Tanipone varia

Samples of Tanipone varia originate in spiny forest and tropical dry forest, as well as in desert scrub forest and Uapaca woodland. All specimens collected have been terrestrial, found under stones and in leaf litter, and also occur in rotten logs, as ground foragers, and in pitfall traps. The vast majority of specimens come from leaf litter samples in tropical dry forest.

Identification
A member of the maculata species group.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Malagasy Region: Madagascar.

Nomenclature

 *  varia. Tanipone varia Bolton & Fisher, 2012: 97, figs. 110-112 (w.) MADAGASCAR.

Apart from the variable colours of this species, most specimens are morphologically very uniform. The most extreme variation from the norm is seen in a series of 4 workers from Forêt Analalava, noted below. These are uniformly blackish brown (apart from the pale patches on AIII) and have punctures that are slightly more coarse than is usual. In addition, these few specimens have PW slightly greater than AIIW, so that AIIW/PW is 0.92–0.94. In all other samples of varia PW is equal to or slightly less than AIIW, so that AIIW/PW is 1.00–1.09. It is possible that these few specimens may represent a separate sibling, but at present we are not fully convinced of this. Therefore they are included here under varia until more material for comparison has accumulated.

Worker
(holotype in parentheses). HL 0.82–0.92 (0.88), HW 0.64–0.74 (0.70), SL 0.40–0.46 (0.43), EL 0.26–0.30 (0.28), PW 0.47–0.57 (0.54), AIIW 0.49–0.62 (0.56), AIIL 0.41–0.50 (0.44), AIIIW 0.64–0.78 (0.71), AIIIL 0.46–0.58 (0.53), WL 0.96–1.15 (1.12), MFL 0.63–0.71 (0.66), CI 78–83 (80), SI 59–65 (61), EL/HW 0.38–0.42 (0.40), AIIW/AIIL 1.15–1.30 (1.27), AIIIW/AIIIL 1.30–1.41 (1.34) (13 measured).

Cephalic pilosity and structure of AIII glandular patches as described in definition of maculata group, above. With head in full-face view the side in front of the eye without a laterally projecting seta behind the level of the posterior clypeal margin. Posterior margin of head with 4–6 setae. Dorsum of pronotum with a single pair of setae, at the humeri; mesonotum with a single pair of short setae; propodeum with a single pair of setae at the posterodorsal margin. Mesofemur in dorsal view with a single projecting seta on the anterior surface, close to the apex; metafemur without a seta in this position. Ventral surfaces of mesofemur and metafemur each with a single projecting seta present just distal of the trochanter. Dorsal surface of AII (petiole) with an anterior pair of setae and usually also with a second pair of setae at the posterior margin, though sometimes these are absent. Tergite of AIII with a pair of setae anteriorly, each of which is situated at, or very close to, the anterior margin of the glandular patch; AIII usually without setae on the posterior margin but rarely a pair present. Tergite of AIV with 4–6 setae anteriorly. Sternites of AIII and AIV with setae present. Cephalic dorsum with small punctures, the spaces between punctures smooth or with vestigial traces of ground sculpture, especially in the area behind the antennal fossae. Katepisternum partially superficially sculptured to smooth, without longitudinal striolae. Dorsum of mesosoma with scattered small punctures, their diameters are usually less than the distances between them and the surface is mostly smooth and polished, especially on the mesonotum. AII (petiole) in dorsal view broader than long; in profile its tergite about as long as high or slightly longer than high. In dorsal view the sides of AII usually flare outwards slightly at the posterior corners. The posterior margin of AII is usually sharply defined and indented medially. Tergite of AIII with sparse minute punctures between the glandular patches and the surface between punctures is mostly smooth and polished. Apex of AIII tergite with a pair of pale spots that are separated by darker cuticle that extends to the posterior margin. Tergite of AIV with scattered small punctures, spaces between the punctures unsculptured or at most with vestigial traces of superficial microsculpture. Full adult colour variable. Head and mesosoma varying from orange brown, through brown and dark brown, to blackish brown; sometimes the pronotum slightly lighter in shade than the remainder of the mesosoma. AII varying from orange brown, through dull reddish brown, to very dark brown. AIII to apex of abdomen varying from dark brown to black.

Type Material
Holotype worker, Madagascar: Prov. Toliara, Forêt Beroboka, 5.9 km 131° SE Ankidranoka, 22°14’S, 43°22’E, 80 m, 12-16.iii.2002, BLF6070(8), CASENT0021184, sifted litter, tropical dry forest (B.L. Fisher). Paratypes. 7 workers with same data as holotype, but coded: BLF6070(9), CASENT0021185; BLF6070(21), CASENT0021186; BLF6070(22), CASENT0021187; BLF6070(23), CASENT0021188; BLF6070 (34), CASENT0021189; BLF6070(L0), CASENT0021192.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * 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.