Simopone elegans

The types were collected from a dead twig above the ground in a tropical dry forest. Individuals have also been collected foraging on the ground and on low vegetation from littoral rainforest.

Identification
A member of the grandidieri species group. S. elegans exhibits the same size-related variation that is shown by Simopone grandidieri. Within the type-series HW varies from 0.58 to 0.74 and CI from 66 to 71. (Bolton and Fisher 2012)

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Malagasy Region: Madagascar.

Nomenclature

 * . Simopone elegans Bolton & Fisher, 2012: 48, figs. 43-45 (w.) MADAGASCAR.
 * Type-material: holotype worker, 4 paratype workers.
 * Type-locality: holotype Madagascar: Prov. Mahajanga, P.N. Baie de Baly, 12.4 km. 337° NNW Soalala, 10 m., 16°00.6’S, 45°15.9’E, 26-30.xi.2002, BLF6890, CASENT0492213, ex dead twig above ground, tropical dry forest (B.L. Fisher, et al.); paratypes: 2 workers with same data, 2 workers with same data but CASENT0492214.
 * Type-depository: CASC.
 * Status as species: Chen, Zhou & Liang, 2015: 9 (in key); Chen, Chen & Zhou, 2019: 28 (in key).
 * Distribution: Madagascar.

Worker
(holotype in parentheses). HL 0.88–1.24 (1.01), HW 0.58–0.88 (0.70), SL 0.21–0.34 (0.27), EL 0.27–0.34 (0.32), PW 0.46–0.70 (0.57), AIIW 0.48–0.68 (0.54), AIIL 0.54–0.80 (0.62), AIIIW 0.53–0.68 (0.62), AIIIL 0.54–0.75 (0.62), WL 1.04–1.44 (1.20), MFL 0.46–0.66 (0.55), CI 65–71 (69), SI 36–43 (39), EL/HW 0.39–0.47 (0.46), EP 0.74–0.84 (0.77), AIIW/AIIL 0.84–0.90 (0.87), AIIIW/AIIIL 0.90–1.00 (1.00) (10 measured).

Very similar to Simopone grandidieri and generally matching the description of that species, but differing as follows.

Leading edge of scape with one or two projecting setae that are inclined toward the scape apex. Cephalic dorsum to level of posterior margins of eyes with sharply defined microreticulate ground sculpture between larger foveolate punctures. Eye tends to be slightly farther forward in elegans (EP 0.74–0.84) than in grandidieri (EP 0.80–1.00). In full-face view sides of head often, but not always, with a very few short, projecting setae. Mesotibiae and metatibiae usually without standing setae, but one or two may be present (for instance, one is present on left mesotibia of holotype). AII longer than broad in dorsal view; AIII as broad as long to slightly longer than broad. Tergites AII to AIV usually with 1–2 pairs of setae anteriorly and sometimes 1–2 pairs near posterior margin of each segment, but numbers are variable and some abrasion is suspected. In the type-series sternites of AII–AIV have no setae, or at most have 1–2 short setae close to the posterior margins; setae on these segments are generally more apparent in the non-paratypic material. Dorsum of mesosoma usually retains at least traces of microreticulate ground sculpture, but this is generally more feebly developed than on the head between the eyes.

Type Material
Holotype worker (top specimen of three on pin), Madagascar: Prov. Mahajanga, P.N. Baie de Baly, 12.4 km 337° NNW Soalala, 10 m, 16°00.6’S, 45°15.9’E, 26-30.xi.2002, BLF#6890, ex dead twig above ground, tropical dry forest, CASENT0492213 (B.L. Fisher et al.). Paratypes. Two workers mounted on same pin below holotype; two workers with same data but CASENT0492214 (CASC).

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Blaimer B. B., S. G. Brady, T. R. Schultz, and B. L. Fisher. 2015. Fucntional and phylogenetic approaches reveal the evolution of diversity in a hyper diverse biota. Ecography 38: 001-012.
 * 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.