Tanipone species groups

Based on 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. [[Media:Bolton & Fisher 2012.pdf|PDF]]

Key to Tanipone Species

hirsuta species group

 * Tanipone hirsuta
 * Tanipone pilosa
 * Tanipone subpilosa

Worker Characters

1 Each glandular patch on the tergite of AIII consists of a mass of large, coarse, closely-packed, deep punctures. The individual punctures are separated only by narrow, flattened rims between them and the surfaces of the rims are densely microsculptured and dull. The glandular patches are not depressed into the surface of the sclerite and each puncture gives rise to a short, curved seta that is subappressed and directed posteriorly.

2 Cephalic pilosity relatively dense. In full-face view side of head in front of eye with several (more than one) projecting setae of varying length; side of head below outline of eye with 2–3 setae that project laterally; side of head behind level of eye with several projecting setae of varying length. In profile the entire dorsum of the head and body with numerous standing setae of varying lengths, far more than the strictly limited number described below for the maculata group and too many to count easily.

3 With mesofemur in dorsal view standing setae occur on both the anterior and posterior surfaces; setae are always present and are not restricted to the apex of the femur. Metafemur in the same view is similarly hirsute.

maculata species group

 * Tanipone aversa
 * Tanipone cognata
 * Tanipone maculata
 * Tanipone scelesta
 * Tanipone varia
 * Tanipone zona

This group falls neatly into two complexes of related species. The varia complex (aversa, scelesta, varia) is characterised by the presence of a short preapical seta on the anterior surface of the mesotobia (best seen in dorsal view), the presence of at least one pair of setae on the propodeum, and the anterior setae on the tergite of AIII are at or very close to the anterior margins of the glandular patches. The maculata complex (cognata, maculata, zona) lacks setae in both these places, and the anterior setae on the tergite of AIII are considerably in front of the anterior margins of the glandular patches.

Worker Characters

1 Each glandular patch on the tergite of AIII consists of a slightly depressed area that, with light microscopy, appears extremely finely shagreenate to microreticulate, or even almost smooth; without coarse, deep, densely-packed punctures. With scanning electron microscope resolution the area of the patch, at least in zona, is seen to contain abundant, very closely packed, papillae (Figs 84–85).

2 Cephalic pilosity relatively sparse and arranged in a fixed pattern. In full-face view side of head in front of eye without projecting setae or at most with a single projecting seta close to the posterior clypeal margin; side of head below outline of eye with a single seta that projects laterally; side of head behind level of eye with a single projecting seta; 2–4 setae along posterior margin of head. 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 one specimen an additional short seta is present close to the ocelli. Any pubescence that is present is appressed, minute, inconspicuous and very sparse.

3 With mesofemur in dorsal view standing setae are either entirely absent, or are restricted to a single short, stout seta on the anterior surface close to the apex. Metafemur in the same view either lacks setae or has a single short seta close to the apex on its anterior surface. Minute appressed or slightly elevated pubescence is present on both femora.

aglandula species group

 * Tanipone aglandula

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.

Worker Characters

1 Tergite of AIII without discernible glandular patches (histological work is necessary to ascertain if the glands remain below the sclerite or are truly lost; see worker comment 22, under diagnosis of genus, above).

2 Cephalic pilosity is as described for the maculata group above, except that commonly two setae project laterally from below the eye and the sides of the head may have additional short setae present.

3 With mesofemur in dorsal view a single standing seta is present close to the apex on the anterior surface, and another is present on the posterior surface directly opposite to it. Metafemur in the same view has a single seta on the anterior surface only. Appressed short pubescence is present on both femora.