Ravavy miafina

The only species in its genus, Ravavy miafina is only known from males. These have been collected in Malaise traps sampled from January through August in various locations across western Madagascar. The nesting habits of Ravavy are not known.

Identification
Ravavy is distinguished from all other described males in the dolichoderine genera by its unique mandibular shape. The elongate basal margin and reduced masticatory margin is considered apomorphic for the genus. The shape of the clypeus, length of scape and form of petiole, together form an inclusive diagnosis that isolates Ravavy from all other genera in the subfamily. No other described male is even superficially similar to Ravavy. The shape of the mandible in Bothriomyrmex Emery (see images on AntWeb CASENT0103279), however, is reminiscent in some respects. The mandible in Bothriomyrmex is not triangular as in Tapinoma for example, but like Ravavy, has a short masticatory margin compared to the basal margin. In Bothriomyrmex, however, the masticatory margin includes at least three teeth, while in Ravavy a single tooth is present. (Fisher 2009)

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Malagasy Region: Madagascar.

Habitat
Habitats in which this species was collected include the spiny bush near Fort Dauphin, dry forest in Kirindy near Morandava, rainforest in the Sambirano region on the Ampasindava Peninsula, and coastal scrub on sand dunes near Antiranana in the northeastern tip of Madagascar.

Castes
Known only from the male caste.

Nomenclature

 *  miafina. Ravavy miafina Fisher, 2009: 47, figs. 6, 7b (m.) MADAGASCAR.

Male
maximum and minimum based on n=10: HL 0.46–0.50, HW 0.43–0.47, CI 91–98, ED 0.20–0.23, SL 0.17–0.21, SI 39–47, WL 0.78–0.84, FL 0.60–0.70.

With characters of the genus, and the following. Head longer than wide, CI 91–98. Clypeus prominent; width of clypeus from posterior margin at antennal sockets to anterior margin equal in length to antennal segment 3 (flagellar segment 1). Anteromedial clypeal margin with single pair of setae projecting in line with the mandibles, posterior to this pair and more distal, single pair of suberect setae project anterodorsally above mandibles. Pair of erect setae posterior of clypeus between antennal sockets. Clypeus and head with short appressed setae. Mandibles smooth under dense matte of appressed setae. Dorsum of mesosoma, and gaster with dense pubescence. Mesosoma without erect setae; abdominal tergites A5–8 with at least one pair of erect setae. Petiolar node smooth and shiny, without pubescence. Venter of petiole with well-developed lobe. Propodeum elongate, dorsal and declivitous faces continuous without angle. Pygostyles present.

Type Material
Holotype: male, Madagascar, Province Antsiranana, Ampasindava, Forêt d'Ambilanivy, 3.9 km 181° S Ambaliha, 13.79861°S, 48.16167°E, 600m, 4–9 March 2001, Malaise trap, rainforest (coll. B.L. Fisher et al.) collection code: BLF03251, pin code: CASENT0081523. Paratypes: 6 males with same data as holotype but pins coded CASENT0476953, CASENT0476983, CASENT0476947, CASENT0081525 (,CASC, MBCC, ).

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Fisher B. L. 2009. Two new dolichoderine ant genera from Madagascar: Aptinoma gen. n. and Ravavy gen. n. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 2118: 37-52.