Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Psyche
Volume 2012, Article ID 926089, 6 pages
doi:10.1155/2012/926089
Research Article
Tatuidris kapasi sp. nov.: A New Armadillo Ant from
French Guiana (Formicidae: Agroecomyrmecinae)
Sébastien Lacau,1, 2, 3 Sarah Groc,4 Alain Dejean,4, 5
Muriel L. de Oliveira,1, 3, 6 and Jacques H. C. Delabie3, 6
1
Laboratório de Biossistemática Animal, Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia, UESB/DEBI, 45700-000 Itapetinga, BA, Brazil
Systématique & Evolution, UMR 5202 CNRS-MNHN, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, 75005 Paris, France
3
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Zoologia, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, UESC/DCB, 45662-000 Ilhéus, BA, Brazil
4
Écologie des Forêts de Guyane, UMR-CNRS 8172 (UMR EcoFoG), Campus Agronomique, BP 319,
97379 Kourou Cedex, French Guiana
5
Université de Toulouse, UPS (Ecolab), 118 Route de Narbonne, 31062 Toulouse Cedex 9, France
6 Laboratório de Mirmecologia, CEPLAC/CEPEC/SECEN, CP 07, km 22, Rodovia, Ilhéus-Itabuna, 45600-970 Itabuna, BA, Brazil
2 Département
Correspondence should be addressed to Sébastien Lacau, slacau@cepec.gov.br
Received 11 September 2011; Revised 3 November 2011; Accepted 21 November 2011
Academic Editor: Fernando Fernández
Copyright © 2012 Sébastien Lacau et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution
License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly
cited.
Tatuidris kapasi sp. nov. (Formicidae: Agroecomyrmecinae), the second known species of “armadillo ant”, is described after a
remarkable specimen collected in French Guiana. This species can be easily distinguished from Tatuidris tatusia by characters
related to the shape of the mesosoma and petiole as well as to the pilosity, the sculpture, and the color.
1. Introduction
As a result of the constant acquisition of new morphological
and molecular data, combined with a big increase in the
collection of biological material, the last decades have seen
a true revolution in ant systematics and phylogeny [1, 2]. In
spite of this, some rare genera of ants still remain unusually
mysterious. A long time after their original description, they
continue to reveal a low taxonomical diversity and are rarely
collected in the field. Frequently, their phylogenetic relationships also remain poorly understood. The Neotropical genus
Tatuidris (Formicidae: Agroecomyrmecinae) was described
by Brown and Kempf in the 1967 issue of Psyche [3] after a
peculiar new species collected in El Salvador. Until now, this
genus has remained monotypic and very isolated in the Family Formicidae. The type species, Tatuidris tatusia, is known
only from the very distinctive morphology of the worker that
combines some primitive and derived characters, while its
biology is completely unknown [4]. In addition, morphological and molecular studies have caused some authors to hold
differing points of view regarding the phylogenetic position
of Tatuidris in the family Formicidae. Thus, based on its
morphology, the genus was initially placed in the subfamily
Myrmicinae [3], within the tribe Agroecomyrmecini. The
genus was then transferred to the Agroecomyrmecinae [5],
a new subfamily proposed by Bolton, who has suggested
that this taxon might be the sister group to all Myrmicinae.
More recently, the genus was again combined in the Myrmicinae [6] and then returned to the Agroecomyrmecinae
as a poneroid [7] and more latterly as a poneromorph [8].
However, based on morphological characters, in a very recent
paper, Keller [9] corroborated Bolton’s former proposal [5]
in considering that Tatuidris is the sister group to the Myrmicinae. Recently, some new molecular data have led other
authors to argument that Tatuidris may be the sister group to
the subfamily Paraponerinae in some rooted trees but placed
it next to Amblyoponinae in some other analyses [10–12].
In such a context, the search for new species of Tatuidris
and the study of their morphology represents an important
challenge for better understanding the phylogenetic relationships of this genus within the Formicidae. Here we report
the recent finding in French Guiana of a remarkable single
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specimen of Tatuidris that differs from T. tatusia in several
distinctive morphological characters, and this paper aims to
describe it.
2. Material and Methods
WL: Weber’s Length: diagonal length, measured in
lateral view, from the anterior margin of the pronotum (excluding the collar) to the posterior extremity
of the metapleural lobe.
