Crematogaster reticulata

Hosoishi, Shingo & Ogata, Kazuo, 2016, Systematics and biogeography of the ant genus Crematogaster Lund subgenus Orthocrema Santschi in Asia (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 176 (3), pp. 547-606 : 595-596

CREMATOGASTER RETICULATA HOSOISHI, 2009

( FIGS 116, 117 )

Crematogaster (Orthocrema) reticulata Hosoishi, 2009: 261 ;

Holotype worker, Ulu Gombak , Selangor, Malaysia, 27.xi.2005 (SH05-Mal-01) (S. Hosoishi) ( KUEC, examined) and ten paratype workers, same data as holotype ( BMNH, MCSN, MCZC, MHNG, NHMB, examined).

Crematogaster reticulata ; Blaimer, 2012c: 55 [Combination in C. ( Orthocrema )].

Worker measurements (n = 7): HW 0.40–0.46; HL 0.40– 0.46; CI 96–103; SL 0.36–0.42; SI 84–91; EL 0.10– 0.11; PW 0.27–0.30; WL 0.46–0.57; PSL 0.09–0.14; PtL 0.15–0.17; PtW 0.12–0.14; PtH 0.11–0.13; PpL 0.09– 0.12; PpW 0.14–0.15; PtHI 67–76; PtWI 75–87; PpWI 122–155; WI 107–111.

General description of worker: Workers monomorphic, but intermediate workers as large as queen (see below).

Head subquadratic in full-face view. Mandibles with four teeth arranged at an equal distance, apical and subapical teeth large, basal two teeth smaller. Anterior clypeal margin weakly convex or almost straight in medial portion. Compound eyes distinctly projecting beyond lateral margins of head in full-face view. Scapes reaching posterolateral corners of head.

Pronotal collar with almost straight anterior margin in dorsal view, distinctly lower than pronotum in lateral view. Pronotal dorsum with ridges laterally. Mesonotal dorsum with lateral ridges. Pronotum and mesonotum in lateral view not clearly forming continuous dorsal outline. Metanotal groove in dorsal view transverse, almost straight in median portion, forming deep concavity that is laterally margined by lamellate ridges. Propodeal spiracles elliptical, situated at posterolateral corners of propodeum, apart from metapleural gland bullae. Propodeal spines developed, longer than diameter of propodeal spiracles, in dorsal view directed posteriad.

Petiole in dorsal view with parallel sides and angulate shoulders anteriorly, longer than wide. Posterior portion of petiole with short process that is slightly higher than posterior margin of petiole disc in lateral view. Subpetiolar process developed as acute process. Postpetiole in lateral view with weakly convex dorsum, as high as petiole, in dorsal view slightly wider than petiole, weakly bilobed posteriorly but without longitudinal sulcus. Subpostpetiolar process developed as acute process.

Integument essentially sculptured. Dorsal surface of head sculptured reticulately. Mandibles with feeble rugulae and smooth interspaces. Clypeus weakly sculptured with longitudinal rugulae; longer rugulae extending to posterior clypeal margin. Anterolateral shoulders of pronotum with rugulae. Lateral surface of pronotum sculptured in higher portion, but relatively smooth and shining in lower portion. Pronotum and mesonotum with longitudinal rugulae and sculptured interspaces. Mesopleura sculptured, but relatively smooth in central areas. Rugula on higher portion of mesopleura extending to small pit of mesothoracic spiracles. Dorsal surface of propodeum sculptured. Dorsal and lateral surfaces of petiole sculptured. Dorsal and lateral surfaces of postpetiole sculptured.

Standing pilosity sparse. Dorsal face of head with several pairs (c. 9) of erect and stout long setae, and short and decumbent setae sparsely. Clypeus with two pairs of long setae in anterior portion, one directed upward and the other downward. Anterior clypeal margin with one pair of long setae medially and some pairs (three to four) of short setae laterally. Scapes with decumbent to appressed setae. Mesosoma with five pairs of long erect and stout setae (ps1PN, ps2PN, psaMN, pspMN, and ps2PS) that are much longer than other erect setae. Posterolateral tubercles of petiole posteriorly with one pair of stout long setae. Postpetiole with three pairs of stout long setae on disc anterodorsally, anterolaterally and posteriorly. Fourth abdominal tergite with several pairs (c. 12) of erect and stout setae, and short appressed setae sparsely.

