Carebara vazimba

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Carebara vazimba
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Formicidae
Subfamily: Myrmicinae
Tribe: Crematogastrini
Genus: Carebara
Species: C. vazimba
Binomial name
Carebara vazimba
Azorsa & Fisher, 2018

Carebara vazimba Holotype worker casent0055532 p.jpg Carebara vazimba Holotype worker casent0055532 d.jpg Holotype Labels


Carebara vazimba is known from the north of Madagascar. This species was found in littoral rainforest and rainforest at 10 m and 240 m, respectively. Individuals of C. vazimba were found in rotten logs, leaf mold, and rotten wood. Specimens were collected using maxi-Winkler traps.

Identification

Azorsa and Fisher (2018) - Antennae ten-segmented. Major: Head nearly subrectangular, longer than wide, lateral margins straight and parallel, posterolateral corners well developed, posterior margin of head deeply concave in the middle, head with longitudinal rugae directed to the posterior margin; dorsum of propodeum flat, and declining posteriorly, posterodorsal corner with a pair of small triangular teeth; gaster with short decumbent hairs, and dispersed and longer subdecumbent hairs. Minor: Head nearly subrectangular, slightly longer than wide, posterior margin of head nearly straight, weakly concave, lateral margins convex; dorsum of propodeum nearly flat, posterodorsal corner with a pair of small triangular teeth, combined outline of dorsal surface of peduncle and anterior face of node concave, and posterior face slightly convex; gaster with short decumbent hairs, and longer and dispersed subdecumbent hairs.

Carebara vazimba can be confused with Carebara kabosy but can be separated by the length of the propodeal tooth, which is shorter than propodeal spiracle diameter in C. vazimba and slightly longer in C. kabosy. C. vazimba is distributed in the north of Madagascar, while C. kabosy is distributed in the north, northeastern and nortwestern areas of Madagascar. Other five species were collected at the same localities: Carebara bara, Carebara berivelo, Carebara grandidieri, Carebara jajoby, and C. kabosy.

C. vazimba have three intermediates in the major worker subcaste. The posterolateral corner of head in intermediate 1 is slightly narrowed posteriorly, the posterior margin of the head is medially concave in all intermediates. Eyes are small and reduced to one ommatidium in intermediate 1 but intermediate 3 has eyes made up of one to twelve ommatidia. Ocelli are absent in intermediates 1 and 2, but present in intermediate 3 (one ocellus). Reduced flight sclerites are present in intermediate 3, and absent in intermediates 1 and 2. The promesonotum is nearly rounded in intermediates 1 and 2, and strongly convex in intermediate 3. The dorsum of the mesosoma is convex anteriorly and gradually slopes to the declivity in intermediate 3, while in intermediates 1 and 2 the dorsum of the mesosoma is convex anteriorly, propodeum below the promesonotum. There is no variation in the form of the petiole. The sculpture of the head of intermediate 3 is more striking than that of intermediates 1 and 2, where rugae on the head are more finely marked and the frontal area is smooth and shiny. Pilosity on the head and body follows the same pattern in all intermediates.

Keys including this Species

Distribution

Latitudinal Distribution Pattern

Latitudinal Range: -13.11833° to -18.84963°.

 
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

Castes

Worker

Images from AntWeb

Carebara vazimba casent0055533 h.jpgCarebara vazimba casent0055533 p.jpgCarebara vazimba casent0055533 d.jpgCarebara vazimba casent0055533 l.jpg
Paratype of Carebara vazimbaWorker. Specimen code casent0055533. Photographer Frank Azorsa, 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.

  • vazimba. Carebara vazimba Azorsa & Fisher, 2018: 140, figs. 66, 67, 69 (s.w.) MADAGASCAR.
    • Type-material: holotype major worker, 13 paratype major workers, 17 paratype minor workers.
    • Type-locality: holotype Madagascar: Antsiranana, Ambondrobe, 41.1 km. 175° Vohemar, -13.71533, 50.10167, 10 m., 29.xi.2004, BLF11100, littoral rainforest (B.L. Fisher); paratypes: 10 major workers, 15 minor workers with same data, 3 major workers, 2 minor workers with same data but BLF11107, 30.xi.2004, and BLF11123.
    • Type-depositories: CASC (holotype); BMNH, CASC, MCZC, MHNG, NHMB (paratypes).
    • 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