PeNI: Petiole Node Index: (PeNW∗100/PeNL),
The microphotographs were made using the following
sequential process: the specimen was first filmed using a
video camera (Sony Full HD 1080 AVCHD, 10.2 Mp) mounted on a light microscope (Zeiss Jena), while the resolution
was continuously scanned from the top to the bottom of the
holotype specimen; the videos (in format.mts) were processed using the free software ImagGrab 5.0 (available at
http://paul.glagla.free.fr/imagegrab.htm) in order to extract
the sharpest images referable to differing focal points, and
composite pictures were then assembled using the free
software Combine ZM (available at http://www.hadleyweb
.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/index.htm). Finally, each optimum
microphotograph was improved using Adobe Element Photoshop software (version 6.0).
The terminology for the external morphology and the
surface sculpturing follows [13–15]. In the description and
the diagnosis of this new species, our terminology referring
to the pilosity describes the variation in size of the setae
observed in T. tatusia and Tatuidris kapasi sp. nov. Thus, we
recognize four setal types depending on their length: that is,
very short (about 0.016 mm), short (about 0.05 mm), intermediate (about 0.11 mm), and long (about 0.3 mm). Also,
the characters of the tribe and the genus are not mentioned
(for a complete summary of the taxonomic characters, see
[3, 5]).
Depository of the Holotype. The unique known specimen
of the taxon is deposited in the collection of the Laboratorio
de Mirmecologia at the Cocoa Research Center at CEPLAC
(Itabuna-BA, Brazil), referred to by the CPDC acronym
[16]. Comparative data for Tatuidris tatusia were obtained
from the literature [3] and direct observations on microphotographs of high-resolution available in AntWeb site [17].
PeL: Petiole Length: the maximum length of the
petiole in lateral view,
3. Results
Morphological examination of specimens was completed at
various magnifications using a light stereomicroscope Olympus SZX7. Morphometric measures were made with a Carl
Zeiss measuring microscope and recorded to the nearest
0.01 mm. All measurements are given in millimeters, using
the following definitions and abbreviations:
CI: Cephalic Index: HW∗100/HL,
EL: Eye Length: the maximum diameter of the eye,
GL: Gaster length: the length of the gaster in lateral
view from the anteriormost point of first gastral
segment (fourth abdominal segment) to the posterior
most point (sting omitted),
HFL: Hind Femur Length: maximum length of hind
femur in anterior view,
HL: Head Length: the length of the head proper,
excluding the mandibles; measured in full-face view
from the midpoint of the anterior clypeal margin to
a line drawn across the posterior margin from its
highest points,
HW: Head Width: the maximum width of the head
in full face view,
LA7: Length of Antennal segment 7: maximum
length of the seventh (apical) antennal segment,
ML: Mandible Length: length of a mandible measured in ventral view from its basal articulation to its
apex,
PeNL: Petiolar Node Length: the maximum length of
the petiole node in dorsal view,
PeNW: Petiolar Node Width: the maximum width of
the petiole node in dorsal view,
PpL: Postpetiole Length: the maximum postpetiole
length in lateral view,
PpNL: Postpetiolar Node Length: the maximum
length of the postpetiole node in dorsal view,
PpNW: Postpetiolar Node Width: the maximum
width of the postpetiole node in dorsal view,
PrW: Pronotum Width: the maximum width of the
pronotum in dorsal view,
PrpW: Propodeum Width: the maximum width
between the propodeum angles as seen in dorsal view,
SL: Scape Length: the maximum straight line of the
antennal scape, excluding the condylar bulb,
TL: Total Length (HL + ML + WL + PL + PPL + GL),
3.1. Tatuidris kapasi Lacau and Groc: New Species. See
Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.
3.2. Type Material. Holotype worker: specimen deposited at
CPDC and labeled “Guyane Française, Montagne de Kaw,
N04◦ 38.21′ /W052◦ 17.36′ , Alt. 260 m., ix.2008, Winkler trap,
Col. S. Groc, A. Dejean, and B. Corbara”.
3.3. Etymology. “kapasi” is the Wayanas’ Amerindian
(French Guiana, Surinam, and Brazil) word for “armadillo”, a
mammal belonging to the Order Cingulata. The generic and
specific names of the first described species [6] referred to the
same animal group.
3.4. Diagnosis. The worker of Tatuidris kapasi exhibits all the
diagnostic characters of the tribe Agroecomyrmecini and the
genus Tatuidris. It differs from the worker of T. tatusia in
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3
0.5 mm
0.2 mm
Figure 1: Tatuidris kapasi: holotype worker. Habitus: left lateral
view.
0.2 mm
Figure 2: Tatuidris kapasi: holotype worker. Head: full-face view.
0.2 mm
Figure 3: Tatuidris kapasi: holotype worker. Detail of head: left side
view.
