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Species: Proceratium google   Fisher, 2005 

Classification:
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Taxonomic History (provided by Barry Bolton, 2023)

Proceratium google Fisher, 2005 PDF: 663, figs. 14-17 (w.) MADAGASCAR. Malagasy. Primary type information: Type-material: holotype worker. Type-locality: Madagascar: Prov. Antsiranana, 11.0 km. WSW Befingotra, Rés. Spéciale Anjanaharibé-Sud, 14°45’S, 49°27’E, 1565 m., 16.xi.1994, BLF1232(6), CASENT0100367, sifted litter, montane rainforest (B.L. Fisher). Type-depository: CASC. Type-specimen: CASENT0100367. Secondary type information: Paratype-material: 4 paratype workers. Paratype-locality: 2 paratype workers with same data as holotype, 1 paratype worker 4.2 km. WSW Befingotra, Rés. Spéciale Anjanaharibé-Sud, 14°45’S, 49°28’E, 1280 m., 5.xi.1994, 1 worker as last but 1200 m., 9.xi.1994. Paratype-depositories: BMNH, CASC, MCZC. Paratype-specimen: CASENT0100368, CASENT0100369, CASENT0100370, CASENT0100371. AntCat AntWiki HOL
// Distribution

Distribution:

  Geographic regions (According to curated Geolocale/Taxon lists):
    Africa: Madagascar
  Biogeographic regions (According to curated Bioregion/Taxon lists):
    Malagasy

Taxonomic Treatment (provided by Plazi)

Treatment Citation: Fisher, B. L., 2005, A new species of Discothyrea Roger from Mauritius and a New species of Proceratium Roger from Madagascar (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)., Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences 56, pp. 657-667

Proceratium google FisherHNS, sp. nov.

Figs. 14 - 17.

Type Material. - Holotype: Worker. Madagascar: Antsiranana, 11.0 km WSW Befingotra, Reserve Speciale Anjanaharibe-Sud, 14 ° 45 & # 8242; S, 049 ° 27 & # 8242; E, 1565 m, 16 Nov 1994 (coll. B. L. Fisher) sifted litter, montane rainforest, Collection code: BLF 1232 (6) - CASENT 0100367, (CASC) Paratypes: 2 workers with same data as holotype but with specimen codes CASENT 010068 (BMNH), CASENT 0100369 (MCZC); 1 worker 9.2 km WSW Befingotra, Reserve Speciale Anjanaharibe-Sud, 14 ° 45 & # 8242; S, 049 ° 28 & # 8242; E, 1280 m, 5 Nov 1994 (coll. B. L. Fisher), CASENT 0100370; (CASC); and 1 worker same as latter but collected at 1200 m on 9 Nov 1994, CASENT 0100371 (CASC).

Diagnosis. - The following character combination differentiates P. googleHNS from all its con- geners: abdominal segment IV tergite evenly rounded posteriorly, without concave impression near apex and not hypertrophied; truncate median clypeal lobe; low nodiform petiole without peduncle but with blunt anteroventral tooth; fore tibia with a basal spine, frontal carinae separate and diverg- ing posteriorly; posterior dorsum of mesosoma and propodeal spines granulate-foveolate. P. googleHNS is easily distinguished from P. diplopyxHNS, the only other described ProceratiumHNS from Madagascar, by the shape of the tergite of the abdominal segment IV. In P. diplopyxHNS, the tergite is with a deep concave notch near apex.

Etymology. - Named in recognition of the support from the Google company. I hope that Google will continue applying its talent to serve data relevant to the biodiversity community, con- servation planners, and the general public. By creating a “ Zoogle, ” Google could help achieve free and democratic access to taxonomic and biodiversity data on species. P. googleHNS is also suspected to be a specialist egg predator of spiders, which is also why this ant is aptly named after Google - for the ability to hunt down obscure prey. The specific name is an arbitrary combination, to be treat- ed as a noun in apposition.

Worker description. - Form of head, mandibles, and body as shown in Figures 14 - 17. In full-face view, posterior margin of head rounded, not concave; sides of head more or less straight medially; in profile, dorsal margin marginate. Mandible with 4 teeth. Palpal formula 4, 3. Antennae 12 - segmented, scape does not reach posterior margin of head. Median clypeal lobe raised and notched medially. Eye a single, large, clear, convex facet that projects beyond the margin of the head in full-face view.

Mesosoma in dorsal view pear-shaped, broader across pronotum than across propodeum. Metanotal grove unmarked. Propodeal spines granulate-tuberculate; declivitous face of propodeum concave, ending basally with an upturned tooth. Petiole longer than wide; subpetiolar process forming an obtuse tooth at midlength. Tibial spur present on each leg. Claws on all legs slender, simple.

Abdominal segment IV tergum evenly rounded posteriorly, without concave impression near apex.

Head, mesosoma, petiole, and abdominal segment III with dense granulate-foveolate sculp- ture. In contrast, abdominal segment IV predominantly smooth and shiny but with sparse foveae. Declivitous face of propodeum shiny smooth.

Body covered with abundant pilosity consisting of fine, curved, tapered, yellow-white setae.

Queen, male and larvae unknown.

Distribution. - Known only from an isolated mountain in Northeastern Madagascar, Reserve Speciale Anjanaharibe-Sud, 14 ° 45 & # 8242; S, 049 ° 27 & # 8242; E, collected at an elevation of 1565 m. Collections in nearby mountains such as Marojejy did not locate any specimens of this species.

Specimen Habitat Summary

Found most commonly in these habitats: 9 times found in montane rainforest, 4 times found in rainforest.

Found most commonly in these microhabitats: 9 times sifted litter (leaf mold, rotten wood), 2 times ex rotten log, 1 times ground nest.

Collected most commonly using these methods: 5 times MW 50 sample transect, 5m, 1 times MW 75 sample transect, 5,10m, 2 times MW 25 sample transect, 5m, 1 times MW 26 sample transect, 5m, 1 times pitfall trap, PF 50 tube sample transect, 5m.

Elevations: collected from 5 - 1575 meters, 1045 meters average

Collect Date Range: collected between 1993-11-13 00:00:00.0 and 2003-11-22 00:00:00.0

Type specimens: Holotype of Proceratium google: casent0100367



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