.jpg){kind=logo}
Tetraponera hirsuta
| Tetraponera hirsuta | |
|---|---|
| |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Formicidae |
| Subfamily: | Pseudomyrmecinae |
| Genus: | Tetraponera |
| Species group: | grandidieri |
| Species: | T. hirsuta |
| Binomial name | |
| Tetraponera hirsuta Ward, 2009
| |
Occurs sympatrically with T. grandidieri, T. hespera and Tetraponera merita. The only nest series is incomplete: one worker and one dealate queen from a rotting tree stump (BLF2008). Habits are assumed to be similar those of other species in the T. grandidieri group, but almost nothing is known about the biology of T. hirsuta. (Ward 2009)
Identification
Ward (2009) - A member of the Tetraponera grandidieri group. T. hirsuta can be distinguished from related species by the more conspicuous pilosity on the scapes and the tricolored body. The differences are slight but consistent, and they are maintained in sympatry with the otherwise similar species Tetraponera grandidieri and Tetraponera hespera.
Keys including this Species
- Key to Afrotropical Tetraponera
- Key to Afrotropical Tetraponera species
- Key to Tetraponera grandidieri species group
Distribution
This species appears to be endemic to the Manongarivo Massif. (Ward 2009)
Latitudinal Distribution Pattern
Latitudinal Range: -13.95194444° to -13.95194444°.
| 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
Nomenclature
The following information is derived from Barry Bolton's Online Catalogue of the Ants of the World.
- hirsuta. Tetraponera hirsuta Ward, 2009: 296, figs. 13, 14, 25 (w.q.) MADAGASCAR.
Unless otherwise noted the text for the remainder of this section is reported from the publication that includes the original description.
Description
Worker
n = 2. HW 1.19-1.34, HL 1.35-1.51, LHT 1.32-1.45, CI 0.88-0.89, FCl 0.15, REL 0.34, REL2 0.39, SI 0.73-0.76, FI 0.33-0.34, PLI 0.57, PWI 0.51-0.53.
Similar to T. grandidieri (q.v.). Basal margin of mandible lacking tooth; anterior clypeal margin broadly convex and crenulate, directed forward; metanotal spiracle visible in lateral view of mesosoma; dorsal face of propodeum broadly convex in posterior view; scape with conspicuous suberect and subdecumbent hairs; standing pilosity and appressed pubescence generally sparse elsewhere, although tending to be better developed than in other species in the grandidieri group; integument mostly sublucid, with fine coriarious/puncticulate sculpture; body tricolored: metasoma, appendages, and ventral margin of mesosoma orange, most of mesosoma reddish-brown, and head dark brownish black.
Type Material
Holotype worker. MADAGASCAR Antsiranana: R. S. Manongarivo, 10.8 km 229° SW Antanambao, 400 m, 13°57.7'S 48°26.0'E, 8.xi.1998, ex sifted litter, rainforest, B. L. Fisher#1996 (CASENT0170370) (California Academy of Sciences).
Paratypes. 1 worker, 1 dealate queen, same locality and date as holotype, ex rotting tree stump, rainforest (B. L. Fisher#2008; CASENT0170371); 1 worker, MADAGASCAR Antsiranana: R.S. Manongarivo, 12.8 km 228° SW Antanambao, 780 m, 11.xi.1998, ex sifted litter, rainforest (B. L. Fisher#1862; CASENT0170368) (CASC); 2 workers, MADAGASCAR Antsiranana: R.S. Manongarivo, 12.8 km 228° SW Antanambao, 780 m, 12.xi.1998, beating low vegetation, rainforest (B. L. Fisher#1888; CASENT0170369) (CASC).
References
- Ward, P.S. 2009. The ant genus Tetraponera in the Afrotropical region: the T. grandidieri group. Journal of Hymenoptera Research. 18:285-304.
- Ward, P. S. 2022. The ant genus Tetraponera (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the Afrotropical region: taxonomic review and key to species. Zootaxa 5102 (1):1-70 (doi:10.11646/zootaxa.5102.1.1).
References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics
- Ward P. S. 2009. The Ant Genus Tetraponera in the Afrotropical region: the T. grandidieri group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Journal of Hymenoptera Research: Festschrift Honoring Roy Snelling, 18: 385-304