Major. (n=6): HL 0.64–1.02 (1.01); HW 0.50–0.78 (0.75); SL 0.26–0.35 (0.34); ML 0.14–0.24 (0.24); EL 0.01–0.05 (0.05); EM 0.16–0.26 (0.25); HD 0.34–0.57 (0.56); WL 0.52–0.86 (0.81); PSL 0.05–0.10 (0.10); PW 0.31–0.54 (0.52); MFL 0.30–0.47 (0.46); MFW 0.07–0.11 (0.10); MTL 0.23–0.38 (0.36); PTL 0.18–0.36 (0.36); PNL 0.09–0.14 (0.14); PTH 0.15–0.25 (0.24); PTW 0.14–0.23 (0.23); PPL 0.12–0.20 (0.19); PPNL 0.10–0.18 (0.18); PPH 0.12–0.24 (0.22); PPW 0.17–0.28 (0.27); GL 0.41–0.97 (0.92); GW 0.40–0.86 (0.86); CI 74–78 (74); MI 22–25 (24); SI 34–42 (34); MLI 58–64 (61); PPLI 53–67 (53); PPI 117–129 (117); PSI 9–13 (13).

Head longer than wide (CI 74–78), in full-face view nearly subrectangular, about 1.3 times longer than wide, slightly narrowed posteriorly. Posterior margin of head deeply concave in the middle, posterolateral corners well developed and rounded, lateral margins straight and parallel. Mandibles with six teeth. Anterior margin of clypeus nearly straight, and laterally convex. Antennae with ten segments. Scapes short (HL 0.64–1.02, SL 0.26–0.35, SI 34–42). Ocelli present or absent. Eyes present, consisting of one to twenty ommatidia (EL 0.01–0.05). Supraclypeal area triangular and well defined.

In profile view, posterolateral corner of head with an angulate and triangular tooth resembling a horn. Promesonotum high and nearly rounded. Promesonotal suture present or absent on dorsum, mesonotum absent or present, metanotal groove deeply impressed. Propodeum lower than promesonotum, about 1.5 times higher than long, dorsal face of propodeum flat and declining posteriorly, anterodorsal corner rounded, posterodorsal corners each armed with a triangular tooth, declivity concave with thin lateral laminae. Propodeal lobes convex. Propodeal spiracle rounded and situated slightly above mid-height of sclerite, and beyond mid-length of sclerite by about half the diameter of the spiracle, distance from propodeal spiracle to posterodorsal corner of propodeum about twice the diameter of the spiracle (PSL 0.05–0.10), and distance to declivity about 1.3 times the diameter of the spiracle. In dorsal view, promesonotum about as long as wide, anterior margin and sides rounded, narrowed posteriorly; sides of propodeum straight.

Petiole longer than high (PTL 0.18–0.36, PTH 0.15–0.25) and with relatively long peduncle, ventral face slightly convex in the middle. Combined outline of dorsal surface of peduncle and anterior face of node concave at center, posterior face of node vertical and straight, anterodorsal corner convex, posterodorsal corner rounded, and dorsum nearly rounded. Subpetiolar process produced as a small denticle, almost same as the diameter of the propodeal spiracle. Postpetiolar node convex and lower than petiolar node. In dorsal view, petiolar node almost as wide as postpetiolar node (PTW 0.14–0.23, PPW 0.17–0.28) and petiolar node wider than long (PNL 0.09–0.14, PTW 0.14–0.23), anterior and posterior margins of petiole and postpetiole almost straight, sides of petiole and postpetiole rounded.

Dorsal surface of mandibles, clypeus and frons smooth and shiny with scattered piligerous punctae on head and mandibles. Head with longitudinal and parallel rugae directed to posterior margin of head. Mesosoma smooth and shiny, except for katepisternum and propodeum (areolate), metapleuron (finely areolate and with longitudinal rugae), and sides of pronotum (finely longitudinal rugulose). Petiole, ventral face and sides of postpetiole areolate. In dorsal view, median area of promesonotum smooth and shiny, as well as postpetiole and gaster. Propodeum and petiole weakly sculptured in smaller major workers and smooth and shiny in larger major workers.

Lateral margins of the head with short appressed hairs and long erect to suberect hairs, posterior margin with subdecumbent hairs. Scapes with appressed hairs. Outer margin of mandibles with sparse and short appressed hairs. Mesosoma with short and long erect and suberect hairs. Petiole and postpetiole with short decumbent hairs and long subdecumbent hairs. Tibia with appressed hairs. Gaster with short decumbent hairs and long suberect to subdecumbent hairs. Color yellowish ferruginous.

Minor. (n=10): HL 0.33–0.39; HW 0.29–0.34; SL 0.20–0.24; ML 0.08–0.09; EL 0.01–0.02; EM 0.09–0.11; HD 0.19– 0.23; WL 0.32–0.39; PSL 0.02–0.04; PW 0.18–0.21; MFL 0.20–0.25; MFW 0.05– 0.06; MTL 0.14–0.18; PTL 0.12–0.14; PNL 0.06–0.07; PTH 0.09–0.11; PTW 0.07–0.09; PPL 0.07–0.10; PPNL 0.06–0.08; PPH 0.06–0.08; PPW 0.10–0.12; GL 0.27–0.39; GW 0.21–0.26; CI 86–89; MI 22–27; SI 59–62; MLI 68–74; PPLI 54– 71; PPI 122–147; PSI 6–13.

