Tanipone pilosa

All specimens have been found in tropical dry forest, either as ground foragers, on low vegetation, or in rot pockets on tree trunks.

Identification
A member of the hirsuta species group. Superficially as Tanipone hirsuta, with similar dense pilosity and AIII glandular patches. However, pilosa is distinctly less strongly sculptured and has eyes that are situated more anteriorly than in hirsuta. (Bolton and Fisher 2012)

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Malagasy Region: Madagascar.

Nomenclature

 *  pilosa. Tanipone pilosa Bolton & Fisher, 2012: 91, figs. 101-103 (w.) MADAGASCAR.

Worker
(holotype in parentheses). HL 1.12–1.18 (1.12), HW 0.89–0.97 (0.90), SL 0.52–0.58 (0.52), EL 0.35–0.40 (0.36), PW 0.69–0.77 (0.70), AIIW 0.62–0.74 (0.67), AIIL 0.62–0.70 (0.62), AIIIW 0.76–0.88 (0.77), AIIIL 0.68–0.80 (0.73), WL 1.42–1.54 (1.48), MFL 0.90–1.00 (0.92), CI 78–82 (80), SI 58–61 (58), EL/HW 0.37–0.42 (0.40), AIIW/AIIL 0.96–1.08 (1.08), AIIIW/AIIIL 1.05–1.16 (1.05) (10 measured).

With head in full-face view the side from the posterior clypeal margin to the anterior margin of the eye with more than one laterally projecting seta present. Side of head below outline of eye usually with 2 long setae that project laterally; sometimes with a third close to the anterior margin of the eye. Side of head behind level of eye with numerous projecting, curved setae of varying length. In profile the entire cephalic dorsum with a number of long, fine, standing setae, and also with abundant short, suberect to subdecumbent setae; too many setae in all to count easily. The short setae on the dorsum to the level of the eye are curved posteromedially; those near the posterior margin are curved anteriorly. Posterior margin of head with 6–8 longer setae and a greater number of short setae. Entire dorsum of mesosoma with an abundance of short, suberect to subdecumbent, curved setae. Dorsum of each sclerite also with a variable number of longer, fine setae: pronotum, mesonotum and propodeum each usually with 2–3 such long pairs. Mesofemur and metafemur in dorsal view with a number of standing setae, of variable length, on both the anterior and posterior surfaces. Generally with two longer setae near the apex on the anterior surface of each femur, and usually with one long pair near the apex on the posterior surface. Dorsal and ventral surfaces of both mesofemur and metafemur with setae present; on the ventral surfaces usually with 2–3 that are relatively long, at least near the trochanter. Dorsum of AII (petiole) with 2–3 pairs of long setae and numerous shorter setae, and with a transverse row of about 4–6 long setae along the posterior margin. Dorsa of AIII and AIV each with standing long setae present all over their surfaces, and with abundant, short subdecumbent setae everywhere that are directed posteriorly. Sternites of AIII and AIV with numerous setae of varying length present. Cephalic dorsum with shallow foveolate punctures; distances between punctures, at least above the eyes and between the eyes and antennal fossae, less than the diameters of the punctures. Narrow spaces between the punctures with very fine microsculpture between eye and antennal fossa, smooth elsewhere. Side of pronotum as smooth as anepisternum. Dorsum of mesosoma with small foveolate punctures, the spaces between which are generally equal to or slightly greater than the puncture diameters. AII (petiole) in dorsal view appears as broad as long to slightly broader than long; in profile its tergite appears longer than high. Structure of AIII glandular patches as described in definition of hirsuta group, above. Tergite of AIII, in front of and between the glandular patches, with spaced foveolate punctures; cuticle between punctures smooth. Posterior margin of AIII tergite with a pair of elongate off-white to yellowish spots. Tergite of AIV with small foveolate punctures whose diameters average equal to or less than the distances between them. Full adult colour uniformly black, except for the pale spots on AIII; appendages usually lighter than mesosoma, brown to dark brown, and usually with tarsi lighter than tibiae and femora.

Type Material
Holotype worker, Madagascar: Prov. Antsiranana, Rés. Analamerana, 28.4 km 99° Anivorano-Nord, 12°44.80’S, 49°29.69’E, 60 m, 5-7.xii.2004, tropical dry forest, BLF11424, CASENT0110420 (B.L. Fisher). Paratype. 1 worker with same data as holotype but coded BLF11412, CASENT0110579 (CASC).

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.