Body yellow-brown. All flagellar segments yellow.

Intermediate worker measurements (n = 2): HW 0.66– 0.75; HL 0.63–0.69; CI 105–109; SL 0.49–0.54; SI 72– 74; EL 0.16–0.18; PW 0.49–0.56; WL 0.80–0.94; PSL 0.16–0.18; PtL 0.28–0.32; PtW 0.23–0.26; PtH 0.18– 0.23; PpL 0.17–0.20; PpW 0.27–0.30; PtHI 64–72; PtWI 81–82; PpWI 150–159; WI 115–117.

Description of intermediate worker: With worker character conditions, except as follows.

Head subquadratic. Three ocelli present.

Mesonotum highly convex in lateral view. Pronotum not clearly forming same dorsal outline with mesonotum in lateral view, but posterior face forming oblique slope to metanotal groove. Propodeal spiracles oval.

Subpetiolar process developed as small tubercle.

Mesosoma with nine to 11 pairs of erect and stout long setae; one ps1PN and one to two ps2PN, five to six pairs on mesonotal ridges, two pairs on propodeal spines. Posterolateral tubercles of petiole with two pairs of stout long setae posteriorly. Postpetiole with four pairs of stout long setae on disc anterodorsally, anterolaterally and posteriorly.

Comments: In the worker this species can be distinguished from all other members of the C. biroi group by the distinct compound eyes, strongly sculptured dorsal surface of head, and petiole squared without angulate anterolateral corners. This species is very similar to C. schimmeri , but can be distinguished from it by the propodeal spiracles apart from metapleural gland bulla, petiole squared without angulate anterolateral corners.

Distribution and biology: This species is known from S. Thailand and Malaysia (Peninsula and Borneo) and Brunei ( Fig. 51 ). This species inhabits developed forests, and nests in dead twigs or in dead leaves on trees (SH collections from Ulu Gombak).

Material examined: BRUNEI: one worker, Tasek Merimbun , 12.ii.1999. (Eg 99-BOR-032) (K. Eguchi) ; MALAYSIA: two workers, Lambir Hills N. P. Miri, Sarawak , 20.x.2005. ( CH 000512) (C. Handa) ; six workers, Ulu Gombak, Selangor , 7.iii.2009 (SH09-Mal-37) (S. Hosoishi) ; THAILAND: six workers, Evergreen For., Khlong Naka WS., Ranong Prov., S. Thailand , 12.viii.2009 ( WJT09 -TH2046) (W. Jaitrong) ; four workers, Papra Stn., Khao Nan N. P., Nakhon, S. Thammarat Prov. , S. Thailand , 13.iii.2007 (TH07-SKY-24) (W. Jaitrong) ; four workers and two intermediate workers, Datfa Waterfall, Tai Rom Yen National Park , Surat Thani Prov., 12.x.2011 (knot of live tree) (TH11-SKY- 062) (Sk. Yamane).

Figures

Figure 51. Geographical distribution of the species of the C. biroi group.

Figures 112–119. Body in lateral view. 112, Crematogaster osakensis, worker [Hiraodai Karst Plateau, Fukuoka, Japan]; 113, Crematogaster philippinensis, worker [Mt. Mayon, Luzon Island, Philippines]; 114, Crematogaster quadriruga, worker [Lum Jang Wat, E, Thailand]; 115, Crematogaster quadriruga, intermediate worker [PSU forest, Hat Yai, Songkhla Prov., S. Thailand]; 116, Crematogaster reticulata, worker [Ulu Gombak, Selangor, W. Malaysia]; 117, Crematogaster reticulata, intermediate worker [Datfa Waterfall, Tai Rom Yen National Park, Surat Thani Prov., S. Thailand]; 118, Crematogaster schimmeri, worker [Pilam, Taiwan]; 119, Crematogaster storki, worker [Dumoga-Bone National Park, Utara, Sulawesi, Indonesia].