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Simopone fera
| Simopone fera | |
|---|---|
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Formicidae |
| Subfamily: | Dorylinae |
| Genus: | Simopone |
| Species group: | emeryi |
| Species: | S. fera |
| Binomial name | |
| Simopone fera Bolton & Fisher, 2012
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Specimens have been collected from a dead twig above the ground in tropical dry forest.
Identification
A member of the emeryi species group. See Simopone emeryi for information about similar species.
Keys including this Species
Distribution
Latitudinal Distribution Pattern
Latitudinal Range: -13.25083333° to -13.25083333°.
| North Temperate |
North Subtropical |
Tropical | South Subtropical |
South Temperate |
- Source: AntMaps
Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Malagasy Region: Madagascar (type locality).
Distribution based on AntMaps
Distribution based on AntWeb specimens
Check data from AntWeb
Countries Occupied
| Number of countries occupied by this species based on AntWiki Regional Taxon Lists. In general, fewer countries occupied indicates a narrower range, while more countries indicates a more widespread species. |
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Estimated Abundance
| Relative abundance based on number of AntMaps records per species (this species within the purple bar). Fewer records (to the left) indicates a less abundant/encountered species while more records (to the right) indicates more abundant/encountered species. |
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Biology
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Castes
Worker
Images from AntWeb
   
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| Paratype of Simopone fera. Worker. Specimen code casent0496984. Photographer Erin Prado, uploaded by California Academy of Sciences. | Owned by CAS, San Francisco, CA, USA. |
Nomenclature
The following information is derived from Barry Bolton's Online Catalogue of the Ants of the World.
- fera. Simopone fera Bolton & Fisher, 2012: 52, figs. 49-51 (w.) MADAGASCAR.
- Type-material: holotype worker, 6 paratype workers.
- Type-locality: holotype Madagascar: Prov. Antsiranana, Forêt Binara, 7.5 km. 230° SW Daraina, 375 m., 13°15.3’S, 49°37.0’E, 1-4.xii.2003, BLF9639, CASENT0496983, tropical dry forest, ex dead twig (B.L. Fisher); paratypes: 3 workers with same data, 3 workers with same data but CASENT0496985.
- Type-depository: CASC.
- Distribution: Madagascar.
Unless otherwise noted the text for the remainder of this section is reported from the publication that includes the original description.
Description
Worker
(holotype in parentheses). HL 1.38–1.72 (1.72), HW 0.81–1.10 (1.10), SL 0.36–0.48 (0.48), EL 0.36–0.44 (0.44), PW 0.64–0.86 (0.86), AIIW 0.62–0.84 (0.84), AIIL 0.68–0.86 (0.86), AIIIW 0.76–1.02 (1.02), AIIIL 0.86–1.00 (1.00), WL 1.34–1.70 (1.70), MFL 0.66–0.86 (0.86), CI 59–66 (64), SI 40–44 (44), EL/HW 0.40–0.44 (0.40), EP 0.87–1.00 (0.93), AIIW/AIIL 0.91–0.99 (0.98), AIIIW/AIIIL 0.97–1.05 (1.02) (7 measured).
In full-face view anteriormost points of frontal lobes project far forward as a pair of lobes that extend considerably beyond the level of the anterior clypeal margin. Anterior clypeal margin between these lobes transverse or nearly so, without a convex median tumulus. Eyes located at or just in front of cephalic midlength (EP 0.87–1.00). Leading edge of scape without projecting setae. In full-face view sides of head from just behind clypeus to posterior corners without projecting setae. In profile cephalic dorsum without standing setae; setae present on ventral surface of head. Cephalic dorsum between eyes punctate, spaces between punctures with very weak, superficial punctulate-striolate ground sculpture. Behind the level of the eyes the ground sculpture fades out posteriorly. In dorsal view the pronotum with a transverse carina anteriorly. Propodeal dorsum meets declivity through a narrowly rounded angle, without a sharp carina. Promesonotal suture distinct, evenly shallowly convex medially; metanotal groove almost effaced but median pit present. Mesosoma in dorsal view with mesonotum fractionally narrower than propodeum. Density of punctate sculpture on pronotal dorsum about the same as on mesonotal dorsum. Entire dorsum of mesosoma without setae, even the humeral setae absent. Dorsal (outer) surfaces of mesotibiae and metatibiae without projecting setae, or at most with one, very close to the apex. Dorsal surface of AII (petiole) meets anterior surface in a narrowly rounded angle, without a transverse carina. Posteriorly the dorsum of AII rounds into the posterior surface, at most with an inconspicuous low ridge above the foramen. In dorsal view the posterior corners of AII are narrowly rounded and project very slightly posteriorly. In dorsal view AII slightly longer than broad; AIII usually very slightly broader than long but in smallest specimens very slightly longer than broad. Dorsal surfaces of abdominal tergites AII to AIV without setae; sternites of AIII and AIV with a few setae at their posterior margins. Abdominal tergites AII to AIV sculptured only with small punctures. Sternite of AIII with pubescence so sparse as to be almost absent, the surface of the sclerite glossy. Full adult colour black; appendages and clypeus slightly lighter.
Type Material
Holotype worker, Madagascar: Prov. Antsiranana, Forêt Binara, 7.5 km 230° SW Daraina, 375 m, 13°15.3’S, 49°37.0’E, 1-4.xii.2003, BLF9639, CASENT0496983, tropic. dry forest, ex dead twig (B.L. Fisher) (California Academy of Sciences). Paratypes. 3 workers with same data as holotype but CASENT0496984; 3 workers with same data but CASENT0496985 (CASC).