI 53-71 (60); PPI 117-143 (120); PSI 11-16 (12).

Head longer than wide (CI 75-84), in full-face view nearly subrectangular, about 1.2 times longer than wide. Posterior margin of head deeply concave in the middle, posterolateral corners well developed, rounded and narrowed posteriorly, lateral margins convex to nearly straight. Mandibles with six teeth. Anterior margin of clypeus concave, and laterally convex. Ocelli absent or present. Antennae with ten segments. Scapes short (HL 0.63-1.16, SL 0.25-0.41, SI 29-43). Eyes present, consisting of one or more ommatidia (EL 0.01-0.09). Supraclypeal area short, triangular and well defined.

In profile view, posterolateral corner of head with a small angulate tooth. Promesonotum high and nearly rounded, metanotal groove deeply impressed. Propodeum lower than promesonotum, and about 15 times higher than long, dorsal face of propodeum flat and declining posteriorly, posterodorsal corners each armed with a triangular tooth, declivity of propodeum concave with thin lateral laminae. Propodeal lobes short and convex. Propodeal spiracle rounded and situated above mid-height of sclerite by about half the diameter of the spiracle, and beyond mid-length of sclerite by about the diameter of the spiracle, distance from propodeal spiracle to posterodorsal corner of propodeum about four times the diameter of the spiracle (PSL 0.06-0.14), and distance to declivity about 1.5 times the diameter of the spiracle. In dorsal view, anterior margin and sides of promesonotum rounded, and about as long as wide; sides of propodeum straight.

Petiole longer than high (PTL 0.19-0.36, PTH 0.15-0.28) and with relatively short peduncle, ventral face medially convex. Combined outline of dorsal surface of peduncle and anterior face of node medially concave, posterior face of node vertical and nearly straight, anterodorsal and posterodorsal corners rounded, dorsum nearly rounded. Subpetiolar process produced as small denticle, almost as large as the diameter of the propodeal spiracle. Postpetiolar node rounded and slightly lower than petiolar node. In dorsal view, postpetiolar node slightly wider than petiolar node (PTW 0.13-0.25, PPW 0.17-0.32) and petiolar node wider than long (PNL 0.09-0.15, PTW 0.13-0.25), anterior and posterior margins of petiole straight, anterior margin of postpetiole straight, and posterior margin convex, sides rounded in petiole, and postpetiole.

Dorsal surface of mandibles, clypeus, supraclypeal area and frons smooth and shiny, with scattered piligerous punctae on head and mandibles. Head with longitudinal and parallel rugae directed to posterior margin of head, gena with longitudinal rugae extending to posterolateral corners. Posterolateral portion of cephalic dorsum smooth and shiny. Sides of pronotum finely areolate, median area smooth and shiny on small and median major workers, areolate katepisternum, metapleuron with longitudinal rugae and finely areolate. Anterior margin of pronotum finely areolate. Petiole, ventral and lateral margins of postpetiole areolate. In dorsal view, promesonotum, and postpetiole smooth and shiny medially, propodeum and petiole finely areolate.

Lateral margins of head with short decumbent hairs and long suberect hairs. Posterior margin of head with short and long suberect hairs. Scapes with appressed hairs. Outer margin of mandibles with short appressed hairs. Mesosoma with short and long suberect hairs. Petiole with long subdecumbent hairs, postpetiole with short appressed hairs and long decumbent hairs. Tibia with appressed hairs. Gaster with short decumbent or appressed hairs and long suberect or sudecumbent hairs. Color yellowish ferruginous.

Description of minor workers.

Measurements (n=29): HL 0.35-0.44; HW 0.31-0.39; SL 0.22-0.28; ML 0.09-0.12; EL 0.01-0.02; EM 0.10-0.13; HD 0.22-0.28; WL 0.35-0.45; PSL 0.04-0.06; PW 0.18-0.24; MFL 0.22-0.29; MFW 0.05-0.07; MTL 0.12-0.22; PTL 0.12-0.20; PNL 0.07-0.08; PTH 0.10-0.13; PTW 0.08-0.11; PPL 0.08-0.11; PPNL 0.07-0.10; PPH 0.07-0.10; PPW 0.11-0.15; GL 0.31-0.47; GW 0.23-0.36; CI 84-95; MI 23-28; SI 61-68; MLI 64-80; PPLI 50-73; PPI 118-150; PSI 11-17.

