Anochetus grandidieri

A common and widespread Anochetus species that is a Madagascar endemic.

Identification
Fisher and Smith (2008) - The species is most similar to Anochetus madagascarensis but can be easily distinguished by its small eyes and scape that does not surpass the occipital lobe. A. madagascarensis has large eyes (0.24–0.26 mm), and scapes that surpass occipital lobes.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Uganda. Malagasy Region: Madagascar.

Biology
Fisher and Smith (2008) - Widespread throughout Madagascar in forest and shrubland habitats below 1,550 m elevation (Fig 4b). It has been collected in gallery, dry, littoral, lowland, and montane forest, in desert spiny bush thicket in the southwest, and Uapaca woodland in the central plateau. As in many soil dwelling ants, A. grandidieri has reduced eyes (EL/HW 0.11–0.13) and short scapes. A. grandidieri is the only Anochetus in Madagascar with these soil nesting modifications. The subterranean habitat of this species may allow it to survive in a wide range of habitats in Madagascar from desert to woodland to montane forest. Out of 453 collecting events, A. grandidieri was most often recorded in sifted litter (97 collection records), rotten logs (96), and Malaise traps (155).

Nomenclature

 *  grandidieri. Anochetus grandidieri Forel, 1891b: 108, pl. 3, fig. 9 (w.) MADAGASCAR. Fisher & Smith, 2008: 8 (q.m.). Senior synonym of madecassus: Brown, 1978c: 557.
 * madecassus. Anochetus madecassus Santschi, 1928d: 54 (q.) MADAGASCAR. Junior synonym of grandidieri: Brown, 1978c: 557.

Worker
Fisher and Smith (2008) - Measurements: maximum and minimum based on all specimens, n = 20. HL 0.79–1.19, HW 0.71–1.06, CI 85–95, EL 0.08–0.13, ML 0.33–0.57, MI 41–54, SL 0.57–0.88, SI 78–86, WL 0.87–1.35, FL 0.57–0.90, PW 0.44–0.62.

Inner blade of mandible without teeth and denticles; apical end of inner blade without a notched semicircular concavity. Eyes small (0.05–0.11 mm), projecting dorsolaterally. In full face view, antennal scape usually not reaching, and not surpassing posterior margin of occipital lobe. Dorsal surface of head with numerous short setae.

Queen
Fisher and Smith (2008) - Measurements: maximum and minimum based on n = 5. HL 0.88–1.15, HW 0.81–1.07, CI 92–96, EL 0.17–0.23, ML 0.39–0.56, MI 44–49, SL 0.62–0.87, SI 77–81, WL 1.08–1.46. FL 0.68–0.96, PW 0.60–0.78.

Very similar to workers, only slightly larger than respective size class (Figs 3e–h). Ergatoid queens not recorded.

Male
Fisher and Smith (2008) - Measurements: maximum and minimum based on n = 5 from Madagascar: HL 0.58–0.73, HW 0.78–0.94, CI 129–135, EL 0.37–0.46, SL 0.10–0.15, SI 13–16, WL 1.17–1.52, FL 0.78–1.08

Type Material
Fisher and Smith (2008):

Anochetus grandidieri. Lectotype: worker, Madagascar, Forest of the east coast (M. Humblot), present designation [examined], AntWeb CASENT0101819.

Anochetus madecassus Santschi, 1928: 54. Lectotype: dealate queen, Madagascar, Nossi-Bé (Descarpentries) Lectotype by present designation [examined] AntWeb CASENT0101098.

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.