Royidris clarinodis (Heterick) Heterick, 2014

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 : 47-48

Royidris clarinodis (Heterick) comb. n.

(Figs 42-44, Map 136)

Monomorium clarinodis Heterick , 2006: 89, figs 14, 35, 36. Holotype and paratype workers, MADAGASCAR: Prov. Toliara, 6.1 km. 182° S Marovato, 25°35'S, 45°18'E, 20 m., 14.ii.2002, BLF 5528, under stone, spiny forest thicket (holotype CASENT0453836) (Fisher et al.) (CASC, BMNH, ANIC, MCZC) [CASC examined]. Comb. n.

NOTE. Heterick (2006: 89) specifically restricted the clarinodis type-series to those specimens with the same data as the holotype, i.e. the series numbered BLF 5528 and with the locality data given above. However, in CASC there is at least one specimen, name-tagged and labelled as a paratype by Heterick, which has been partially mislabelled and wrongly included in the type-series. The upper data label on the pin of this specimen gives BLF 5528, but the lower (main) data label has BLF 5504 (Prov. Toliara, Res. Cap Sainte Marie, 12.3 km. 262° W Marovato, 25°34.90'S, 45°10.10'E, 200 m., 11-15.ii.2002). This specimen, and any others from that locality, from series BLF 5504, are excluded from the type-series.

WORKER. TL 2.0-2.5, HL 0.48-0.60, HW 0.40-0.48, CI 79-83, SL 0.37-0.47, SI 90-100, PW 0.28-0.34, WL 0.56-0.72 (14 measured).

Antennal club 3-segmented. Mandible smooth, unsculptured except for scattered small pits; in a few workers minute striolae may occur near the extreme base, but if present these do not extend onto the apical half of the mandible. Scapes relatively short (SI 100 or less); when laid straight back in full-face view the apex of the scape just reaches the posterior margin of the head. With head in full-face view the eyes in front of the midlength of the side of the head capsule. EL 0.09-0.12 (EL/HW 0.22-0.26). Dorsum of head from level of eyes to posterior margin smooth, with scattered minute pits; in some individuals there are also very weak vestiges (often almost entirely effaced) of superficial microreticulation. Promesonotum in profile convex and swollen, the mesonotum posteriorly descending to the distinctly impressed metanotal groove, which is V-shaped to narrowly U-shaped. Propodeal dorsum slopes posteriorly and is strongly depressed, the entire dorsum on a considerably lower level than the highest point of the promesonotum. Dorsa of pronotum and mesonotum usually each with 2 pairs of setae (sometimes with only one pair on one or the other, but this may be due to abrasion); dorsum of propodeum lacks setae. Pronotal dorsum smooth and shining, with widely scattered minute punctulae. Mesonotum as pronotum but some extremely weak vestiges of superficial microreticulation may be present. Propodeal dorsum microreticulate to reticulate-punctulate, the sculpture weak and superficial but usually stronger than on the promesonotum. Mesopleuron and metapleuron weakly reticulate-punctulate, the sculpture extending anteriorly onto the side of the pronotum as microreticulation. Metafemur relatively short, MfL 0.38-0.48 (MfL/HW 0.93-1.04, MfL/MfH 3.67-4.00). Petiole with a pair of setae on the posterior face of the node; postpetiole with 1-2 pairs of setae posteriorly; first gastral tergite with scattered short setae. Postpetiole relatively narrow in dorsal view, maximum width 0.14-0.19 (0.35-0.38 x HW). Dorsum of postpetiole and first gastral tergite unsculptured. Colour varies from mid-brown with a dark gaster, to entirely dark brown.

QUEEN and MALE: unknown.

Within the robertsoni group, as defined above, clarinodis is immediately isolated as it is the only species to combine an unsculptured head capsule with a sharply impressed, V-shaped, metanotal groove.

In Heterick’s (2006) treatment of what was then the shuckardi group of Monomorium , clarinodis was regarded as a single species that from its description was extremely variable. In the present analysis we conclude that his taxon is certainly compound, and actually contains six separate species from two species groups (admixta and depilosa of the admixta group; anxietas , clarinodis , pallida and pulchra of the robertsoni group); the original description of clarinodis includes morphological elements of almost all of them. This confusion is inexplicable as members of the admixta group have a strikingly different mesosomal configuration from the rest of the genus, and within the robertsoni group only clarinodis has a sharply incised metanotal groove.

R. clarinodis is found in spiny forest, shrubland and uapaca woodland, where it nests under stones, but it has also been collected from litter samples, as ground foragers, and from pitfall traps.

Material examined. Madagascar: Prov. Toliara, Res. Cap Sainte Marie, W. Marovato (Fisher et al.); Prov. Toliara, S Marovato (Fisher et al.); Prov. Toliara, P.N. Tsimanampetsotsa, Bemanateza (Fisher et al.); Prov. Toliara, P.N. Tsimanampetsotsa, Bemanateza, SE Behelaka (Fisher et al.); Prov. Fianarantsoa, P.N. Isolo, Amovo Springs, N Ranohira (Fisher et al.); Prov. Fianarantsoa, Ranohira, Ampandravelo III (A. Ravelomanana).