Camponotus boivini Forel, 2022

Rakotonirina, Jean Claude & Fisher, Brian L., 2022, Revision of the Malagasy Camponotus subgenus Myrmosaga (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) using qualitative and quantitative morphology, ZooKeys 1098, pp. 1-180 : 1

Camponotus boivini Forel stat. rev.

Figs 23B , 47

Camponotus maculatus r. boivini Forel, 1891: 34. Syntype workers, queen and male, Madagascar (Sikora) (MHNG); 1 syntype minor worker designated as lectotype, by present designation, AntWeb CASENT0101343 (MHNG) [examined]. Paralectotypes with same data as lectotype but: 1 minor worker CASENT0101349, 2 major workers CASENT0101342, CASENT0101348 and 1 male CASENT0101607 (MHNG) [examined]. Raised to species by Dalla Torre 1893: 223. As subspecies of Camponotus maculatus by Emery, 1895: 337; Wheeler 1922: 1040. As subspecies of Camponotus hova by Emery, 1920b: 6, 1925: 86. Stat. rev.

Camponotus maculatus st. fairmairei Santschi, 1911a: 130. Syntype workers Madagascar, colony living with larvae of Fulgorids (Fairmaire, 1900) (NHMB); 1 syntype minor worker designated as lectotype, by present designation, AntWeb CASENT0101102 (NHMB) [examined]. [ Camponotus hova fairmairei : as subspecies of Camponotus hova by Emery, 1920b: 6; Emery 1925: 86]. Syn. nov.

Note.

One major worker and one male specimen that are labeled respectively with CASENT0104638 and CASENT0104637 (ZMHB), were collected from Mahajanga, and are labeled with an unpublished name " Camponotus maculatus subsp. hova var. laticollus " by Forel. In the present study, the two specimens are identified as Camponotus boivini .

Additional material examined.