Head longer than wide (CI 86–89), in full-face view nearly subrectangular, about 1.2 times longer than wide. Posterior margin of head nearly straight, weakly concave, posterolateral corners rounded, lateral margins convex. Mandibles with five teeth. Anterior margin of clypeus nearly straight, and laterally convex. Antennae with ten segments. Scape fails to reach posterior margin of head (HL 0.33–0.39, SL 0.20–0.24, SI 59–62). Eyes present, consisting of one ommatidium (EL 0.01–0.02). Supraclypeal area short and triangular.

In profile view, promesonotum weakly convex, nearly flat, metanotal groove present. Propodeum about 1.3 times higher than long, dorsal face of propodeum nearly flat and declining posteriorly, anterodorsal corner rounded, posterodorsal corners each armed with a small triangular tooth, declivity concave with thin lateral laminae. Propodeal lobes convex. Propodeal spiracle small, rounded, and situated above mid-height of sclerite, and beyond mid-length of sclerite by about half the diameter of the spiracle, distance from propodeal spiracle to posterodorsal corner of propodeum about 2.2 times the diameter of the spiracle (PSL 0.02–0.04), and distance to declivity same as the diameter of the spiracle. In dorsal view, promesonotum about 1.1 times longer than wide, anterior margin rounded, sides convex and narrowed posteriorly; sides of propodeum straight.

Petiole longer than high (PTL 0.12–0.14, PTH 0.09–0.11) and with relatively short peduncle, ventral face convex at center. Combined outline of dorsal surface of peduncle and anterior face of node concave, posterior face of node vertical and slightly convex, anterodorsal and posterodorsal corner convex, dorsum rounded. Subpetiolar process produced as a small denticle, almost as large as the diameter of the propodeal spiracle. Postpetiolar node convex and lower than petiolar node. In dorsal view, postpetiolar node wider than petiolar node (PTW 0.07–09, PPW 0.10–0.12), and petiolar node wider than long (PNL 0.06–0.07, PTW 0.07–0.09), anterior and posterior margins of petiole and postpetiole nearly straight, sides nearly rounded in petiole and postpetiole.

Dorsal surface of head, mandibles and clypeus smooth and shiny with scattered piligerous punctae on head and mandibles. Gena and frontal lobes with longitudinal rugae. Mesosoma smooth and shiny, except for katepisternum and propodeum (areolate), and metapleuron (longitudinally areolate-rugose). Petiole and ventral face of postpetiole areolate-rugose. In dorsal view, promesonotum, postpetiole and gaster smooth and shiny; propodeum and petiole areolate.

Lateral margins and posterior margin of head with short decumbent hairs. Scapes with appressed hairs. Outer margin of mandible with sparse appressed hairs. Mesosoma with short and long suberect hairs. Petiole and postpetiole with short appressed hairs and long subdecumbent hairs. Tibia with appressed hairs. Gaster with short decumbent to appressed hairs and long subdecumbent hairs. Color yellowish ferruginous.

Type Material

Holotype. (major worker), Madagascar, Antsiranana, Ambondrobe, 41.1 km 175° Vohemar, -13.71533, 50.10167, 10 m, littoral rainforest, 29.xi.2004, (B.L. Fisher). Collection code BLF11100, (California Academy of Sciences: CASENT0055532). Paratypes: (13 major workers and 17 workers), with same data as holotype, 10 major workers (The Natural History Museum: CASENT0055521, CASC: CASENT0055650, CASENT0055647, CASENT0055641, CASENT0055652, CASENT0055525, CASENT0055527, Museum of Comparative Zoology: CASENT0055536, Musee d'Histoire Naturelle Genève: CASENT0055531, Naturhistorisches Museum, Basel: CASENT0055643), and 15 workers (BMNH: CASENT0055524, CASC: CASENT0055636, CASENT0055535, CASENT0055640, CASENT0055518, CASENT0055526, CASENT0055529, CASENT0055528, CASENT0055644, CASENT0055538, CASENT0055530, CASENT0055651, MCZ: CASENT0055519, MHNG: CASENT0055523, NHMB: CASENT0055638). 2 major workers and 2 workers with same data as holotype but collected by 30.xi.2004: BLF11107, 1 major worker and 1 worker (CASC: CASENT0110667), BLF11123, 1 major worker and 1 worker (CASC: CASENT0052827).

References