Technomyrmex fisheri

Most of the material examined was obtained by beating low vegetation but some was collected from twigs that were still attached to trees and others were found in a rotten log on the forest floor. Worker-queen intercastes are known. (Bolton 2007)

Identification
Bolton (2007) - A member of the T. pallipes complex in the Technomyrmex albipes group. Among the small, yellow Malagasy species that have setae present on the cephalic dorsum T. fisheri is immediately characterised by its consistent lack of setae on the mesonotum and propodeal declivity. It is much less densely setose than the common Technomyrmex madecassus and even in abraded specimens the two are easily distinguished as madecassus always has very conspicuous setal pits on the mesonotum and propodeal declivity that are absent from fisheri. Also, in madecassus the metathoracic spiracles abut the metanotal groove in dorsal view, whereas they are some distance anterior to the metanotal groove in fisheri. Technomyrmex innocens differs from fisheri as it has 2 - 3 pairs of pronotal setae, a single short pair on the mesonotum and 1 - 2 pairs on the propodeal declivity.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Malagasy Region: Madagascar.

Nomenclature

 *  fisheri. Technomyrmex fisheri Bolton, 2007a: 51, fig. 24 (w. w-q intercaste) MADAGASCAR.

Worker
Holotype. TL 2.3, HL 0.60, HW 0.54, SL 0.60, PW 0.34, WL 0.77. Indices: CI 90, SI 1 II, OI 26, EPI 64 DTI 147.

Frontal carina with 2 setae: in profile the posterior of these located at about the level of the anterior margin of the eye and the longest on the dorsum. Dorsum of head posterior to this with a pair of short setae above the eye and another pair about two-thirds the distance to the posterior margin (cephalic setae are somewhat variable, see comments below). Anterior clypeal margin with a small, shallow median impression. With head in full-face view the sides shallowly convex and the posterior margin with a shallow median concavity. Eyes located well in front of midlength, EPI 64; outer margin of eye almost touches the outline of the side in full-face View. Number of setal pairs on mesosoma: pronotum 0 (1 in some specimens, see below); mesonotum 0; propodeal dorsum 0; lateral margins of propodea\ declivity 0. In dorsal view the metathoracic spiracles are separated from the metanotal groove by at least the diameter of the spiracle; the spiracles do not abut the metanotal groove. Dorsum of propodeum meets the declivity in a blunt angle in profile; length of dorsum less than depth of declivity to spiracle. Gastral tergites 1 - 4 each with setae distributed everywhere on the sclerites; maximum length of setae on first gastral tergite is distinctly less than the maximum diameter of the eye. Head, mesosoma, petiole and gaster dull brownish yellow, dorsum of head and gaster somewhat infuscated; legs yellow throughout.

Other worker. TL 2.3 - 2.6, HL 0.57 - 0.65, HW 0.52 - 0.59, SL 0.55 - 0.62, PW 0.34 – 0.40, WL 0.75 - 0.88 (15 measured). Indices: CI 89 - 93, SI 105 - 111, OI 25 - 26, EPI 60 - 67, DTI 142 - 150.

Setae on head behind clypeus variable in number. In many workers and worker-queen intercastes the short pair above the eye is missing, leaving the dorsum with just three pairs of setae. In several an extra pair of short setae is developed at the posterior margin and in a few the pair above the eye as well as the pair at the posterior margin are present, giving the dorsum 5 pairs in total. The pronotum often lacks setae but a single pair may be present. Where setae have been abraded off small pits, that are darker in colour than the surrounding cuticle, are usually visible. Colour varies from yellow to light brown throughout.

Type Material
Holotype worker: Madagascar: Provo Antsiranana, Nosy Be, Res. Lokobe, 6.3 km. 112° ESE Hellville, 30 m., 13°25'S, 48°20'E, 19-24.iii.2001, CASENT 0435387, BLF 3426(10), beating low vegetation, rainforest (Fisher et at.).

Paratypes. 8 workers and 1 worker-queen intercaste with same data as holotype but CASENT nos. 0435381,0435383,0435386,0435388 (intercaste), 0435389, 0435390, 0435391. 10 workers with same data but BLF 3426(9) and CASENT nos. 0435392, 0435393, 0435394, 0435395 (CASC, ).