Crematogaster

Blaimer, Bonnie B., 2012, A subgeneric revision of Crematogaster and discussion of regional species-groups (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), Zootaxa 3482, pp. 47-67 : 56-57

i. Crematogaster ranavalonae- group

This group is equivalent to the former subgenus Oxygyne . A full diagnosis for this group was given in Blaimer (2012); main features are summarized below. Since then, one additional character (reduced palp formula) has been discovered.

1. Number of maxillary and labial palps reduced in workers: palp formula 3,3, 3,2 or 2,2 (versus 5,3 in other examined members of the genus).

2. In lateral view, median portion of clypeus more or less prominently convex and in fullface view medially protruding over mandibles.

3. Fronto-clypeal suture impressed, often anterior portion of frons (above suture) transversely concave.

4. Head usually rounded and equally long as wide or slightly wider than long.

5. Promesonotal suture often complete and distinct.

6. Subpetiolar process absent.

7. Postpetiole with median impression.

The C. ranavalonae -group is a strongly supported and highly divergent lineage within the global Crematogaster clade. Relationships to other clades however are poorly resolved ( Fig. 2 ). Members of this group are: Crematogaster agnetis Forel , C. marthae Forel , C. ranavalonae Forel , C. breviventris Santschi , C. donisthorpei Santschi , C. magitae Forel , C. margaritae Emery , C. oscaris Forel , C. santschii Forel , C. stadelmanni Mayr , C. trautweini Viehmeyer , C. aberrans Forel , C. augusti Emery , C. butteli Forel , C. daisyi Forel , C. dalyi Forel , C. ebenina Forel , C. pia Forel , C. soror Forel , C. tumidula Emery , C. vandermeermohri Menozzi and C. meijerei Emery after Blaimer (2012).

Figures

FIGURE 2. Bayesian phylogeny of Crematogaster as reconstructed by Blaimer (in press); this analysis was based upon 3384 bp from five nuclear genes. Outgroups have been pruned. Red circles indicate PP = 1.0 and bootstrap> 94; blue squares indicate PP> 0.94 and bootstrap> 74; yellow circles indicate where bootstrap <74 and PP> 0.94, in these cases both values are shown. Clade labels indicate I: subgenus Orthocrema, II + III: subgenus Crematogaster sensu stricto, II: Global Crematogaster clade, III: Australo-Asian Crematogaster clade. Labels i-xi refer to species-groups as outlined in the text.