Tanipone maculata

All known specimens have been captured as ground foragers, retrieved from litter samples and pitfall traps, or found under stones or in rotten logs. Every sample originates in spiny forest or tropical dry forest.

Identification
A member of the maculata species group. Within the maculata complex the closest related species is Tanipone zona. The two are most easily separated by the shape of the pale area on the tergite of AIII, which in maculata takes the form of a pair of pale spots and in zona of a continuous pale band. In addition, specimens of maculata tend to be more setose overall than those of zona. In particular, specimens of maculata predominantly possess a pair of mesonotal setae, and also have a single ventral seta on both the mesofemur and metafemur, located just distal of the trochanter. By contrast, specimens of zona predominantly lack mesonotal setae, and also usually lack setae on the ventral surfaces of both mesofemur and metafemur. (Bolton and Fisher 2012)

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Malagasy Region: Madagascar.

Nomenclature

 *  maculata. Tanipone maculata Bolton & Fisher, 2012: 89, figs. 98-100 (w. ergatoid q.) MADAGASCAR.

In terms of pilosity and sculpture this is the most variable species of its group. The presence or absence of setae on several parts of the body, and their variable number when present, may to some extent be the result of abrasion, but may indicate that the components of what is regarded here as a single species could be further subdivided. Similarly, the variation in microsculpture, from almost absent to distinctly microreticulate, may indicate the presence of more than one real species. The acquisition of several good nest-samples is necessary to assess just how variable these morphological aspects may be in a single colony.

There are two especially densely microreticulate specimens. Their descriptions are included below, even though they are suspected of being ergatoids and not true workers. The uncertainty stems from the gradual increase in density and intensity of mesosomal microsculpture across a series of specimens, as well as because the densely sculptured forms tend also to be the most setose. Whether this perceived variation, possibly additionally confused by the presence of ergatoids, represents a normal morphocline within a single species, or an indication that more than one species is present, remains to be analysed.

Worker
(holotype in parentheses). HL 0.69–0.90 (0.86), HW 0.53–0.75 (0.69), SL 0.32–0.42 (0.40), EL 0.24–0.32 (0.31), PW 0.40–0.58 (0.54), AIIW 0.36–0.56 (0.52), AIIL 0.35–0.58 (0.50), AIIIW 0.45–0.66 (0.64), AIIIL 0.37–0.56 (0.55), WL 0.84–1.20 (1.10), MFL 0.48–0.68 (0.64), CI 75–83 (80), SI 54–61 (58), EL/HW 0.40–0.47 (0.45), AIIW/AIIL 0.97–1.09 (1.04), AIIIW/AIIIL 1.12–1.28 (1.16) (10 measured).

Cephalic pilosity and structure of AIII glandular patches as described in definition of maculata group, above. With head in full-face view the side in front of the eye usually without a laterally projecting seta behind the level of the posterior clypeal margin, but very rarely one is present. Posterior margin of head with 2–4 setae. Dorsum of pronotum with a single pair of setae, at the humeri; mesonotum usually with a pair of setae; propodeum without setae. Mesofemur and metafemur in dorsal view without projecting setae on the anterior or posterior surfaces. Ventral surfaces of mesofemur and metafemur usually with a short seta present just distal of the trochanter, but these are absent in some specimens. Dorsal surface of AII (petiole) with an anterior pair of setae; rarely also with a posterior pair present. Tergite of AIII with 2–4 setae anteriorly, which are situated well in front of the anterior margins of the glandular patches; posterior margin of AIII tergite often without setae but sometimes a pair present and rarely with two pairs. Tergite of AIV with a transverse row of 4–6 setae anteriorly; sometimes also with setae at the posterior margin. Sternites of AIII and AIV with setae present. Cephalic dorsum with scattered small punctures, their diameters less than the distances between them. Spaces between punctures usually with weak ground sculpture at least in places, but sometimes the ground sculpture is extensive and easily visible. Katepisternum mostly to entirely smooth. Dorsum of mesosoma with scattered small punctures, as on the head their diameters are less than the distances between them. Spaces between punctures vary from almost smooth to distinctly microreticulate. AII (petiole) in dorsal view appears slightly broader than long; in profile its tergite appears longer than high. Tergite of AIII between the glandular patches with scattered small punctures, the spaces between them varying from smooth to microreticulate. Apex of AIII tergite with a pair of transversely elongated pale spots that are separated medially by a longitudinal dark median strip that narrows posteriorly. Tergite of AIV sparsely punctate, usually the spaces between punctures with feeble ground sculpture, sometimes microreticulate. Full adult colour dark brown to black (except for the distinct pale spots on AIII). One of the heavily sculptured specimens has the dorsal head to the level of the eyes, and the sides of the head, orange brown. This specimen, suspected to be an ergatoid, is larger than the size range noted above, with HL 0.98, HW 0.78, SL 0.46; its indices and ratios are within the normal worker range.

Type Material
Holotype worker (top specimen of three on pin), Madagascar: Prov. Toliara, P.N. Andohahela, 1.7 km 61° ENE Tsimelahy, 300 m, 24°56’S, 46°39’E, 16-20.i.2002, ex rotten log, tropical dry forest, BLF4969, CASENT0001335 (B.L. Fisher). Paratypes. 2 workers below holotype on same pin; 2 workers with same data but CASENT0001386; 3 workers with same data but CASENT0001426 (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.