Simopone consimilis

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Simopone consimilis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Formicidae
Subfamily: Dorylinae
Genus: Simopone
Species group: emeryi
Species: S. consimilis
Binomial name
Simopone consimilis
Bolton & Fisher, 2012

Simopone consimilis casent0077387 p 1 high.jpg

Simopone consimilis casent0077387 d 1 high.jpg

Specimen Labels

The types were collected from low vegetation in rainforest habitat.

Identification

A member of the emeryi species group. This is the only Malagasy species in which the mesosoma is broadest across the mesonotum in dorsal view. In all others the mesonotum is narrower than at least the propodeum, and usually also narrower than the pronotum. See the comparative notes under Simopone emeryi. (Bolton and Fisher 2012)

Keys including this Species

Distribution

Latitudinal Distribution Pattern

Latitudinal Range: -13.25222222° to -13.25222222°.

 
North
Temperate
North
Subtropical
Tropical South
Subtropical
South
Temperate

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists

Malagasy Region: Madagascar (type locality).

Distribution based on AntMaps

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Distribution based on AntWeb specimens

Check data from AntWeb

Countries Occupied

Number of countries occupied by this species based on AntWiki Regional Taxon Lists. In general, fewer countries occupied indicates a narrower range, while more countries indicates a more widespread species.
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Estimated Abundance

Relative abundance based on number of AntMaps records per species (this species within the purple bar). Fewer records (to the left) indicates a less abundant/encountered species while more records (to the right) indicates more abundant/encountered species.
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Biology

Explore-icon.png Explore Overview of Simopone biology 
Little is known about the biology of most species of Simopone. Specimens are rarely collected, and the number of species known only from workers is telling in regards to a lack of nest samples. Species are almost entirely arboreal but on occasion foraging workers are found on the ground or in rotten logs. Prey records are extremely sparse. They consist only of Crematogaster brood by Simopone vepres, and the brood of Terataner by Simopone sicaria. Nevertheless, these two records support the general supposition by Brown (1975) that most or all members of tribe Cerapachyini prey on other ants, or more probably the brood of other ants, but actual records are extremely rare. (Bolton and Fisher 2012)

Castes

Nomenclature

The following information is derived from Barry Bolton's Online Catalogue of the Ants of the World.

  • consimilis. Simopone consimilis Bolton & Fisher, 2012: 43, figs. 34-36 (w.) MADAGASCAR.
    • Type-material: holotype worker, 1 paratype worker.
    • Type-locality: holotype Madagascar: Prov. Antsiranana, Forêt Binara, 9.1 km. 233° SW Daraina, 650-800 m., 13°15.8’S, 49°36.2’E, 3-7.xii.2003, BLF9870, CASENT0077387, on low vegetation, rainforest (B.L. Fisher); paratype with same data.
    • Type-depository: CASC.
    • Distribution: Madagascar.

Unless otherwise noted the text for the remainder of this section is reported from the publication that includes the original description.

Description

Worker

Holotype and paratype. HL 1.60–1.68, HW 1.06–1.16, SL 0.48–0.52, EL 0.45–0.48, PW 0.83–0.88, AIIW 0.76–0.84, AIIL 0.86–0.94, AIIIW 0.91–1.02, AIIIL 1.03–1.06, WL 1.70–1.82, MFL 0.94–1.02, CI 66–69, SI 45, EL/HW 0.41–0.42, EP 0.81–0.85, AIIW/AIIL 0.88–0.89, AIIIW/AIIIL 0.88–0.96 (2 measured).

In full-face view anteriormost points of frontal lobes do not project beyond the level of the anterior clypeal margin. Eyes located in front of cephalic midlength (EP 0.81–0.85). Leading edge of scape with 2–3 projecting setae that are inclined toward the scape apex. In full-face view sides of head without projecting setae and in profile cephalic dorsum without standing setae; setae distinct on ventral surface of head. Cephalic dorsum between eyes with scattered punctures upon a smooth surface, without trace of striolate ground sculpture between punctures. In dorsal view the pronotum with a transverse carina anteriorly. Propodeal dorsum meets declivity through a bluntly rounded angle, without trace of a carina. Promesonotal suture very weakly indicated; metanotal groove absent. Mesosoma in dorsal view with sides evenly shallowly convex from front to back, broadest across mesonotum, narrowing to pronotal humeri and propodeal apex. Punctate sculpture on pronotal and mesonotal dorsa of about the same density, without a very obvious reduction in density on the mesonotum. Pronotum with a single pair of setae close to the humeri (abraded in holotype, visible in paratype); mesonotum and propodeum without setae. Dorsal (outer) surfaces of mesotibiae and metatibiae without projecting setae. Dorsal surface of AII (petiole) meets anterior surface in a low transverse carina. Posteriorly the dorsum of AII rounds evenly down to the foramen, without a carina. In dorsal view the posterior corners of AII are rounded dorsally and angulate ventrally. In dorsal view AII longer than broad; AIII longer than broad in the holotype but almost as broad as long in the paratype; AIV broader than long. Abdominal tergites from AII to AV without setae, but setae sparsely present on sternite of AIII, and very obvious on sternites of AIV and AV. Pubescence extremely dilute on sternite of AIII, almost absent. Abdominal tergites AII to AIV sculptured only with small punctures. Full adult colour black, appendages and clypeus lighter.

Holotype Specimen Labels

Type Material

Holotype worker (upper of two on pin), Madagascar: Prov. Antsiranana, Forêt Binara, 9.1 km 233° SW Daraina, 650-800 m, 13°15.8’S, 49°36.2’E, 3-7.xii.2003, BLF9870, CASENT0077387, on low vegetation, rainforest (B.L. Fisher) (California Academy of Sciences). Paratype. One worker (lower specimen on pin) with same data (CASC).

References