Figure 4: Tatuidris kapasi: holotype worker. Mesosoma: dorsal
view.
the following characters (states for T. tatusia indicated in
brackets): occipital border a little more concave (nearly
straight); about 5-6 facets in each eye (about 10 facets); clypeus with the free margin medially straight and laterally
concave (free margin concave overall); pronotum with the
ventral sector of lateral faces smooth and shining (with
longitudinal rugulae); dorsum of mesosoma mostly sculptured with concentric rugulae and carinulae (mostly smooth
and shining); mesosoma as seen from above with lateral
margins moderately converging backward (Propodeum
width/Pronotum width = 0.55) (lateral margins more converging backward (Propodeum width/Pronotum width =
0.45)); mesopleuron with anterior crest wider and ventrally
truncated (crest narrower and not truncated); mesopleuron
smooth and shining, except for punctuations and areolae on its ventral margin (with longitudinal rugulae and
areolations); metapleuron punctate and areolate, and with
longitudinal rugulae around the metapleural gland orifice
(metapleuron with areolations); the bulla of the metapleural
gland (visible through the integument when observed in
profile), forming a ring whose posterodorsal margin is fused
with the posterolateral margin of the propodeum (the bulla
of the metapleural gland forming a ring that is distinctly
separated from the posterolateral margin of propodeum);
propodeal declivity less concave in lateral view (more concave); propodeal spiracle separated from declivitous margin
of propodeum by two diameters (separated by no more than
one diameter); viewed dorsally, petiolar node twice as wide as
long (viewed dorsally, shape of petiolar node subrectangular,
the node no more than about 1.5 times as wide as long);
viewed dorsally, shape of postpetiolar node rectangular, and
not wider behind than in front (viewed dorsally, shape of
postpetiolar node subrectangular, and a little wider behind
than in front); and dorsum of the petiolar and postpetiolar
nodes with superficial concentric rugulae and carinulae
(smooth and shining). Moreover, the pilosity is markedly
more dense all over the body (more scattered) and does not
include any long suberect setae (long suberect setae present).
4
Psyche
of the sculpture and pilosity as well as the body color of this
new species are described hereafter.
0.1 mm
Figure 5: Tatuidris kapasi, holotype worker. Detail of petiole and
postpetiole, left lateral view.
Sculpture. It includes head dorsum wholly smooth and shining, except for occipital sector covered with transverse carinulae; outer surface of mandibles smooth and shining
except for longitudinal superficial striae on ventral (external)
margin; ventrolateral sector of the head longitudinally carinulate; antennal scape shagreened and superficially areolate;
pronotum ventrolaterally smooth and shining; dorsum of
mesosoma with concentric rugulae and carinulae; mesopleuron smooth and shining except for punctuations and
areolae on ventral margin; metapleuron with punctuations
and areolae and longitudinal rugulae around the metapleural
gland orifice; propodeal declivity mostly smooth and shining
with fine striae and reticulate; petiolar and postpetiolar
nodes laterally finely longitudinally carinulate.
Pilosity. It includes dorsum of head, mesosoma, petiole, and
postpetiole with abundant setae, all fine, flexuous, and decumbent, varying in size and distribution as follows: some
very short and relatively dense (i.e., those on clypeus and
the outer surface of mandibles); others short and dense
(those on dorsum of head, clypeus, mesosoma, petiolar, and
postpetiolar nodes, and gaster); and others intermediate and
dense (namely, setae on dorsum of head, mesosoma, petiolar,
and postpetiolar nodes, dorsum of gaster and tibia). No long
setae present.
0.2 mm
Figure 6: Tatuidris kapasi, holotype worker. Detail of petiole and
postpetiole, dorsal view.
Color. Body brownish-ferruginous, thick margins often appearing more blackish; legs brownish-yellowish.
Gyne and Male. They are unknown.
Furthermore, despite the fact that T. kapasi is known only
by a single specimen and T. tatusia by two specimens formally described, the following comparative measurements
suggest an overall size differential between the two species:
the head shape is a little wider in T. kapasi (CI: 125,78)
than in T. tatusia (CI: 118,2 ± 1.56, min-max: 117.07–119.28
(n = 2)), the scape is slightly shorter in T. kapasi (SL 0,32)
than in T. tatusia (SL 0,4 (n = 1)), the pronotum is narrower
in T. kapasi (PrW 0,64) than in T. tatusia (PrW 0,79 (n = 1)),
and the shape of the petiole node in dorsal view is more
noticeably rectangular in T. kapasi (PeNI 200) than in T.
tatusia (PeNI 153.64 (n = 1)).
4. Description
Worker. Measurements (Holotype): TL 3.42, CI 125.80, EL
0.05, GL 1.00, HFL 0.50, HL 0.70, HW 0.93, LA7 0.27, ML
0.39, PeL 0.21, PeNI 200, PeNL 0.18, PeNW 0.36, PpL 0.28,
PpNL 0.25, PpNW 0.45, PrW 0.64, SL 0.32, WL 0.80.
