Nesomyrmex sellaris Csosz & Fisher

Csosz, Sandor & Fisher, Brian L., 2016, Taxonomy of Malagasy Nesomyrmex brevicornis species-group using conventional morphology-based approach, ZooKeys 616, pp. 125-159 : 156-157

Nesomyrmex sellaris Csosz & Fisher sp. n. Figs 42-44 , 45 , Table 1

Type material investigated.

Holotype: CASENT0428261, collection code: BLF02859, Réserve Spéciale de l’Ankarana, 22.9 km 224° SW Anivorano Nord, -12.90889°, 49.10983°, alt 80 m, Fisher, Griswold et al., 02.10.2001, (1w, CASC, CASENT0428261);

Paratypes: four workers from the same locality under CASENT codes: CASENT0422623, collection code: BLF02859, (1w, CASC); CASENT0422624, collection code: BLF02859, (1w, CASC); CASENT0428262, collection code: BLF02859, (1w, CASC); CASENT0422621, collection code: BLF2859, (1w, CASC);

Material examined.

MADAGASCAR: CASENT0004813, collection code: ANTC1302, P.N. Masoala, 40 km 154° SSE Maroantsetra, -15.72667°, 49.95667°, alt 150 m, A. Dejean et al., 10.14.2001, (2w, CASC); CASENT0053591, collection code: MA-02-09B-53, radio tower, Ranomafana National Park, Fianarantsoa Prov., -21.25083°, 47.40717°, alt 1130 m, M. Irwin, R. Harin’Hala, 02.18.2003, (1w, CASC); CASENT0068333, collection code: BLF12740, Res. Ambodiriana, 4.8 km 306°Manompana, along Manompana river, -16.67233°, 49.70117°, alt 125 m, B.L.Fisher et al., 11.18.2005, (1w, CASC); CASENT0070953, collection code: BLF13926, Réserve Forestière d’Agnalazaha, Mahabo, 42.9 km 215° Farafangana, -23.19383°, 47.723°, alt 20 m, B.L. Fisher et al., 04.19.2006, (1w, CASC); CASENT0071722, collection code: BLF14065, Réserve Speciale Manombo 24.5 km 228° Farafangana, -23.01583°, 47.719°, alt 30 m, B.L. Fisher et al., 04.22.2006, (1w, CASC); CASENT0189193, collection code: BLF01998, R.S. Manongarivo, 10.8 km 229° SW Antanambao, -13.96167°, 48.43333°, alt 400 m, B.L.Fisher, 11.08.1998, (1w, CASC); CASENT0262171, collection code: MG-58-30, SAVA Region,Distric of Vohemar, Antsahabelela Rain Forest,9 km SW of Daraina, -13.2505°, 49.61667°, alt 182 m, Mike, Rin’ha, 04.27.2011, (1w, CASC); CASENT0422618, collection code: BLF02660, Réserve Spéciale de l’Ankarana, 22.9 km 224° SW Anivorano Nord, -12.90889°, 49.10983°, alt 80 m, Fisher, Griswold et al., 02.10.2001, (1w, CASC); CASENT0422620, collection code: BLF02660, Réserve Spéciale d’Ambre, 3.5 km 235° SW Sakaramy, -12.46889°, 49.24217°, alt 325 m, Fisher, Griswold et al., 01.26.2001, (1w, CASC); CASENT0494407, collection code: BLF09906, Forêt de Bekaraoka, 6.8 km 60° ENE Daraina, -13.16667°, 49.71°, alt 150 m, B.L.Fisher, 12.07.2003, (1w, CASC, CASENT0494407);

Etymology.

The name ( sellaris ) refers to the deep mesopropodeal depression in workers resembling a saddle (=sella Lat.).

Diagnosis in key.

Description of workers. Body color: yellow. Body color pattern: concolorous. Absolute cephalic size: 449 [410, 557]. Cephalic length vs. maximum width of head capsule (CL/CWb): 1.18 [1.13, 1.25]. Postocular distance vs. cephalic length (PoOc/CL): 0.51 [0.49, 0.53]. Postocular sides of cranium contour frontal view orientation: converging posteriorly. Postocular sides of cranium contour frontal view shape: broadly convex. Vertex contour line in frontal view shape: straight. Vertex sculpture: main sculpture absent, ground sculpture imbricate, shiny. Setal pits on head dorsum: surrounded by conspicuous foveae with well demarcated margins. Diameter of foveae on head dorsum: 10-15 µm. Gena contour line in frontal view shape: straight. Genae contour from anterior view orientation: converging. Gena sculpture: rugoso-reticulate with areolate ground sculpture. Concentric carinae laterally surrounding antennal foramen: present. Eye length vs. absolute cephalic size (EL/CS): 0.24 [0.23, 0.26]. Frontal carina distance vs. absolute cephalic size (FRS/CS): 0.29 [0.27, 0.30]. Longitudinal carinae on median region of frons: absent. Smooth median region on frons: present. Antennomere count: 12. Scape length vs. absolute cephalic size (SL/CS): 0.69 [0.65, 0.72]. Median clypeal notch: present. Ground sculpture of submedian area of clypeus: present. Median carina of clypeus: absent. Metanotal depression: present. Dorsal region of mesosoma sculpture: imbricate, main sculpture absent. Lateral region of pronotum sculpture: imbricate, main sculpture absent; inconspicious areolate ground sculpture, main sculpture dispersed costate. Mesopleuron sculpture: ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture absent. Metapleuron sculpture: ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture absent. Petiole width vs. absolute cephalic size (PEW/CS): 0.21 [0.20, 0.23]. Dorsal region of petiole sculpture: ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture absent. Postpetiole width vs. absolute cephalic size (PPW/CS): 0.29 [0.26, 0.31]. Dorsal region of postpetiole sculpture: ground sculpture smooth, main sculpture absent. Surface of the first gastral tergite: incontinuously imbricate; continuously imbricate.

Distribution.

This species is widely distributed in East Madagascar ( Fig. 45 ). The known samples were collected in diverse habitats from tropical dry forests to rainforests, typically at lower elevation from 20-1130 m.

Figures

Figure 45. Geographic distribution of Nesomyrmex sellaris sp. n .. The known localities of Nesomyrmex sellaris sp. n. in Madagascar.

Figures 42 - 44. Nesomyrmex sellaris sp. n. holotype worker (CASENT 0428261). Head in full-face view (42), dorsal view of the body (43), lateral view of the body (44).