Head longer than wide (CI 84-95), in full-face view nearly subrectangular, about 1.2 times longer than wide. Posterior margin of head slightly concave in the middle, posterolateral corners rounded, lateral margins slightly convex. Mandibles with five teeth. Anterior margin of clypeus almost straight, and laterally angulate. Antennae with ten segments. Scape fails to reach the posterior margin of head (HL 0.35-0.44, SL 0.22-0.28, SI 61-68). Eyes present, consisting of one ommatidium (EL 0.01-0.02). Supraclypeal area triangular but not well defined.

In profile view, promesonotum weakly convex, nearly flat, metanotal groove deeply impressed. Propodeum about 1.4 times higher than long, dorsal face of propodeum flat and declining posteriorly, anterodorsal corner of propodeum weakly convex, posterodorsal corners each armed with a small triangular tooth, declivity weakly concave with thin lateral laminae. Propodeal lobes short and convex. Propodeal spiracle nearly oval and situated weakly above mid-height of sclerite by about half the diameter of the spiracle, and beyond mid-length of sclerite by about 1.5 times the diameter of the spiracle, distance from propodeal spiracle to posterodorsal corner of propodeum about 2.5 times the diameter of the spiracle (PSL 0.04-0.06), and distance to declivity almost the same as the diameter of the spiracle. In dorsal view, anterior margin of promesonotum convex, sides convex and narrowed posteriorly, slightly longer than wide; sides of propodeum straight.

Petiole longer than high (PTL 0.12-0.20, PTH 0.10-0.13) and with a short peduncle, ventral face medially convex. Combined outline of dorsal surface of peduncle and anterior face of node medially concave, posterior face weakly convex, anterodorsal and posterodorsal corner rounded, dorsum nearly rounded. Subpetiolar process is reduced to a small convexity, shorter than the diameter of the propodeal spiracle. Postpetiolar node convex and lower than petiolar node. In dorsal view, petiolar node not as broad as postpetiolar node (PTW 0.08-0.11, PPW 0.11-0.15), petiolar node wider than long (PNL 0.07-0.08, PTW 0.08-0.11), anterior and posterior margins of petiole weakly convex, and nearly straight in postpetiole.

Dorsal surface of mandibles, clypeus, supraclypeal area and frons smooth and shiny, with scattered piligerous punctae on head and mandibles. Gena and frontal lobes with longitudinal rugae, and transversely rugose close to posterior margin of head. Mesosoma smooth and shiny, except for katepisternum (areolate) and metapleuron (areolate and with longitudinal rugosities). Petiole and ventral face of postpetiole areolate. In dorsal view, dorsal face of promesonotum, postpetiole and gaster smooth and shiny; anterior margin of promesonotum, dorsum of propodeum and petiole finely areolate.

Lateral margins and posterior margin of head and scape with decumbent hairs. Outer margin of mandibles with appressed hairs. Mesosoma with short subdecumbent hairs and long suberect or subdecumbent hairs. Petiole and postpetiole with short appressed hairs and long subdecumbent hairs. Tibia with appressed hairs. Gaster with short decumbent or appressed hairs and long subdecumbent hairs. Color yellowish ferruginous.

Distribution and biology.

Carebara kabosy was found in the north, northeastern and northwestern areas of Madagascar (Figure 68). The main habitats were montane forest, montane rainforest, rainforest, and tropical forest. C. kabosy is distributed at elevations ranging from 25 m to 1325 m. The specimens were collected using maxi-Winkler and pitfall traps. The microhabitats where it occurs include rotten logs, rotten tree stumps, sifted litter, leaf mold, rotten wood, under moss on rotten logs, and under stones.

Comments.

Carebara kabosy can be confused with C. vazimba but can be separated by the length of the propodeal tooth, which is shorter than propodeal spiracle diameter in C. vazimba while in C. kabosy is slightly longer. C. kabosy is distributed in the north, northeastern and northwestern areas of Madagascar, while C. vazimba is present in the north of Madagascar. Other twelve species were recorded at the same localities: C. bara , C. berivelo , C. betsi , C. demeter , C. grandidieri , C. hainteny , C. jajoby , C. mahafaly , C. malagasy , C. nosindambo , C. raberi , and C. salegi .

C. kabosy have three intermediates in the major worker subcaste (Figure 46). The posterolateral corner of head of intermediates 2 and 3 is nearly rounded, and slightly narrowed in intermediate 1, and the posterior margin of the head is deeply concave in all intermediates. The lateral margins of the head are nearly straight in intermediate 3, and slightly convex in intermediates 1 and 2. Eyes are small and reduced to one ommatidium in intermediates 1 and 2 but have up to 20 ommatidia in intermediate 3. Ocelli are absent in intermediate 1, shallowly marked in intermediate 2, and present and well developed in intermediate 3 (one ocellus). Reduced flight sclerites are present in intermediate 3. The dorsum of the mesosoma is convex anteriorly, gradually sloping to the declivity in intermediate 3, but the promesonotum is high and nearly rounded in intermediates 1 and 2. The petiole and postpetiole vary little in shape among all intermediates, but the anterior margin of the petiole is nearly straight in intermediate 3. The propodeum is armed with a pair of triangular teeth in all intermediates. The head is smooth and shiny in front and has longitudinal and parallel rugae in full-face view. The pilosity on the head and body follow the same pattern in all intermediates, but intermediate 3 has more abundant short decumbent to appressed hairs on the gaster.

