.jpg){kind=logo}
Tanipone aversa
| Tanipone aversa | |
|---|---|
| |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Formicidae |
| Subfamily: | Dorylinae |
| Genus: | Tanipone |
| Species: | V. aversa |
| Binomial name | |
| Tanipone aversa Bolton & Fisher, 2012
| |
The type samples, the only known specimens, were collected from a burned savannah.
Identification
A member of the maculata species group. T. aversa appears to be closest related to Tanipone varia. These two, together with Tanipone scelesta, are linked by the characters given in the maculata species group diagnosis and the diagnosis of the varia complex mentioned there. T. scelesta is much more densely setose than the others and is very easily distinguished by the characters noted in the key. Head and body colour is variable in varia, but an orange AIII, such as is present in aversa, is not known. The posterior margin of AIII tergite in varia always has a pair of pale spots or patches, rather than the continuous band present in aversa. AII in dorsal view is always longer and narrower in aversa (AIIW/AIIL 1.09–1.11) than in varia, where it is universally shorter and broader (AIIW/AIIL 1.15–1.30). Finally, AIIW of aversa is always less than PW, whereas in varia, with very few exceptions, AIIW is greater than PW. As mentioned above, all three known specimens of this species were found in burned savannah.
Keys including this Species
Distribution
Latitudinal Distribution Pattern
Latitudinal Range: -21.31333333° to -21.31333333°.
| 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. |
|
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. |
|
Biology
|
Castes
Images from AntWeb
| |
| Holotype of Tanipone aversa. Worker. Specimen code casent0207894. Photographer Shannon Hartman, 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.
- aversa. Tanipone aversa Bolton & Fisher, 2012: 84, figs. 89-91 (w.) MADAGASCAR.
- Type-material: holotype worker, 2 paratype workers.
- Type-locality: holotype Madagascar: Prov. Toliara, Makay Mts, 21°18’48’’S, 45°08’43’’E, 575 m., 6.xii.2010, BLF25675, CASENT0207894, burned savannah (B.L. Fisher); paratypes with same data but BLF25702, CASENT0207893; BLF25704, CASENT0207895.
- 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 0.87–0.90 (0.88), HW 0.70–0.72 (0.72), SL 0.42–0.46 (0.44), EL 0.26–0.29 (0.29), PW 0.56–0.57 (0.56), AIIW 0.50–0.51 (0.51), AIIL 0.46–0.47 (0.47), AIIIW 0.69–0.72 (0.69), AIIIL 0.50–0.56 (0.50), WL 1.08–1.09 (1.09), MFL 0.66–0.74 (0.70), CI 78–82 (82), SI 60–66 (61), EL/HW 0.37–0.40 (0.40), AIIW/AIIL 1.09–1.11 (1.09), AIIIW/AIIIL 1.23–1.38 (1.38) (3 measured).
Cephalic pilosity and structure of AIII glandular patches as described in definition of maculata group, above. With head in full-face view the side in front of the eye without a laterally projecting seta behind the level of the posterior clypeal margin. Posterior margin of head with 4–6 setae. Dorsum of pronotum with a single pair of setae, at the humeri; mesonotum with a single pair of short setae; propodeum with a single pair of setae at the posterodorsal margin. Mesofemur in dorsal view with a single projecting seta on the anterior surface, close to the apex; metafemur without a seta in this position. Ventral surfaces of mesofemur and metafemur each with a single projecting seta present just distal of the trochanter. Dorsal surface of AII (petiole) with an anterior and a posterior pair of setae, the latter at the posterior margin. Tergite of AIII with a pair of setae anteriorly, each of which is situated at, or very close to, the anterior margin of the glandular patch; AIII without setae on the posterior margin. Tergite of AIV with 4 setae anteriorly. Sternites of AIII and AIV with setae present. Cephalic dorsum with small punctures, the spaces between punctures smooth or with vestigial traces of ground sculpture, especially in the area behind the antennal fossae. Katepisternum partially superficially sculptured to smooth, without longitudinal striolae. Dorsum of mesosoma with scattered small punctures, the diameters of which are usually less than the distances between them and the surfaces of which are mostly smooth and polished, especially on the mesonotum. AII (petiole) in dorsal view appears slightly broader than long; in profile its tergite appears about as long as high. Tergite of AIII sparsely punctate between the glandular patches and the surface between punctures is mostly smooth. The pale band at the apex of AIII tergite is obvious and is slightly narrowed or faded medially. Tergite of AIV punctate, spaces between the punctures unsculptured. Full adult colour with head, mesosoma, AII and AIII orange (except for the pale band on AIII); AIV to apex of abdomen black.
Type Material
Holotype worker, Madagascar: Prov. Toliara, Makay Mts, 575 m, 21°18’48’’S, 45°08’43’’E, 6.xii.2010, burned savannah, BLF25675, CASENT0207894 (B.L. Fisher) (California Academy of Sciences). Paratypes. 2 workers with same data as holotype but coded BLF25702, CASENT0207893; BLF25704, CASENT0207895 (CASC).
References
- Bolton, B. & Fisher, B.L. 2012. Taxonomy of the cerapachyine ant genera Simopone Forel, Vicinopone gen. n. and Tanipone gen. n. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 3283, 1–101 (doi:10.11646/zootaxa.3283.1.1).
References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics
- Bolton B., and B. L. Fisher. 2012. Taxonomy of the cerapachyine ant genera Simopone Forel, Vicinopone gen. n. and Tanipone gen. n. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 3283: 1-101.