''Vitsika'' is a
Malagasy genus
Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...
of
ants in the
subfamily
In biological classification, a subfamily (Latin: ', plural ') is an auxiliary (intermediate) taxonomic rank, next below family but more inclusive than genus. Standard nomenclature rules end subfamily botanical names with "-oideae", and zoologi ...
Myrmicinae
Myrmicinae is a subfamily of ants, with about 140 extant genera; their distribution is cosmopolitan. The pupae lack cocoons. Some species retain a functional sting. The petioles of Myrmicinae consist of two nodes. The nests are permanent and ...
. Described in 2014, the genus contains 14 species.
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
Polygyny (; from Neoclassical Greek πολυγυνία (); ) is the most common and accepted form of polygamy around the world, entailing the marriage of a man with several women.
Incidence
Polygyny is more widespread in Africa than in any ...
.
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.
Species
*''
Vitsika acclivitas''
Bolton & Fisher, 2014
*''
Vitsika astuta''
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 suspicax''
Bolton & Fisher, 2014
*''
Vitsika tenuis''
Bolton & Fisher, 2014
*''
Vitsika venustas''
Bolton & Fisher, 2014
References
*
Myrmicinae
Ant genera
Hymenoptera of Africa
Insects of Madagascar
Endemic fauna of Madagascar
{{myrmicinae-stub