Except for the diagnostic characters, the external morphology of Tatusia kapasi sp. nov. is very similar to that of T.
tatusia. In our discussion, the shared characters are regarded
by ourselves as sufficient for the two species to be placed
within the same genus. The spatial distribution and patterns
Geographic Range. This new species is known only from the
type locality in French Guiana, situated at 260 m altitude in
the Kaw Mountains, on a side exposed to the trade winds,
near a great cave sheltering a big bat community. The local
vegetation is typical of Amazonian lowland rainforest that
is never flooded. New records of this species will probably
occur in other localities of the Guiana Shield in the near
future. However, the fact that no other specimen of Tatuidris
has been recorded yet in the recent studies on ant biodiversity
in the Guiana Shield, even using Winkler traps or other
methods at a large scale [18, 19], suggests that this genus is
genuinely rare in the Guianas, its members possibly spatially
separated in small, isolated populations.
Biology. The biology of this species is unknown, but the
fact that the type specimen was found in a leaf-litter sample, using a Winkler trap, suggests that it nests in some
microhabitats of the leaf-litter or more or less deeply in the
soil. It is also noteworthy that the leaf-litter sample (surface
of 1 m2 ) in which T. kapasi was caught was characterized
by a very high specific richness: a total of 20 other ant
species belonging to 12 genera was recorded (Groc et al.,
unpublished information). Such richness in a unique leaflitter sample is uncommon in Neotropical forests [19].
Psyche
5. Comments and Discussion
The description of this new species of Tatuidris is an important event for Myrmecology, since the genus has remained
monotypic for over 40 years. However, as noted by Longino
[4], the advent of litter sifting and Winkler extraction as a
popular method of ant collecting in the last decade led to
the discovery of new species belonging to genera previously
considered as rare and poorly diversified. This is the case
for the new species here described. This genus has been
revealed to be not as rare as it was believed to be since several
new specimens were recently collected in various Neotropical countries: Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador,
Ecuador, French Guiana, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, and
Peru (see specimens imaged on the Websites: Ants of Costa
Rica [4] and AntWeb [17]). In this context, D. Donoso is
currently performing a first revision of this genus based on
the new material deposited in myrmecological collections in
the world.
While T. kapasi exhibits a distinct morphology from that
of T. tatusia, it possesses all the diagnostic characters of Agroecomyrmecinae and Agroecomyrmecini. The next step will
consist in studying the whole biology of these ants for which
literature is particularly scarce. Tatuidris kapasi has peculiar
mandibular brushes and a powerful elongated sting similar
to that of T. tatusia. Brown and Kempf suggested that such
adaptations indicates that armadillo ants might be specialist
predators of active or slippery arthropod prey [3]. Also, we
note that the flat pencil of stiff, curved yellow setae borne
at the extensor angle on the forelegs, an apomorphy of this
genus, may be used by these ants in order to clean the
massive brush of heavy setae present along the inner surface
near the masticatory margin of the mandible, through a
movement directed forward. Thus, these characters could
potentially represent an adaptation to feed on prey bearing
a defensive pilosity. Moreover, the morphology of the gyne
and the male of Tatuidris has never been described. However,
microphotographs of a gyne and a male, together winged, are
offered in the site Antweb, suggesting that a normal sexual
reproduction by swarming occurs in this genus.
Acknowledgments
The authors thank Dr. Brian Heterick for his kind help
in reviewing the English of this manuscript, and Bruno
Corbara and Olivier Roux for field assistance. Financial
support for this study was provided by (1) the Programme
Amazonie II of the French CNRS (project 2ID), (2) the
Programme Convergence 2007–2013, Region Guyane from
the European Community (project DEGA), (3) the FPVI
European-funded Integrated Infrastructure Initiative Grant
SYNTHESYS (S. Groc), (4) the PRONEX Program FAPESB/
CNPq (PNX0011/2009, Brazil), and (5) the Program CAPES/
CNPq/MCT (PROTAX 52/2010, Brazil). J. H. C. Delabie
acknowledges his research grant from CNPq. In accordance
with Section 8.6 of the ICZN’s International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, printed copies of the edition of Psyche
containing this article are deposited at the following six publicly accessible libraries: Green Library (Stanford University),
5
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Library—ECORC (Agriculture
& Agri-Food Canada), Library—Bibliotheek (Royal Belgium
Institute of Natural Sciences), Koebenhavns Universitetsbibliotek, University of Hawaii Library.
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