Vitsika incisura
| Vitsika incisura | |
|---|---|
| |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Formicidae |
| Subfamily: | Myrmicinae |
| Tribe: | Crematogastrini |
| Genus: | Vitsika |
| Species: | V. incisura |
| Binomial name | |
| Vitsika incisura Bolton & Fisher, 2014
| |
Specimens of V. incisura are all from montane rainforest, and were found in a dead twig above the ground, and by beating low vegetation.
Contents
Identification
This is the only known Vitsika species in which the dorsal margin of the petiole node is concave medially.
Keys including this Species
Distribution
Endemic to Madagascar.
Latitudinal Distribution Pattern
Latitudinal Range: -14.0175° to -14.0175°.
| 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
Males have yet to be collected.
Worker
- The following images are provided by AntWeb
Nomenclature
The following information is derived from Barry Bolton's Online Catalogue of the Ants of the World.
- incisura. Vitsika incisura Bolton & Fisher, 2014: 82, figs. 96-98, Map 154 (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
(holotype in parentheses). TL 3.6–4.2 (4.0), HL 0.84–0.94 (0.93), HW 0.69–0.79 (0.78), CI 82–87 (84), SL 0.62–0.70 (0.68), SI 87–92 (87), PW 0.52–0.63 (0.63), WL 1.02–1.22 (1.20) (11 measured).
Eye with 8–9 rows of ommatidia, and with 9–11 ommatidia in the longest row; EL 0.18–0.22 (EL/HW 0.25–0.28). MfL 0.79–0.90 (MfL/HW 1.11–1.18). Oblique costulae on mesopleuron conspicuous. In profile, the dorsal outline of the propodeum is convex and slopes to the base of the spine. Diameter of annulus of propodeal spiracle is about equal to the thickness of the short propodeal spine at its midlength. With petiole node in posterior view its dorsal margin is impressed to deeply indented medially; at its maximum extent the indentation is so marked that the remainder of the margin forms a blunt projection on each side of the indentation. Height of petiole node in posterior view (from midpoint of the dorsal margin of the foramen to a line that spans the highest points of the node) 0.66–0.80 × its maximum width. In dorsal view postpetiole 1.30–1.50 × broader than long; maximum width of postpetiole 0.94–1.05 × the length of a propodeal spine; maximum width of postpetiole 0.85–1.00 × the distance between the apices of the propodeal spines. Disc of postpetiole entirely smooth. Full adult colour dark brown to blackish brown.
Queen
(gyne). Only an ergatoid specimen known (CASENT0178899). HL 0.90, HW 0.74, CI 82, SL 0.66, SI 89, PW 0.60, WL 1.14, MfL 0.84. The ergatoid has three ocelli, but the mesosoma is almost worker-like. The mesonotum is slightly enlarged compared to the worker, and the track of the promesonotal suture is visible. As in the worker the dorsal margin of the petiole node is broadly excavated medially.
Type Material
Holotype worker, Madagascar: Prov. Antsiranana, R.S. Manongarivo, 17.3 km. 218° SW Antanambao, 1580 m., 14°01.3’S, 48°25.1’E, 27.x.1998, beating low vegetation, montane rainforest, BLF 1972(18)-4 (no CASENT number) (B.L. Fisher) (California Academy of Sciences). Paratypes. 4 workers with same data as holotype, but 2 workers BLF 1972(24)-5 (no CASENT number), 1 worker BLF 1972(20) CASENT0004212, 1 worker BLF 1972(21) CASENT0127743 (CASC).
References
- Bolton, B. & Fisher, B.L. 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 3791:1–99. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.3791.1.1
References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics
- Bolton B., and B. L. Fisher. 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): 1-99.
