Camponotus madagascarensis Forel

Rakotonirina, Jean Claude, Csősz, Sándor & Fisher, Brian L., 2017, Taxonomic revision of the Malagasy Camponotus grandidieri and niveosetosus species groups (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) using qualitative and quantitative morphology, Zootaxa 4238 (2), pp. 203-245 : 233-235

Camponotus madagascarensis Forel stat. rev.

( Figures 4 A, 5A, 6A–B, 16, 24)

Camponotus niveosetosus madagascarensis Forel, 1886: 4 . Lectotype minor worker, present designation, Madagascar ( Grandidier ), AntWeb CASENT0101383 ( MHNG) [examined].

Subspecies of Camponotus niveosetosus: Dalla Torre, 1893: 245 ; Emery, 1896: 377, 1925: 129; Wheeler, 1922a: 1052; Bolton, 1995: 110. Status as species and description of queen: Santschi, 1926: 262. Combination in Camponotus (Myrmopiromis) : Wheeler, 1922a: 1052; Emery, 1925: 129.

[Note: Mayria madagascarensis Forel: 1886 : 4, (same publication, same page as Forel 1886 above), is a junior secondary homonym of Camponotus niveosetosus madagascarensis Forel, 1886: 4 ; replacement name Camponotus repens Forel, 1897: 187 )].

Diagnosis. Body color black; posterior portion of head, mesosoma dorsum, and lateral margin of propodeal declivity with randomly scattered, whitish, erect hairs; with head in full-face view, erect hairs lacking immediately behind lateral margin of clypeus, whitish erect hairs on posterior cephalic portion scattered laterally to level of anterior margin of eyes, median clypeal carina visible, eyes located in posterior fourth of head; in lateral view, mesosoma long and low; propodeal dorsum longer than declivitous face; numerous whitish erect hairs present on dorsum of body; petiolar node with two rows of hairs from its upper half to apex; transverse light strip on posterior margin of abdominal tergites large, width 1/5 the visible width of tergite.

Description. Minor worker. In full-face view head elongate and rectangular (CWb/CL: 0.76–0.89), lateral border straight and slightly diverging posteriorly and joining the more or less convex posterior margin in a rounded angle. Eyes protruding, located at posterior fourth of head (PoOC/CL: 0.24±0.02; 0.21–0.27) and occasionally breaking lateral outlines of head (CWb/CL: 0.76–0.89; CW/CL: 0.78–1.05). Clypeus truncate anteriorly, with bluntly rounded anterolateral angle; longitudinally median, blunt carina present; posterior margin feebly notched medially. Mandible subtriangular, apical margins with six teeth. Antennal scape long, its distal portion extending beyond posterior margin of head. In lateral view, mesosoma long and low (MPH/ML: 0.41±0.03, 0.35–0.47), with broadly convex dorsal outline, distinctly decreasing in height toward posteriormost portion of the straight propodeal dorsum. In dorsal view, metanotal groove obsolete, slightly impressed or characterized by a simple shiny line. Propodeal declivity slightly inclined posteriorly and somewhat concave toward junction to petiolar node. Propodeal spiracle opening elongate or slitlike. Petiolar node scalelike, anterior and posterior faces parallel to each other from base to upper half from level of spiracle and then anterior face posteriorly inclined to reach the dorsalmost portion of posterior margin. Tibial spurs of middle and hind legs pectinate. Transverse light strip on posterior margin of gastral tergites wide, maximum width roughly 1/5 of the visible width of second tergite.

Head and mesosoma finely and densely reticulate punctate. Gastral tergites finely coriarious or finely strigulate. Mandible imbricate with sparse piligerous punctures. Numerous whitish erect hairs randomly scattered along median portion to posterior fifth portion of head, where they are transversally scattered to the lateral cephalic margin down to the level of compound eyes; erect hairs absent immediately behind lateral clypeal margin. Hairs on anteromedian portion of head and gastral sternites thinner than those from near posterior cephalic margin to gastral tergites. Some hairs on petiolar node and posterior portion of propodeum at least twice as long as those on promesonotum. Pubescence on dorsum of body sparse, but denser on gastral tergites. Body color black and matte; legs basally reddish black to reddish brown, tarsus and antennal scape yellowish brown, and funiculus dark brown.

