Tetramorium marojejy

Tetramorium marojejy is currently only known from two localities: the type locality Marojejy and Anjanaharibe-Sud. Both localities are montane rainforests located in north-eastern Madagascar at altitudes of 1200 to 1325 m. In addition, the new species was mainly collected from leaf litter. (Hita Garcia and Fisher 2012)

Identification
A member of the Tetramorium smaug species complex of the Tetramorium tortuosum-species group.

Key to Malagasy Tetramorium tortuosum-group species

Tetramorium marojejy can be easily distinguished from the remainder of the species complex by the following character combination: antennal scapes short to moderate (SI 79 - 85); propodeal spines long to very long (PSLI 34 - 37); anterodorsal and posterodorsal margins of petiolar node situated at about same height; first gastral tergite with numerous standing hairs; uniform orange to pale brown body colour. (Hita Garcia and Fisher 2012)

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Malagasy Region: Madagascar.

Nomenclature

 *  marojejy. Tetramorium marojejy Hita Garcia & Fisher, 2012: 71, figs. 18, 21, 22, 129-131, 142 (w.) MADAGASCAR.

Worker
HL 1.07 - 1.14 (1.11); HW 1.00 - 1.07 (1.05); SL 0.82 - 0.88 (0.85); EL 0.23 - 0.25 (0.24); PH 0.50 - 0.59 (0.54); PW 0.72 - 0.78 (0.75); WL 1.36 - 1.49 (1.42); PSL 0.36 - 0.41 (0.40); PTL 0.35 - 0.37 (0.36); PTH 0.37 - 0.41 (0.39); PTW 0.27 - 0.31 (0.29); PPL 0.35 - 0.37 (0.36); PPH 0.37 - 0.41 (0.39); PPW 0.36 - 0.39 (0.37); CI 91 - 96 (94); SI 79 - 85 (81); OI 22 - 24 (23); DMI 52 - 54 (53); LMI 37 - 39 (38); PSLI 34 - 37 (36); PeNI 37 - 39 (39); LPeI 89 - 97 (93); DPeI 77 - 84 (80); PpNI 49 - 51 (50); LPpI 88 - 95 (91); DPpI 101 - 109 (105); PPI 125 - 135 (129) (12 measured).

Head longer than wide (CI 91 - 96); posterior head margin distinctly concave. Anterior clypeal margin medially impressed. Frontal carinae strongly developed, diverging posteriorly, and ending at corners of posterior head margin. Antennal scrobes developed, but very shallow and narrow, without defined posterior and ventral margins. Antennal scapes of moderate length, not reaching posterior head margin (SI 79 - 85). Eyes of moderate size (OI 22 - 24). Mesosomal outline in profile flat to weakly convex, moderately marginate from lateral to dorsal mesosoma; promesonotal suture and metanotal groove absent; mesosoma comparatively stout and high (LMI 37 - 39). Propodeal spines long, spinose and acute (PSLI 34 - 37); propodeal lobes well-developed, triangular to elongate-triangular, and acute. Petiolar node in profile rectangular nodiform, approximately 1.0 to 1.1 times higher than long (LPeI 89 - 97), anterior and posterior faces approximately parallel, anterodorsal and posterodorsal margins situated at about same height, dorsum flat to weakly convex; node in dorsal view approximately 1.2 to 1.3 times longer than wide (DPeI 77 - 84). Postpetiole in profile globular, approximately 1.1 times higher than long (LPpI 88 - 95); in dorsal view around 1.0 to 1.1 times wider than long (DPpI 101 - 109). Postpetiole in profile approximately as high as petiolar node and generally appearing slightly less voluminous, in dorsal view approximately 1.2 to 1.4 times wider than petiolar node (PPI 125 - 135). Mandibles striate; clypeus longitudinally rugose, with four to six rugae, median ruga always present and distinct, remaining rugae variably developed; cephalic dorsum between frontal carinae with 9 to 11 longitudinal rugae, most rugae running unbroken from posterior head margin to anterior clypeus, few rugae interrupted, rarely with cross-meshes; lateral and ventral head longitudinally rugose to reticulate-rugose. Mesosoma laterally and dorsally distinctly longitudinally rugose. Forecoxae with well-developed and conspicuous longitudinal rugae. Waist segments strongly longitudinally rugose. Gaster unsculptured, smooth, and shining. Ground sculpture generally faint to absent everywhere on body. All dorsal surfaces of head, mesosoma, waist segments, and gaster with abundant, long, and fine standing hairs. Anterior edges of antennal scapes with suberect to erect hairs. Body of uniform orange to pale brown colour.

Type Material
Holotype worker, MADAGASCAR, Antsiranana, Parc National de Marojejy, Antranohofa, 26.6 km 31° NNE Andapa, 10.7 km 318° NW Manantenina, 14.44333 S, 49.74333 E, 1325 m, montane rainforest, canopy moss and leaf litter, collection code BLF09192, 19.XI.2003 (B.L. Fisher) (: CASENT0247334). Paratypes, 8 workers with same data as holotype (CASC: CASENT0247327; CASENT0247328; CASENT0247329; CASENT0247330; CASENT0247333; CASENT0499782; CASENT0499783; CASENT0499784).

Etymology
This new species is named after the type locality, the Park National de Marojejy, which is one of the most important places for the conservation of biodiversity in Madagascar due to the extraordinarily high diversity of landscapes, habitats, fauna and flora. The species epithet is a noun in apposition, and thus invariant.