Ravavy

AntWiki: The Ants --- Online

The only species in its genus, Ravavy miafina is only known from males. These have been collected in Malaise traps sampled from January through August in various locations across western Madagascar.

Identification

Ravavy is distinguished from all other described males in the dolichoderine genera by its unique mandibular shape. The elongate basal margin and reduced masticatory margin is considered apomorphic for the genus. The shape of the clypeus, length of scape and form of petiole, together form an inclusive diagnosis that isolates Ravavy from all other genera in the subfamily. No other described male is even superficially similar to Ravavy. The shape of the mandible in Bothriomyrmex Emery (see images on AntWeb CASENT0103279), however, is reminiscent in some respects. The mandible in Bothriomyrmex is not triangular as in Tapinoma for example, but like Ravavy, has a short masticatory margin compared to the basal margin. In Bothriomyrmex, however, the masticatory margin includes at least three teeth, while in Ravavy a single tooth is present. (Fisher 2009)  

Distribution

Distribution and Richness based on AntMaps

Species by Region

Number of species within biogeographic regions, along with the total number of species for each region.

Afrotropical Region Australasian Region Indo-Australian Region Malagasy Region Nearctic Region Neotropical Region Oriental Region Palaearctic Region
Species 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
Total Species 2840 1735 3042 932 835 4378 1740 2862

Fossils

Fossils are known from: Ethiopian amber (Early Miocene).

Biology

Castes

Known only from males.

Phylogeny

Dolichoderinae
Tapinomini
⊟
Bothriomyrmecini
⊟
Dolichoderini

Dolichoderus  (150 species, 51 fossil species)

Leptomyrmecini
⊟

See Phylogeny of Dolichoderinae for details.

Nomenclature

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

  • RAVAVY [Dolichoderinae: Bothriomyrmecini]
    • Ravavy Fisher, 2009: 46. Type-species: Ravavy miafina, by original designation.

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

Description

Male

Based on specimens of Ravavy miafina. Head longer than wide. Ventral margin of eye more or less flat. Antennae with 13 articles. Scape length twice that of flagellar segment 1. Scape not reaching posterior margin of head. Pedicel conical. First flagellar segment cylindrical, straight. Flagellar segments 1 and 2 three times as long as broad. Anteromedian clypeal margin entire, without central concavity. Posterior clypeal margin straight, not projecting between antennal socket cavities. Palpal formula 6:3 (confirmed with dissection). Mandible with single narrow apical tooth, located at tip of mandible; without series of serrate denticles or teeth along margin. Masticatory margin meeting basal margin in abrupt angle. Basal margin elongate, greater than twice length of masticatory margin. Propodeal angle indistinct; declivitous and dorsal faces of propodeum convex. In profile, petiole with distinct node; anterior and posterior margin subequal in height, dorsum evenly convex. Attachment to gaster broad. First gastral segment in dorsal view without grove for the reception of the entire height of the petiole.

References

Retrieved from "https://antwiki.org/wiki/index.php?title=Ravavy&oldid=706389"