Major worker. Characteristics of minor worker, except: head much larger (CS: 2.44±0.24, 2.05–2.76; CWb/ CL: 0.89±0.03, 0.86–0.95); lateral margins either broadly convex or straight and abruptly converging towards base of mandibles. Mandibles more robust, apical margin more elongate and armed with seven to eight teeth. Median portion of clypeus elongate (ClyL/GPD: 0.89±0.04, 0.81–0.95; ClyL/CL: 0.32±0.00, 0.32–0.33), with more rounded anterolateral angle and more flat median portion. Eyes located more in front of head capsule (CWb/CL: 0.89±0.03, 0.86–0.95; CW/CL: 0.78±0.02, 0.75–0.82), level of their posterior margin at posterior third of head capsule (PoOc/CL: 0.30±0.01, 0.29–0.32). Antennal scape barely surpassing posterior cephalic margin. In dorsal view, metanotal groove impressed; metanotum not visible; in lateral view, propodeum feebly at lower level with respect to promesonotum. In lateral view, petiolar node higher and more flattened anteroposteriorly. Head capsule finely and densely reticulate punctate; sparse appressed hair arises from middle of two to five smaller punctures embedded in one larger puncture on lateral portion.

Discussion. See discussion under C. descarpentriesi .

The conventional taxonomic delimitation of C. madagascarensis is corroborated by the combination of the NC-clustering method and partitioning technique. Further, recognition of the species is corroborated by confirmatory LDA at 100% identification success and supported by shape PCA.

Distribution and biology. Camponotus madagascarensis is an endemic, widespread species of Madagascar. It is known to occupy western dry forest habitats, the north central and south central portions of eastern rainforests, savannah woodland of the central highland, and subhumid gallery forests of the southern high plateau. The species is absent from spiny bush and thicket in the southwest and southernmost portions of the island. The species is sympatric with C. grandidieri , C. mita , and C. voeltzkowii . Members of C. madagascarensis forage either terrestrially on the forest floor, through leaf mold and rotten wood, or on low vegetation. Nests are constructed not only under rocks and rootmats and litter on rocks or rotten logs, and in the ground, but also in dead tree stumps, dead branches, and twigs above the ground.

