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Vitsika astuta
| Vitsika astuta | |
|---|---|
| |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Formicidae |
| Subfamily: | Myrmicinae |
| Tribe: | Crematogastrini |
| Genus: | Vitsika |
| Species: | V. astuta |
| Binomial name | |
| Vitsika astuta Bolton & Fisher, 2014
| |
Specimens of astuta have been found in leaf litter, in rotten logs, and in living plant stems, in rainforest.
Identification
Bolton and Fisher (2014) - The largest of the yellow species of Vitsika, Vitsika astuta actually appears to be more closely related to darkly coloured species such as Vitsika miranda and Vitsika obscura. Comments on their separation are given under those names.
Keys including this Species
Distribution
Endemic to Madagascar.
Latitudinal Distribution Pattern
Latitudinal Range: -14.0175° to -14.0175°.
| North Temperate |
North Subtropical |
Tropical | South Subtropical |
South Temperate |
- Source: AntMaps
Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Malagasy Region: Madagascar (type locality).
Distribution based on AntMaps
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
Castes
Males have yet to be collected.
Queen
Images from AntWeb
   
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| Paratype of Vitsika astuta. Queen (alate/dealate). Specimen code casent0178900. Photographer Erin Prado, uploaded by California Academy of Sciences. | Owned by CAS, San Francisco, CA, USA. |
Nomenclature
The following information is derived from Barry Bolton's Online Catalogue of the Ants of the World.
- astuta. Vitsika astuta Bolton & Fisher, 2014: 74, figs. 84-86, Map 150 (w.q.) 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 in parentheses). TL 3.2–3.7 (3.6), HL 0.74–0.85 (0.80), HW 0.60–0.71 (0.69), CI 82–86 (86), SL 0.54–0.66 (0.60), SI 85–90 (87), PW 0.46–0.55 (0.52), WL 0.88–1.08 (1.02) (10 measured).
Eye with 8–9 rows of ommatidia, and with 9–11 ommatidia in the longest row; EL 0.17–0.21 (EL/HW 0.27–0.30). MfL 0.66–0.80 (MfL/HW 1.06–1.13). Median portion of clypeus with two carinae on each side, the area between them smooth. In profile, the dorsal outline of the propodeum flat to shallowly convex, without a distinct peak in its outline posterior to the mesonotal-propodeal junction. Propodeal declivity without transverse costulae, or at most with weak vestiges present. Diameter of annulus of propodeal spiracle is at least equal to the thickness of the propodeal spine at its midlength. Petiole node in profile cuneate, slightly inclined anteriorly, entirely unsculptured; in posterior view low and broad, its dorsal surface broadly rounded. Height of petiole node in posterior view (from midpoint of the dorsal margin of the foramen to the apex) 0.90–1.00 × its maximum width. In dorsal view postpetiole 1.20–1.32 × broader than long; maximum width of postpetiole 0.94–1.04 × the length of a propodeal spine; maximum width of postpetiole 0.86–0.96 × the distance between the apices of the propodeal spines. Postpetiole node in profile relatively short and strongly convex dorsally, the length of the node in profile is distinctly less than the height of the segment. Disc of postpetiole entirely smooth, glossy, without trace of lateral longitudinal costulae. Dorsal (outer) surface of the metatibia with a few suberect that are setae long and fine, at least as long as the maximum tibial width. Full adult colour yellow.
Queen
(gyne). Only alates known. HL 0.88–0.90, HW 0.75–0.76, CI 84–85, SL 0.63–0.66, SI 84–87, PW 0.62–0.64, WL 1.26–1.28, maximum width of mesoscutum 0.56–0.60, maximum length of mesoscutum 0.56–0.60, MfL 0.82 (2 measured).
Type Material
Holotype worker, Madagascar: Prov. Antsiranana, R.S. Manongarivo, 17.3 km. 218° SW Antanambao, 1580 m., 14°01.3’S, 48°25.1’E, 27.x.1998, sifted litter (leaf mold, rotten wood), montane rainforest, BLF 1970(50)-13, (no CASENT number) (B.L. Fisher) (California Academy of Sciences). Paratypes. 6 workers, 3 dealate queens, with same data as holotype and all BLF 1970: workers, (05) CASENT0192036, (11) CASENT0127746, (16) CASENT0192020, (22)-13 (no CASENT number), (50) CASENT019202, (50)-12 (no CASENT number); queens, (22)-11 (no CASENT number), (49)-9 (no CASENT number), (no BLF code) CASENT0178900 (CASC, The Natural History Museum).
References
- Bolton, B. & Fisher, B.L. 2014. The Madagascan endemic myrmicine ants related to Eutetramorium (Hymenoptera: Formicidae): taxonomy of the genera Eutetramorium Emery, Malagidris nom. n., Myrmisaraka gen. n., Royidris gen. n., and Vitsika gen. n. Zootaxa 3791:1–99. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.3791.1.1
References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics
- Bolton B., and B. L. Fisher. 2014. The Madagascan endemic myrmicine ants related to Eutetramorium (Hymenoptera: Formicidae): taxonomy of the genera Eutetramorium Emery, Malagidris nom. n., Myrmisaraka gen. n., Royidris gen. n., and Vitsika gen. n. Zootaxa 3791(1): 1-99.