Additional material examined.

MADAGASCAR: Antsiranana : Forêt de Binara, 7.5 km 230° SW Daraina, -13.255, 49.61667, 375 m, tropical dry forest, 1.xii.2003, (B.L. Fisher); Antsiranana , Parc National de Marojejy, Antranohofa, 26.6 km 31° NNE Andapa, 10.7 km 318° NW Manantenina, -14.44333, 49.74333, 1325 m, montane rainforest, 18.xi.2003, (B.L. Fisher); Antsiranana , Forêt de Binara, 9.1 km 233° SW Daraina, -13.26333, 49.60333, 800 m, rainforest, 3.xii.2003, (B.L. Fisher); Antsiranana , Forêt de Binara, 9.4 km 235° SW Daraina, -13.26333, 49.6, 1100 m, montane rainforest, 5.xii.2003, (B.L. Fisher); Antsiranana , Parc National de Marojejy, Manantenina River, 27.6 km 35° NE Andapa, 9.6 km 327° NNW Manantenina, -14.435, 49.76, 775 m, rainforest, 15-18.xi.2003, (B.L. Fisher et al.); Antsiranana , Parc National de Marojejy, Manantenina River, 28.0 km 38° NE Andapa, 8.2 km 333° NNW Manantenina, -14.43667, 49.775, 450 m, rainforest, 12-15.xi.2003, (B.L. Fisher et al.); Antsiranana , Forêt Ambanitaza, 26.1 km 347° Antalaha, -14.67933, 50.18367, 240 m, rainforest, 26.xi.2004, (B.L. Fisher); Antsiranana , Forêt d’ Antsahabe, 11.4km 275° W Daraina, -13.21167, 49.55667, 550 m, tropical dry forest, 14.xii.2003, (B.L. Fisher); Antsiranana , Parc National Montagne d’Ambre, Ambre grand lac, -12.59656, 49.15932, 1350 m, montane rainforest, 13.xi.2007, (B.L. Fisher et al.); Antsiranana , Parc National Montagne d’Ambre, Mahasarika, -12.53176, 49.17662, 1135 m, montane rainforest, 19.xi.2007, (B.L. Fisher et al.); Antsiranana , Parc National Montagne d’Ambre, Roussettes, -12.52574, 49.17238, 1025 m, montane rainforest, 15.xi.2007, (B.L. Fisher et al.); Antsiranana , Parc National Montagne d’Ambre, Crête, -12.58132, 49.13368, 1110 m, montane rainforest, 13.xi.2007, (B.L. Fisher et al.); Antsiranana , Parc National Montagne d’Ambre, Antomboka, -12.51269, 49.17807, 970 m, montane rainforest, 17.xi.2007, (B.L. Fisher et al.); Antsiranana , Parc National Montagne d’Ambre, Antomboka, -12.51269, 49.17807, 970 m, montane rainforest, 16.xi.2007, (B.L. Fisher et al.); Antsiranana , Parc National Montagne d’Ambre, Antomboka, -12.51269, 49.17807, 970 m, montane rainforest, 19.xi.2007, (B.L. Fisher et al.); Antsiranana , Parc National Montagne d’Ambre, -12.51778, 49.17957, 1000 m, montane rainforest, 5.iii.2011, (B.L. Fisher et al.); Antsiranana , Makirovana forest, -14.17066, 49.95409, 225 m, rainforest, 4.v.2011, (B.L. Fisher et al.); Antsiranana , Parc National Montagne d’Ambre, -12.53417, 49.17607, 1325 m, montane rainforest, 12.iii.2011, (B.L. Fisher et al.); Antsiranana , Parc National Montagne d’Ambre, -12.51389, 49.17784, 984 m, montane rainforest, 23.ii.2011, (B.L. Fisher et al.); Antsiranana , Parc National Montagne d’Ambre, -12.51389, 49.17784, 984 m, montane rainforest, 25.ii.2011, (B.L. Fisher et al.); Antsiranana , Parc National Montagne d’Ambre, -12.51389, 49.17784, 984 m, montane rainforest, 26.ii.2011, (B.L. Fisher et al.); Antsiranana , Makirovana forest, -14.17066, 49.95409, 225 m, rainforest, 