Additional material examined. MADAGASCAR: Madagascar ( MHNG) ; Province Antananarivo: Andohony I Non Protected Area , 22.62 km SW Antsirabe, -20.06784, 46.99068, 1451 m, savannah grassland, (A. Ravelomanana) ( CASC) ; Andohony IV Non Protected Area , 22.51 km SW Antsirabe, -20.06718, 46.99274, 1526 m, Uapaca woodland, (A. Ravelomanana) ( CASC) ; Kaloy , -18.59568, 47.65333, 1338 m, grassland, (B.L. Fisher et al.) ( CASC) ; Antsiranana, 7 km N Joffre Ville [camp 2 of Fisher ], -12.33333, 49.25, 360 m, in forest, (Irwin, Schlinger, Harin'Hala) ( CASC) ; Ambanja , -13.68268, 48.45245, 30 m, urban/garden, (B.L. Fisher et al.) ( CASC) ; Forêt d' Andavakoera, 21.4 km 75° ENE Ambilobe , 4.6 km 356° N Betsiaka, -13.11833, 49.23, 425 m, rainforest, (B.L. Fisher) ( CASC) ; Nosy Faly , -13.36435, 48.49137, 40 m, open secondary vegetation, (B.L. Fisher et al.) ( CASC) ; Réserve Analamerana, 28.4 km 99° Anivorano-Nord , -12.74667, 49.49483, 60 m, tropical dry forest, (B.L. Fisher) ( CASC) ; Réserve Spéciale d'Ambre , 3.5 km 235° SW Sakaramy, -12.46889, 49.24217, 325 m, cultivated land, (Fisher, Griswold et al.) ( CASC) ; Sakaramy , -12.44071, 49.23061, 350 m, grassland, (B.L. Fisher et al.) ( CASC) ; Taizambato , 22.9 km NE Ambanja, -13.5092, 48.56722, 16 m, coconut plantation, (B.L. Fisher et al.) ( CASC) ; Province Fianarantsoa: Ambalavao , -21.83267, 46.93867, 1020 m, urban/garden, (B.L. Fisher et al.) ( CASC) ; Ambalavao , -21.83267, 46.93867, 1020 m, urban/garden, (B.L. Fisher et al.) ( CASC) ; Amoron'i Mania Region, District of Ambositra , Italaviana Uapaca forest , 135 km SE of Antsirabe, -20.17333, 47.086, 1359 m, Uapaca forest , (Rin'ha, Mike) ( CASC) ; Ampanenitra Non Protected Area , 41.19km SE Ambalavao, -21.9652, 47.31001, 1010 m, savannah grassland, (A. Ravelomanana) ( CASC) ; Ampotoampoto II National Parc, 8.07 km NW Ilakaka , -22.62806, 45.18843, 919 m, savannah woodland, (A. Ravelomanana) ( CASC) ; Ampotoampoto IV National Parc, 7.83 km NW Ilakaka , -22.62944, 45.1912, 923 m, savannah woodland, (A. Ravelomanana) ( CASC) ; Antohatsahomby II Non Protected Area , 23.38 km NW Itremo, -20.55444, 46.58438, 1640 m, Uapaca woodland, (A. Ravelomanana) ( CASC) ; 1 km E of Isalo National Park Interpretive Center , Fianarantsoa Prov., - 22.62667, 45.35817, 885 m, dry wash, (R. Harin'Hala) ( CASC) ; Forêt d'Analalava , 29.6 km 280° W Ranohira, - 22.59167, 45.12833, 700 m, Uapaca woodland, (Fisher, Griswold et al.) ( CASC) ; Forêt d'Analalava , 29.6 km 280° W Ranohira, -22.59167, 45.12833, 700 m, tropical dry forest, (Fisher, Griswold et al.) ( CASC) ; Forêt d'Atsirakambiaty , 7.6 km 285° WNW Itremo, -20.59333, 46.56333, 1550 m, montane rainforest, (Fisher, Griswold et al.) ( CASC) ; Horombe Region, District of Ihosy , Isalo National Park , 900 m E of ANGAP Interpretation Center, -22.62667, 45.35817, 701 m, open area near stream, (Rin'ha, Mike) ( CASC) ; Horombe Region, District of Ihosy , Betapia ( Border of Fianarantsoa and Tulear ): 9 km SW of Ilakaka Saphir town, -22.62883, 45.36117, 1036 m, Uapaca forest , (Rin'ha, Mike) ( CASC) ; Isalo III National Parc , 12.02 km SW Ranohira, -22.61583, 45.31084, 870 m, Bismarckia woodland, (A. Ravelomanana) ( CASC) ; Manandriana III Non Protected Area , 27.25 km SW Ambositra, -20.73333, 