Discothyrea berlita

The single specimen was collected in a leaf litter sample in the only remaining patch of dense native vegetation near the summit of Le Pouce (Mauritius). Samples from other nearby mountain tops. Pieter Both (823 m), Calebasses (c.600 m), did not uncover any endemic Proceritiinae. (Fisher 2005)

Identification
Fisher (2005) - The following character combination differentiates berlita from all its congeners: scrobe absent, fused frontal carinae projecting perpendicular to the plane of the clypeus, expanding apically, not forming a thin lamellae: propodeal angle without acute teeth or spines: anterior margin of petiole concave when viewed from above.

The African species of Discothyrea fall into two groups: (1) those with the clypeo-frontal fusion flat topped and broad and with a depressed scrobe region, and (2) those in which the process forms a simple convex or angular vertical plate and lack a depressed scrobe region (Brown 1958.) The Discothyrea of Madagascar belong to the first group. D. berlita is most similar to those in the second group, but is distinct in that the vertical plate does not form a thin lamella, but is expanded apically.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Malagasy Region: Mauritius.

Nomenclature

 * . Discothyrea berlita Fisher, 2005: 659, figs. 1 – 4 (w.) MAURITIUS.
 * Type-material: holotype worker.
 * Type-locality: Mauritius: Le Pouce Mt., Moka Range, 20°11’55’’S, 57°31’44’’E, 750 m., 25.v.2005, BLF12148, CASENT0007016, closed vegetation (B.L. Fisher, et al.).
 * Type-depository: CASC.
 * Distribution: Mauritius.

Worker
HL 0.57, HW 0.52, CI 91, SL 0.36, SI 70, LS4 0.08, LT4 0.43, WL 0.64, IGR 0.19.

Form of head, mandibles, and body as shown in figures. Antennae 10-segmented: medium segments extremely short and not distinct when viewed with less than 100X magnification; scape expanded apically, reaching mid-point of head. Eyes with 2 or 3 facets. Without depressed scrobal area. Palpal segmentation requires dissection and thus was not determined. Mandible masiticatory margin concave, with two teeth, sharp apical tooth and smaller acute basal tooth. Propodeal angle without teeth or acute angles; declivitous face of propodeum concave. Petiole thick, with lateral margins on anterior face; anterior margin concave when viewed from above. Petiole with distinct convex subpetiolar process. Abdominal segment III longer than broad.

Head and mesosoma densely punctulate; petiole sculptured as mesosoma, abdominal segment III with sparse punctures; punctures evanescent on abdominal segment IV. Integument generally opaque, except shiny for impunctate areas of metasoma.

Body, including mandible and appendages, covered with dense fine, very short whitish decumbent pubescence, becoming sparse on abdominal segment III, and dense and nearly erect on abdominal segment IV.

Color testaceous red.

Type Material
Holotype: worker. Mauritius: Le Pouce Mt., Moka Range, 20°11’55”S, 057°31’44”E, 750 m. closed vegetation, 25 May 2005 (coll. B. L. Fisher et. Al.) Collection code: BLF12148, specimen code: CASENT0007016 (CASC).

Etymology
The specific name is an arbitrary combination, to be treated as a noun in apposition.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Fisher B. L. 2005. A new species of Discothyrea Roger from Mauritius and a new species of Proceratium Roger from Madagascar (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences (4)56: 657-667.