Myrmisaraka brevis Bolton & Fisher

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 : 35-37

Myrmisaraka brevis Bolton & Fisher sp. n.

(Figs 30-32, Map 132)

WORKER (holotype in parentheses). TL 4.6-5.1 (5.0), HL 1.00-1.10 (1.02), HW 0.79-0.92 (0.83), CI 79-85 (81), SL 0.80-0.96 (0.88), SI 99-111 (106), PW 0.58-0.68 (0.62), WL 1.30-1.42 (1.34), MfL 1.02-1.18 (1.10) (20 measured).

Very similar to, and mostly matching the description of, producta (below), but with an obviously 3-segmented antennal club, in which funiculus segment 8 is only 1.00-1.25 times longer than broad, and funiculus segment 9 is relatively elongated, 1.70-2.00 x longer than funiculus segment 8. The antennal scape is relatively shorter in brevis , SI 99-111, than in producta , SI 115-129. In addition, the head capsule of producta averages relatively slightly narrower, CI 75-80, as opposed to CI 79-85 in brevis .

QUEEN (gyne) and MALE: unknown.

Holotype worker (top specimen of three on pin), Madagascar: Prov. Antsiranana, P.N. Marojejy, 27.6 km. 35° NE Andapa, 775 m., 14°26.1'S, 49°45.6'E, 15-18.xi.2003, ex dead twig above ground, rainforest, BLF 9049, CASENT0494587 (Fisher et al.) (CASC).

Paratypes. 2 workers on same pin as holotype; 3 workers with same data as holotype but CASENT0494588; 3 workers with same data as holotype but CASENT0494589 (CASC).

This species appears to nest in dead twigs on the surface of the ground in rainforest. It has also been retrieved from leaf litter samples and has been discovered foraging on low vegetation.

Non-paratypic material examined. Madagascar: four series with exactly the same locality data as type-series, but collections BLF 8872, 9031, 9044, 9047.