4-6.v.2011, (B.L. Fisher et al.); Antsiranana , Makirovana forest, -14.16044, 49.95216, 550 m, rainforest, 1-2.v.2011, (B.L. Fisher et al.); Antsiranana , Makirovana forest, -14.17066, 49.95409, 415 m, rainforest, 29.iv.2011, (B.L. Fisher et al.); Antsiranana , Makirovana forest, -14.16666, 49.95, 715 m, rainforest, 1-2.v.2011, (B.L. Fisher et al.); Antsiranana , Makirovana forest, -14.17066, 49.95409, 415 m, rainforest, 28-29.iv.2011, (B.L. Fisher et al.); Antsiranana , Galoko chain, Mont Galoko, -13.58487, 48.71818, 520 m, rainforest, 17.ii.2013, (B.L. Fisher et al.); Antsiranana , Galoko chain, Mont Galoko, -13.5888, 48.72864, 980 m, montane forest, 18.ii.2013, (B.L. Fisher et al.); Antsiranana , Galoko chain, Mont Galoko, -13.58745, 48.71419, 380 m, rainforest, 23.ii.2013, (B.L. Fisher et al.); Antsiranana , Galoko chain, Mont Galoko, -13.59358, 48.73157, 1100 m, montane forest, 22.ii.2013, (B.L. Fisher et al.); Antsiranana , Ampasindava, Forêt d’Ambilanivy, 3.9 km 181° S Ambaliha, -13.79861, 48.16167, 600 m, rainforest, 4-9.iii.2001, (Fisher, Griswold et al.); Antsiranana , Parc National Montagne d’Ambre, 12.2 km 211° SSW Joffreville, -12.59639, 49.1595, 1300 m, montane rainforest, 2-7.ii.2001, (Fisher, Griswold et al.); Antsiranana , Forêt de Binara, 9.4km 235° SW Daraina, -13.26333, 49.6, 1100 m, montane rainforest, 6.xii.2003, (B.L. Fisher); Antsiranana , Réserve Spéciale Manongarivo, 14.5 km 220° SW Antanambao, -13.99833, 48.42833, 1175 m, montane rainforest, 20.x.1998, (B.L. Fisher); Toamasina: 6.9 km NE Ambanizana, Ambohitsitondroina, -15.58506, 50.00952, 825 m, rainforest, 2.xii.1993, (B.L. Fisher); Toamasina, Montagne d’Anjanaharibe, 18.0 km 21° NNE Ambinanitelo, -15.18833, 49.615, 470 m, rainforest, 8-12.iii.2003, (Fisher, Griswold et al.); Toamasina, Montagne d’Anjanaharibe, 19.5 km 27° NNE Ambinanitelo, -15.17833, 49.635, 1100 m, montane rainforest, 12-16.iii.2003, (Fisher, Griswold et al.); Toamasina, Montagne d’Akirindro 7.6 km 341° NNW Ambinanitelo, -15.28833, 49.54833, 600 m, rainforest, 17-21.iii.2003, (Fisher, Griswold et al.); Toamasina, Station Forestière Analamazaotra, Analamazaotra 1.3 km S Andasibe, -18.38466, 48.41271, 980 m, montane rainforest, 11-13.xii.2007, (B.L. Fisher et al.); Toamasina, Réserve Spéciale Ambatovaky, Sandrangato river, -16.77274, 49.26551, 450 m, rainforest, 20-22.ii.2010, (B.L. Fisher et al.); Toamasina, Réserve Spéciale Ambatovaky, Sandrangato river, -16.7633, 49.26692, 520 m, rainforest, 22-24.ii.2010, (B.L. Fisher et al.); Toamasina, Réserve Spéciale Ambatovaky, Sandrangato river, -16.81753, 49.29498, 360 m, rainforest, 25-27.ii.2010, (B.L. Fisher et al.); Toamasina, 6.3 km S Ambanizana, Andranobe, -15.6813, 49.958, 25 m, rainforest, 14.xi.1993, (B.L. Fisher); Toamasina, Corridor Forestier Analamay-Mantadia, Ambohibolakely, -18.77908, 48.36628, 1014 m, rainforest, 23-28.xi.2012, (B.L. Fisher et al.); Toamasina, Corridor Forestier Analamay-Mantadia, Ambohibolakely, -18.76131, 48.36437, 983 m, rainforest, 23-28.xi.2012, (B.L. Fisher et al.).