Corresponding author: Eli M. Sarnat (
Academic editor: Brian Fisher
Fiji is the eastern range limit for
Both Fijian species produce a discrete ergatoid queen caste that is intermediate between a worker and an alate queen. Ergatoid queens in the genus have also been reported for
This taxonomic treatment of
All of the material examined in this study was collected from 2002–2007, including specimens collected as part of the Fiji Terrestrial Arthropod Survey (
External morphological characters were quantified and are reported as lengths or indices. Measurements were made with a stereomicroscope at 40x magnification using a dual-axis stage micrometer wired to digital readouts. Digital color specimen photographs were taken using the Auto-Montage software package (Syncroscopy) in combination with a JVC KY-F7U digital camera mounted on a Leica MZ16 dissecting scope, and the software package Helicon Focus in combination with a Leica DFC450 digital camera mounted on a Leica M205C dissecting scope. Vector illustrations were made in Adobe Illustrator by tracing specimen photographs.
Morphometric measurements were recorded in thousandths of millimetres, but are reported here to the nearest hundredth as a range from minimum to maximum across all measured specimens. Specimens for measurements were chosen to reflect potential morphological variation across the full geographic range. The number of specimens from which measurements were taken for a given caste is referred to by
Cephalic Index: HW/HL × 100.
Maximum measureable eye length.
Maximum length of the head in full-face view measured longitudinally from the midpoint of the posterior head margin to the apex of the median tooth of the anterior clypeal margin.
Maximum width of the head in full-face view, excluding the eyes.
Maximum width of the head in full-face view, including the eyes. This measurement is used only for the male.
Mesosomal length measured in lateral view from the anteriormost point of the pronotum to the apex of the propodeal lobe. Equal to ‘Alitrunk Length’ in
Maximum height of the petiole measured in lateral view as a straight line running from the most ventral to the most dorsal surface of the petiolar node, using tangential lines where required.
Petiole Index: PeL/PeH × 100.
Maximum length of petiole. For workers, alate queens and ergatoid queens the distance from the posterior face to the anterior face of the petiolar node measured in lateral view. For males, the distance from the posterior face of the petiolar node to the junction with the mesosoma measured in lateral view.
Maximum height of the postpetiole measured in lateral view as a straight line running from the most ventral to the most dorsal surface of the postpetiolar node.
Postpetiole Index: PpL/PpH × 100.
Maximum length of the postpetiole measured in lateral view from the posterior face to the anterior face of the postpetiolar node.
Maximum width of the pronotum in dorsal view.
Scape Index: SL/HW × 100.
Length of the antennal scape, including the lamella encircling the base of the scape but excluding the basal condyle.
Total length of specimen from tip of mandible to tip of gaster: TL1 + TL2 + TL3 + ML. (Note: The measurements of TL do not include those individuals whose gasters are abnormally prolonged.) TL1: A line measured in lateral view from the apex of the closed mandibles to the midpoint of a straight line across the occipital margin. TL2: A line measured in lateral view from the posteriormost point of postpetiolar dorsum to the tip of the propodeal lobes. TL3: A line measured in lateral view from the anteriormost point to the posteriormost point of gaster.
Fiji, Lomaiviti Prov., Koro I., 2.7 km NW Nasau Village, footrack b/w Mt. Kuitarua & Nasau, 12.iii.2005, 465m,
Known distribution of
Conforming to the generic
Closely resembling the worker in the structure of mandibles, clypeus, petiole, postpetiole and gaster in addition to sculpture, color and pilosity. Head with a single well-defined depression in place of the median ocellus. Mesosoma in dorsal view with a promesonotal suture but lacking sclerites associated with alate queen. Mesonotum more convex. Propodeal spines either absent or reduced to acute angles. Dorsum of head covered with scattered to abundant weakly impressed foveolae and smaller shallow punctures. Dorsum of mesosoma similar to alate queen with one or two additional pairs of erect hairs than worker.
Conforming to the generic
Conforming to the generic
This new species is named for Prof. Kazuki Tsuji in honor of his extensive work on the social biology of
Despite being widely distributed across the Fijian archipelago, workers of
Conforming to the generic
Conforming to the generic
Like the worker of the species, which is discussed in
A puzzling taxonomic situation is presented by two alate queens from Gau occupying the extreme ends of the sculpture spectrum. Specimen CASENT0181910 lacks any distinct foveae on the head and mesosoma and is the least sculptured of the examined queens. Specimen CASENT0194557 is both exceptionally large (HW = 1.01 mm) and the mostly strongly sculptured of all examined Fijian
Specimen CASENT0194557 also has shorter antennal scapes relative to its head width than any other examined alate queens of
Antennal scape length (SL)