Technomyrmex docens Fisher & Bolton

HOLOTYPE WORKER. Measurements: TL 2.5, HL 0.59, HW 0.52, SL 0.56, PW 0.36, WL 0.80. Indices: CI 88, SI 108, OI 23, EPI 62, DTI 140. Dorsum of head behind clypeus entirely lacks setae. Anterior clypeal margin evenly shallowly concave medially. Posterior margin of head in full-face view more or less transverse, shallowly concave when tilted forward slightly from full-face view. Eyes of moderate size and located well in front of the midlength; in full-face view their outer margins fail to touch the outline of the sides. Dorsal surfaces of mesosoma and declivity of propodeum entirely lack setae. Propodeal dorsum approximately flat in profile and meets the declivity through a blunted angle; straight - line length of dorsum distinctly greater than depth of declivity to the spiracle. Gastral tergites 1 - 2 each with a single pair of setae; gastral tergites 3 - 4 each with 2 - 3 pairs of setae present, those on the fourth tergite the longest on the gaster (see notes below). Head, mesosoma, petiole, gaster and legs yellow.

PARATYPIC AND OTHER WORKER MATERIAL. Measurements: TL 2.4 - 2.7, HL 0.58 - 0.64, HW 0.52 - 0.56, SL 0.56 - 0.60, PW 0.34 - 0.37, WL 0.77 - 0.86 (15 measured). Indices: CI 87 - 91, SI 104 - 109, OI 23 - 25, EPI 62 - 69, DTI 140 - 149. As holotype but degree of concavity of posterior margin of head is variable, from more or less transverse to shallowly concave medially. The number of gastral setae is variable. Often no setae (or their pits) can be detected on gastral tergite 1 and sometimes the same applies to tergite 2. Gastral tergite 3 always has at least 1 distinct pair (usually 2) and tergite 4 always has 2 - 3 pairs, with very distinct pits. Some of this may be the result of abrasion but most appears to be natural variation. The specimens from Andranobe mentioned below (2 workers only) have two distinct pairs of setae on the second gastral tergite and a less concave median clypeal margin than is seen in most of the type - series.

Holotype worker, Madagascar: Prov. Antsiranana, Ampasindava, Ambilanivy, 3.9 km. 181° S Ambaliha, 600 m., 13°48'S, 48°10'E, 4 - 9.iii.2001, ex dead twig above ground, rainforest, CASENT 0439766 - 3290 (B.L. Fisher et al.) (CASC). Paratypes. 9 workers with same data but CASENT numbers 0439761 - 3273, 0439762 - 3273, 0439764 - 3290, 0439767 - 3290, 0439768 - 3290 (CASC).

T. docens seems closest related to the similar African species parviflavus, but the latter (p. 31) has much larger eyes (OI 33 - 37) and longer scapes (SI 110 - 126), and always lacks setae on gastral tergites I - 3. Also, the propodeal dorsal length of parviflavus is less than the depth of the declivity to the spiracle.

The only other species on Madagascar that is known to lack setae on the entire dorsum of the head behind the clypeus is voeltzkowi , but in that species the clypeus has a long narrow median incision, eyes that are located more posteriorly (EPI 80 - 100) and a third gastral tergite that lacks setae.

T. docens produces ergatoid queens but worker - queen intercastes are apparently not developed, at least, none has been seen; also, no alate queens are present in the material examined.

NON-PARATYPIC MATERIAL EXAMINED

Madagascar: Prov. Antsiranana, Ampasindava, Ambilanivy, Ambaliha (Fisher et al.) [three series with exactly the same data as the type - series but some "beating low vegetation", some "sifted litter" and a few "pitfall trap"; all may have their origin in a single colony]; Prov. Toamasina, P.N. Mananara-Nord (Fisher et al.); SSE Ambanizana, Andranobe (B.L. Fisher); 19 km. ESE Maroantsetra (P.S. Ward).