Camponotus becki Santschi stat. nov.

Figs 27A, 45

Camponotus radamae st. becki Santschi, 1923: 292. Syntype workers, Madagascar (R. Beck) (MHNG) [examined]; 1 syntype minor worker designated as lectotype, by present designation, AntWeb CASENT0101992 (MHNG) [examined]. Paralectotype major worker CASENT0101777 (MHNG) [examined]. [First available use of Camponotus (Myrmoturba) maculatus r. radamae var. becki Forel, 1914: 251; unavailable name]. Stat. nov. The worker specimens that are the basis of the unavailable name Camponotus (Myrmoturba) radamae st. becki var altior Santschi, 1923: 292 from Madagascar, Monts Andringitra, point culminant de l’île (Descarpentries) are referred here, AntWeb CASENT0101100 (NHMB) [examined].

Additional material examined.

Madagascar: Fianarantsoa: PN Andringitra, Plateau d’Andohariana, 35.9 km 205° Ambalavao, -22.15233, 46.89917, 2000 m, ericoid thicket (B.L. Fisher et al.) (CAS); PN Andringitra, Plateau d’Andohariana, 39.8 km 204° Ambalavao, -22.18767, 46.90083, 2150 m, rubicole thicket at base of cliff (B.L. Fisher et al.) (CAS); PN Andringitra, Plateau d’Andohariana, base of Pic d’Ivangomena, -22.2, 46.9, 2050 m, montane rainforest, (Goodman leg.) (CAS); PN Andringitra, 8.5 km SE Antanitotsy, -22.16667, 46.96667, 1990 m, montane rainforest (Sylvain) (CAS) .

Diagnosis.

With head in full-face view, lateral margins of head anterior to eye level parallel and lacking erect hairs, lateral cephalic margin rounding to posterior margin, anteromedian clypeal margin truncate; propodeal dorsum more or less straight and joining declivity surface at a broad angle; body color black to dark brown.

Description.

Minor worker. With head in full-face view, lateral margins anterior to level of eye parallel, rounding evenly to a straight posterior margin; eye more or less convex (EL/CS: 0.27 ± 0.02; 0.25-0.30), not breaking lateral cephalic margin, level of its posterior margin located generally at posterior 1/4 of head (PoOc/CL: 0.26 ± 0.01; 0.24-0.27); frontal carinae posteriorly parallel (FR/CS: 0.27 ± 0.01; 0.26-0.29); clypeus without well-defined anterolateral angle and with anteromedian margin broadly convex; mandible with two apical teeth distantly spaced; antennal scape relatively long (SL/CS: 0.27 ± 0.01; 0.26-0.29). Promesonotum weakly convex, mesopropodeum generally flat; mesonotum with posterior portion flat immediately anterior to a weakly visible metanotal groove; propodeal dorsum anteriorly convex and posteriorly flat, joining declivity blunt angle; propodeal dorsum 2 × as long as declivity. Petiolar node short and high, its dorsal margin rounding to anterior face, height of its anterior face 2/3 that of posterior face; femur of hind leg flattened laterally, twisted near base.

First and second gastral tergites usually without white spots; lateral margin of head without erect hairs; two erect hairs near posterior margin of head; antennal scape only covered with appressed hairs. Pronotum with a pair of erect hairs; posterodorsal angle of propodeum with a pair of erect hairs.

Major worker. With characteristics of minor worker except: enlarged head (CS: 2.80 ± 0.23; 2.54-2.96; CWb/CL: 0.97 ± 0.03; 0.94-1.00) with slight, medially concave posterior margin; apical 1/3 of antennal scape surpassing posterior cephalic margin; robust mesosoma, metanotum distinctly visible; propodeal dorsum same length as declivity; petiolar node flattened anteroposteriorly.

Distribution and biology.

Based on recent collection data, Camponotus becki is restricted to the ericoid thickets and montane rainforests of the PN Andringitra (Fig. 45 D). The species has been found nesting under stones and foraging on the ground.

Discussion.

See discussion under C. asara . The taxonomic categorization of C. becki based on the study of qualitative morphology is supported by the NC-clustering method. This species is identified by LDA at 100% success.