Tanipone aglandula

Specimens were retrieved from tropical dry forest or gallery forest, sometimes as ground foragers but more usually on low vegetation, or in live or dead twigs and branches above the ground, or in rot pockets above the ground.

Identification
The sole member of the aglandula group, this species is immediately recognisable by the characters of the group diagnosis: The single species in this group, aglandula, exhibits a density of pilosity that on the head and abdomen is intermediate between the severely restricted setal pattern characteristic of the maculata group and the much denser, more disorganised pilosity of the hirsuta group. The metatibial gland orifice in aglandula is the most extensively developed of the genus, and it is the only known species of Tanipone that has no visible glandular patches on AIII. (Bolton and Fisher 2012)

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Malagasy Region: Madagascar.

Nomenclature

 * . Tanipone aglandula Bolton & Fisher, 2012: 81, figs. 86-88 (w.) MADAGASCAR.
 * Type-material: holotype worker, 3 paratype workers.
 * Type-locality: holotype Madagascar: Prov. Mahajanga, Mahavavy River, 6.2 km. 145° SE Mitsinjo, 16°03.1’S, 45°54.5’E, 20 m., 1-5.xii.2002, BLF6939, CASENT0492491, ex live stem, gallery forest (B.L. Fisher); paratypes with same data but BLF7017, CASENT0481792, on low vegetation, gallery forest.
 * Type-depository: CASC.
 * Distribution: Madagascar.

Worker
(holotype in parentheses). HL 0.92–1.13 (1.04), HW 0.74–0.95 (0.86), SL 0.40–0.50 (0.45), EL 0.30–0.38 (0.34), PW 0.57–0.73 (0.66), AIIW 0.50–0.69 (0.60), AIIL 0.48–0.68 (0.60), AIIIW 0.60–0.81 (0.72), AIIIL 0.56–0.72 (0.66), WL 1.08–1.38 (1.26), MFL 0.64–0.80 (0.73), CI 80–87 (83), SI 49–55 (52), EL/HW 0.40–0.44 (0.40), AIIW/AIIL 0.96–1.11 (1.00), AIIIW/AIIIL 1.07–1.16 (1.09) (10 measured).

In full-face view side of head in front of eye with a projecting seta close to the posterior clypeal margin; side of head below outline of eye with 1–2 (very rarely 3) setae that project laterally; side of head behind level of eye with 1–2 projecting setae; 2–4 setae along posterior margin. In profile, a single pair of erect setae immediately behind the frontal carinae and a single erect seta above the dorsal margin of each eye. In a few specimens one or two additional shorter setae are present between eye and ocelli. Dorsum of pronotum with a single pair of setae, at the humeri; mesonotum usually with a single pair of setae but in some workers these are very short, and in others they are absent; propodeum with a single pair of setae at the posterodorsal margin. Anterior surface of mesofemur in dorsal view with a single projecting seta, close to the apex; very rarely a second seta may be present on the anterior surface, close to the midlength. Posterior surface of mesofemur in dorsal view also with a single projecting seta, close to the apex and directly opposite the seta on the anterior surface. Metafemur with a single seta on its anterior surface close to the apex, but without a corresponding seta on the posterior surface. Ventral surfaces of both mesofemur and metafemur always with one, but usually with 2, projecting setae present distal of the trochanter. Dorsal surface of AII (petiole) with an anterior pair of setae, the posterior margin with 4–6 setae, and rarely the dorsum with an additional pair of setae between the anterior pair and those at the posterior margin. Tergite of AIII without visible glandular patches but with a pair of conspicuous off-white to yellowish pale spots posteriorly; AIII tergite with a transverse row of 4–6 setae anteriorly, and 6–8 posteriorly. Tergite of AIV with a transverse row of 6–8 setae anteriorly and a row of 4–8 posteriorly. Sternites of AIII and AIV with setae present. Cephalic dorsum with relatively large, shallow punctures, the spaces between punctures smooth or with vestigial traces of ground sculpture, especially in the area behind the antennal fossae. Dorsum of mesosoma with scattered punctures that are generally smaller then those on the head, their diameters are usually less than the distances between them and the surface is mostly smooth and polished, especially on the mesonotum. Katepisternum mostly smooth, with a few widely scattered punctures. AII (petiole) in dorsal view about as long as to slightly longer than broad; in profile its tergite longer than high. Tergites of AIII and AIV punctate, the surface between punctures mostly smooth and polished. Full adult colour blackish brown to black everywhere, except for the pale spots on AIII.

Type Material
Holotype worker, Madagascar: Prov. Mahajanga, Mahavavy River, 6.2 km 145° SE Mitsinjo, 1-5.xii.2002, 20 m, 16°03.1’S, 45°54.5’E, ex live stem, gallery forest, BLF6939, CASENT0492491 (B.L. Fisher). Paratypes. 3 workers with same data as holotype but on low vegetation, gallery forest, BLF7017, CASENT0481792 (CASC).

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Blaimer B. B., S. G. Brady, T. R. Schultz, and B. L. Fisher. 2015. Fucntional and phylogenetic approaches reveal the evolution of diversity in a hyper diverse biota. Ecography 38: 001-012.
 * 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.