Technomyrmex anterops Fisher & Bolton

HOLOTYPE WORKER. Measurements: TL 4.1, HL 0.96, HW 0.90, SL 0.92, PW 0.58, WL 1.32. Indices: CI 94, SI 102, OI 22, EPI 53, DTI 150. Frontal carina with 2 setae: in profile the anterior above the torulus, the posterior at about the level of the anterior margin of the eye. Dorsum of head posterior to this with 2 - 3 pairs of setae: 1 - 2 short pairs to about the level of the posterior margin of the eye and 1 longer pair located just over half way between level of posterior margin of eye and posterior margin of head. No setae on the posterior margin and all setae on dorsum are shorter than maximum diameter of eye. Posterior margin of head concave in full-face view and anterior clypeal margin with a small shallow median indentation. Sides of head convex behind the eyes, more or less straight and convergent anteriorly in front of the eyes. Eyes located far in front of midlength, EPI 53; outer margin of eye does not break the outline of the side. Number of setal pairs on mesosoma (all shorter than maximum diameter of eye): pronotum 3; mesonotum 1 (minute); propodeal dorsum 0; lateral margins of propodeal declivity 1 - 2, located directly behind the spiracle, none arise above the level of the spiracle. With mesosoma in profile the mesonotal outline forms a long shallow slope, without a distinct step or angle in the outline that defines conspicuous dorsal and declivitous faces. Dorsum of propodeum long in profile, shallowly convex and meeting the declivity through a broadly rounded curve; straight - line length of dorsum greater than depth of declivity to spiracle and the spiracle distinctly inset from the margin of the declivity. Gastral tergites 1 - 4 each with sparse very short setae; those on the first and second tergites distinctly less than half the maximum diameter of the eye. Head reddish brown; mesosoma lighter, yellowish brown; gaster dark brown to blackish brown. Petiole pale, about the same colour as the hind coxae. Legs lighter than mesosoma, dull yellow to light brownish yellow; middle and hind tarsi about the same colour as the tibiae.

PARATYP1C AND OTHER WORKER MATERIAL. Measurements: TL 3.3 - 4.2, HL 0.84 - 0.96, HW 0.72 - 0.90, SL 0.82 - 1.00, PW 0.47 - 0.58, WL 1.16 - 1.36 (10 measured). Indices: CI 86 - 95, SI 100 - 116, OI 22 - 25, EPI 50 - 60, DTI 150 - 162. As holotype but in the smallest paratype (CASENT0097892) the posterior margin of the head is more deeply impressed, the sides of the head in front of the eyes are shallowly concave and the outer margins of the eyes just touch the outline of the sides in full-face view. Some paratypes lack full adult colour and are lighter everywhere than the holotype. The pronotal dorsum has 2 - 4 pairs of short setae and the minute pair of setae on the mesonotum are easily lost by abrasion. Head shape varies with size; smaller workers generally have the sides behind the eyes less strongly convex than larger workers.

Holotype worker, Madagascar: Fianarantsoa Prov., Ranomafana N.P., Talatakely, 900 m., 21°14.9'S, 47°25.5'E, 14.iv.1998, CASENT0097891, ANTL2602 (J. Schweikert) (CASC).

Paratypes. 4 workers with same data but CASENT numbers 0097888, 0097889, 0097890, 0097892 (CASC).

This conspicuous, size - variable and distinctively coloured species makes carton nests on foliage. Apart from this its size, anteriorly located eyes, broadly rounded propodeum where the dorsum curves evenly into the declivity and very short gastral setae combine to make this species very distinct among the Malagasy Technomyrmex .

The nest series from Andrasibe collected by Ward also contains a few alate queens. The total number of specimens known is small, but no worker - queen intercastes have been seen.

NON-PARATYPIC MATERIAL EXAMINED

Madagascar: Prov. Antsiranana, For. Ambanitaza (B.L. Fisher); Antsiranana, Sakalava Beach (R. Harin'Hala); Prov. Toamasina, For. Ambatovy (B.L. Fisher); 8 km. ESE Andrasibe (= Perinet) (P.S. Ward); Res. Perinet - Analamazoatra (D.M. Olson).