ASIAN
MYRMECOLOGY
Image: François Brassard
DOI: 10.20362/am.017005
Asian Myrmecology 17: 017005 (1-6)
article first published online: 13/December/2024
A new species of the genus Tapinoma Foerster, 1850 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from the Western Ghats, India
MOHAMMAD ABDUS SHAKUR1*, PAUL MANGALY2, PRONOY BAIDYA3 & SUMANTA BAGCHI4
Abstract:
Tapinoma onaele sp. nov. from the Kodagu region of the Western Ghats, India, is described as the fourth species in the Tapinoma lugubre species group. This species is morphologically close to Tapinoma himalaicum Bharti et al., 2013, as both have long scapes and deep and concaveanteromedial clypeal margins. However, it differs from T. himalaicum in having a darker and brownish body, contrasting with a darker gaster, longer scapes, and the dorsal surface of the propodeum being convex and rising above the mesonotum. An identification key for workers of the Tapinoma lugubre species group is provided. Tapinoma onaele sp. nov. is crepuscular and nocturnal, ground-nesting, and forages in the leaf litter. The species was observed carrying seeds, insects, and tending scale insects (Hemiptera), suggesting it is generalist like other members of Tapinoma.
Keywords:
Dolichoderinae, new species, Coffee Plantations, Kodagu, Western Ghats
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MOHAMMAD ABDUS SHAKUR1*, PAUL MANGALY2, PRONOY BAIDYA3 & SUMANTA BAGCHI4
Abstract:
Tapinoma onaele sp. nov. from the Kodagu region of the Western Ghats, India, is described as the fourth species in the Tapinoma lugubre species group. This species is morphologically close to Tapinoma himalaicum Bharti et al., 2013, as both have long scapes and deep and concaveanteromedial clypeal margins. However, it differs from T. himalaicum in having a darker and brownish body, contrasting with a darker gaster, longer scapes, and the dorsal surface of the propodeum being convex and rising above the mesonotum. An identification key for workers of the Tapinoma lugubre species group is provided. Tapinoma onaele sp. nov. is crepuscular and nocturnal, ground-nesting, and forages in the leaf litter. The species was observed carrying seeds, insects, and tending scale insects (Hemiptera), suggesting it is generalist like other members of Tapinoma.
Keywords:
Dolichoderinae, new species, Coffee Plantations, Kodagu, Western Ghats
Get PDF (1.8 MB) :
1Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, India
2Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
3St. Joseph’s University, Bangalore, India
4Arannya Environment Research Organisation, Sattari, Goa, India
*Corresponding author: abdusshakur.mohammad@gmail.com