47.09391, 1578 m, savannah grassland, (A. Ravelomanana) ( CASC) ; Parc National d'Andringitra, Plateau d'Andohariana, 35.9 km 205° Ambalavao , -22.15233, 46.89917, 2000 m, ericoid thicket, (B.L. Fisher et al.) ( CASC) ; Parc National d'Isalo, Ambovo Springs , 29.3 km 4° N Ranohira, -22.29833, 45.35167, 990 m, Uapaca woodland, (Fisher, Griswold et al.) ( CASC) ; Parc National d'Isalo, Sahanafa River , 29.2 km 351° N Ranohira, -22.31333, 45.29167, 500 m, gallery forest, (Fisher, Griswold et al.) ( CASC) ; stream area, 900 m E of Isalo National Park Interpretive Center , Fianarantsoa Prov., -22.62667, 45.35817, 750 m, open area near stream, (R. Harin'Hala) ( CASC) ; Tsaranoro, 32.8 km 230° Ambalavao , -22.08317, 46.774, 975 m, savannah woodland, (B.L. Fisher et al.) ( CASC) ; Province Mahajanga: Maevatanana, Le Moult ( NHMB) ; Ambolomaiky , 48.1 km SE Mahajanga, -15.8541, 46.74663, 77 m, disturbed dry forest, (B.L. Fisher et al.) ( CASC) ; Mahavavy River , 10.6 km 148° SSE Mitsinjo, -16.08167, 45.935, 50 m, tropical dry forest, (Fisher, Griswold et al.) ( CASC) ; Manerinerina , 76.6 km N Antsohihy, -14.10744, 48.11046, 247 m, disturbed forest, (B.L. Fisher et al.) ( CASC) ; Maropapango , 52.3 km N Antsohihy, -14.32043, 48.03058, 18 m, mangrove, (B.L. Fisher et al.) ( CASC) ; Parc National de Namoroka , 17.8 km 329° WNW Vilanandro, -16.37667, 45.32667, 100 m, tropical dry forest, (Fisher, Griswold et al.) ( CASC) ; Parc National de Namoroka , 9.8 km 300° WNW Vilanandro, -16.46667, 45.35, 140 m, tropical dry forest, (Fisher, Griswold et al.) ( CASC) ; Parc National Tsingy de Bemaraha, 10.6 km ESE 123° Antsalova , - 18.70944, 44.71817, 150 m, tropical dry forest on Tsingy, (Fisher, Griswold et al.) ( CASC) ; Réserve forestière Beanka , 50.7 km E Maintirano, -17.8873, 44.47113, 160 m, savannah woodland, (B.L. Fisher et al.) ( CASC) ; Réserve forestière Beanka , 50.7 km E Maintirano, -17.8873, 44.47113, 160 m, savannah shrubland, (B.L. Fisher et al.) ( CASC) ; Toamasina, Manakambahiny Atsinanana , -17.75, 48.71667 primary forest, (A. Pauly) ( CASC) ; Province Toliara: Forêt Vohidava 88.9 km N Amboasary, -24.24067, 46.28783, 500 m, spiny forest/dry forest transition, (B.L. Fisher et al.) ( CASC) ; Forêt Vohidava 89.2 km N Amboasary, -24.239, 46.28233, 850 m, tropical dry forest, (B.L. Fisher et al.) ( CASC) ; Ivahona , -23.45591, 46.17376, 820 m, village/park/garden, (B.L. Fisher et al.) ( CASC) ; Makay Mts. , -21.26215, 45.17004, 505 m, barren rock with sparse vegetation, burned grass, (B.L. Fisher et al.) ( CASC) ; Makay Mts. , -21.31334, 45.14525, 575 m, burned savannah, (B.L. Fisher et al.) ( CASC) ; Makay Mts. , -21.23343, 45.32913, 460 m, gallery forest with bamboo, (B.L. Fisher et al.) ( CASC) ; Makay Mts. , - 21.34109, 45.18054, 500 m, barren rock with sparse vegetation, burned grass, (B.L. Fisher et al.) ( CASC) ; Makay Mts. , -21.26215, 45.17004, 505 m, barren rock with sparse vegetation, burned grass, (B.L. Fisher et al.) ( CASC) ; Makay , -21.3133, 45.14788, 520 m, gallery forest, (J.M. Bichain) ( CASC) ; Southern Isoky-Vohimena Forest, - 22.68333, 44.83333, 730 m, (Sylvain) ( CASC) .

Figures

FIGURE 4. Body in dorsal view. A: C. madagascarensis (CASENT 0125551). B: C. grandidieri (CASENT 0066758).