Vitsika

Genus of ants From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Vitsika is a Malagasy genus of ants in the subfamily Myrmicinae. Described in 2014, the genus contains 14 species.[2] The genus Myrmisaraka described in the same publication was synonymized with this genus by Fisher & Bolton in 2016 after molecular data placed its two species, M. brevis and M. producta, nested inside Vitsika.[3]

Phylum:Arthropoda
Class:Insecta
Family:Formicidae
Quick facts Scientific classification, Type species ...
Vitsika
Vitsika crebra alate specimen
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Formicidae
Subfamily: Myrmicinae
Tribe: Crematogastrini
Alliance: Podomyrma genus group
Genus: Vitsika
Bolton & Fisher, 2014
Type species
Vitsika crebra
Bolton & Fisher, 2014
Diversity[1]
16 species
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Description

Queens are known for all species except V. obscura. The queens may be alate or ergatoid, or both forms may occur within a single species. It is possible that all species will be found to produce both ergatoids and alates when the species are better represented in collections. Two species (V. manifesta, V. suspicax) exhibit morphological intermediates between alate and ergatoid forms, and two species (V. acclivitas and V. crebra) appear to be polygynous.[2]

Worker-associated males are known for V. crebra, V. breviscapa and V. labes. In addition, the males of three other species, collected in isolation (in Malaise traps), are present in collections. Similar in size to the conspecific worker or slightly smaller.[2]

Species

  • Vitsika acclivitas Bolton & Fisher, 2014
  • Vitsika astuta Bolton & Fisher, 2014
  • Vitsika brevis (Bolton & Fisher, 2014)
  • Vitsika breviscapa Bolton & Fisher, 2014
  • Vitsika crebra Bolton & Fisher, 2014
  • Vitsika disjuncta Bolton & Fisher, 2014
  • Vitsika incisura Bolton & Fisher, 2014
  • Vitsika labes Bolton & Fisher, 2014
  • Vitsika manifesta Bolton & Fisher, 2014
  • Vitsika miranda Bolton & Fisher, 2014
  • Vitsika obscura Bolton & Fisher, 2014
  • Vitsika procera Bolton & Fisher, 2014
  • Vitsika producta (Bolton & Fisher, 2014)
  • Vitsika suspicax Bolton & Fisher, 2014
  • Vitsika tenuis Bolton & Fisher, 2014
  • Vitsika venustas Bolton & Fisher, 2014

References

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