Anochetus madagascarensis

Widespread throughout Madagascar in forest or shrubland habitats below 1100 m elevation. It has been collected in gallery, dry, littoral, lowland, and montane forests, and in desert spiny bush thicket in the southwest of Madagascar.

Identification
The species is most similar to Anochetus grandidieri but can be easily distinguished by its large eyes (0.24–0.26 mm), and scapes that surpass occipital lobes (Fisher and Smith 2008).

Distribution
Comores and Madagascar.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Comoros. Malagasy Region: Madagascar, Mayotte.

Biology
Fisher and Smith (2008) - The longer scapes and larger eyes of A. madagascarensis compared to A. grandidieri, correlate with nesting and foraging above the soil layer. The species was most often recorded nesting in rotten logs (99 collection records) followed by sifted litter (41). In addition, it was collected from dead twigs above ground (1), rot pockets (2), ground foragers (20), ground nests (6), Malaise trap (14), on low vegetation (2), and pitfall traps (4).

Males have been collected in Malaise traps in every month of the year and males have been noted to swarm and fly at dusk and early evening.

Nomenclature

 *  madagascarensis. Anochetus africanus var. madagascarensis Forel, 1887: 382 (w.) MADAGASCAR. Fisher & Smith, 2008: 12 (q.m.). Raised to species and senior synonym of friederichsi: Brown, 1978c: 557.
 * friederichsi. Anochetus africanus var. friederichsi Forel, 1918b: 155 (w.) MADAGASCAR. Junior synonym of madagascarensis: Brown, 1978c: 557.

Worker
Fisher and Smith (2008) - Measurements: maximum and minimum based on n = 20. HL 1.35–1.68, HW 1.19–1.53, CI 87–94, EL 0.23–0.28, ML 0.73–0.93, MI 53–57, SL 1.11–1.41, SI 89–95, WL 1.60–2.02, FL 1.13–1.54, PW 0.63–0.80.

Inner blade of mandible without teeth and denticles; apical end of inner blade with notched semicircular concavity. Eyes large (0.24–0.26 mm), projecting dorsally. In full face view, antennal scape extends beyond posterior margin of occipital lobe. Dorsal surface of head asetose.

Queen
Fisher and Smith (2008) - Measurements: maximum and minimum based on n = 5. HL 1.52–1.66, HW 1.48–1.55, CI 92–97, EL 0.32–0.36, ML 0.81–0.89, MI 53–55, SL 1.26–1.39, SI 85–91, WL 1.99–2.22. FL 1.35–1.49, PW 0.84–0.92.

Very similar to worker and only slightly larger. Queens of only one size. Ergatoid queens not recorded.

Male
Fisher and Smith (2008) - Measurements: maximum and minimum based on n = 5 from Madagascar: HL 0.85–1.89, HW 1.07–1.20, CI 122–135, EL 0.63–0.69, SL 0.20–0.22, SI 18–21, WL 1.90–1.98, FL 1.35–1.47

Males light yellowish brown in color and with large projecting ocelli on vertex.

Type Material
Fisher and Smith (2008) - Lectotype: worker, Madagascar, Tamatave Province, Ivondro, (Dr. Conrad Keller) present designation [examined] AntWeb CASENT0101574. Anochetus africanus friederichsi Lectotype: worker, Madagascar, Tamatave Province, Prune Island (Nosy Alanana) (Friederichs), present designation [examined] AntWeb CASENT010165.

Additional References

 * Fisher, B. L. and M. A. Smith. 2008. A Revision of Malagasy Species of Anochetus Mayr and Odontomachus Latreille (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). PloS one. 3:e1787.