Madagascar: Antananarivo: Alasora, -18.96245, 47.58925, 1434 m, eucalyptus plantation (B.L. Fisher et al.) (CAS); Andohony I Non Protected Area, 22.62 km SW Antsirabe, -20.06784, 46.99068, 1451 m, Savannah grassland (A. Ravelomanana) (CAS); Andohony II Non Protected Area, 22.71 km SW Antsirabe, -20.06904, 46.99199, 1398 m, Savannah grassland (A. Ravelomanana) (CAS); Ankalalahana, -18.99666, 47.1118, 1353 m, Uapaca woodland, (H.E. Marti et al.) (CAS); Ankalalahana, -19.00659, 47.1122, 1375 m, Uapaca woodland (B.L. Fisher et al.) (CAS); Antaponimanadala III Non Protected Area, 6.55 km E Manalalondo, -19.25583, 47.17751, 1987 m, Savannah grassland (A. Ravelomanana) (CAS); Antaponimanadala IV Non Protected Area, 6.66 km E Manalalondo, -19.25361, 47.17634, 1951 m, Savannah grassland (A. Ravelomanana) (CAS); Antsirabe, -19.866, 47.0355, 1550 m, urban/garden (B.L. Fisher et al.) (CAS); Beapombo III Non Protected Area, 22.30 km SW Antsirabe, -20.0662, 46.99839, 1612 m, Uapaca woodland (A. Ravelomanana) (CAS). Antsiranana: Ampasindava, Forêt d’Ambilanivy, 3.9 km 181° S Ambaliha, -13.79861, 48.16167, 600 m, rainforest (Fisher, Griswold et al.) (CAS); Forêt Ambato, 26.6 km 33° Ambanja, -13.4645, 48.55167, 150 m, rainforest (B.L. Fisher) (CAS); 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) (CAS); Forêt d’Ampondrabe, 26.3 km 10° NNE Daraina, -12.97, 49.7, 175 m, tropical dry forest (B.L. Fisher) (CAS); Forêt de Binara, 7.5 km 230° SW Daraina, -13.255, 49.61667, 375 m, tropical dry forest (B.L. Fisher) (CAS); Forêt d’Orangea, 3.6 km 128° SE Remena, -12.25889, 49.37467, 90 m, littoral rainforest (Fisher, Griswold et al.) (CAS); Galoko chain, Mont Galoko, -13.58745, 48.71419, 380 m, rainforest (B.L. Fisher et al.) (CAS); Montagne des Français, 7.2 km 142° SE Antsiranana (=Diego Suarez), -12.32278, 49.33817, 180 m, tropical dry forest, (J.-J. Rafanomezantsoa et al.) al. (CAS); Nosy Ankao forest, -12.79164, 49.82378, 25 m, tropical dry forest (B.L. Fisher et al.) (CAS); Nosy Be, RNI Lokobe, 6.3 km 112° ESE Hellville, -13.41933, 48.33117, 30 m, rainforest (Fisher, Griswold et al.) (CAS); Réserve Analamerana, 16.7 km 123° Anivorano-Nord, -12.80467, 49.37383, 225 m, tropical dry forest (B.L. Fisher) (CAS); Réserve Analamerana, 28.4 km 99° Anivorano-Nord, -12.74667, 49.49483, 60 m, tropical dry forest (B.L. Fisher) (CAS); RS Ambre, 3.5 km 235° SW Sakaramy, -12.46889, 49.24217, 325 m, tropical dry forest (Fisher, Griswold et al.) (CAS); RS Ankarana, 22.9 km 224° SW Anivorano Nord, -12.90889, 49.10983, 80 m, tropical dry forest (Fisher, Griswold et al.) (CAS); RS Ankarana, Anilotra, -12.90981, 49.11057, 98 m, Dry forest on tsingy (B.L. Fisher et al.) (CAS). Fianarantsoa: 28 km SSW Ambositra, Ankazomivady, -20.775, 47.16833, 1670 m, grassland (B.L. Fisher) (CAS); Amoron’i Mania Region, District of Ambositra, Italaviana Uapaca forest, 35 km SE of Antsirabe, -20.17333, 47.086, 1359 m, Uapaca forest ( Rin’Ha, Mike) (CAS); PN Isalo, Ampangabe I Non Protected Area, 21.4 km W Itremo, -20.61111, 46.60688, 1414 m, savannah woodland (A. Ravelomanana) (CAS); Ampangabe IV Non Protected Area, 21.37 km W Itremo, -20.61278, 46.60774, 1417 m, savannah woodland (A. Ravelomanana) (CAS); Antohatsahomby IV Non Protected Area, 22.67 km NW Itremo, -20.56306, 46.58097, 1708 m, Uapaca woodland (A. Ravelomanana) (CAS); Antohatsahomby V Non Protected Area, 22.63 km NW Itremo, -20.56722, 46.57923, 1726 m, Uapaca woodland (A. Ravelomanana) (CAS); Forêt d’Atsirakambiaty, 7.6 km 285° WNW Itremo, -20.59333, 46.56333, 1550 m, grassland (Fisher, Griswold et al.) (CAS); Manandriana II Non Protected Area, 27.12 km SW Ambositra, -20.7325, 47.09461, 1589 m, Savannah grassland (A. Ravelomanana) (CAS); Soanierenana II Non Protected Area, 25.61 km SW Ambositra, -20.72194, 47.10896, 1732 m, savannah grassland (A. Ravelomanana) (CAS); Soanierenana IV Non Protected Area, 25.22 km SW Ambositra, -20.72389, 47.10705, 1736 m, savannah grassland (A. Ravelomanana) (CAS); Soanierenana IV Non Protected Area, 25.22 km SW Ambositra, -20.72389, 47.10705, 1736 m, savannah grassland (A. Ravelomanana) (CAS). Mahajanga: Boeny Region, District of Marovoay, PN Ankarafantsika, Ampijoroa SF, 160 km North of Maevatanana on RN 04, -16.31933, 46.81333, 42 m, deciduous forest (Mike, Rin’ha) (CAS); Boeny Region: PN Ankarafantsika, Ambodimanga, -16.32342, 46.82443, 75 m, dry forest, Canopy Bootcamp, (A. Karunakaran) (CAS). Forêt Ambohimanga, 26.1 km 314° Mampikony, -15.96267, 47.43817, 250 m, tropical dry forest (B.L. Fisher) (CAS). Forêt de Tsimembo, 11.0 km 346° NNW Soatana, -18.99528, 44.4435, 50 m, tropical dry forest (Fisher-Griswold Arthropod Team) (CAS). Mahavavy River, 6.2 km 145° SE Mitsinjo, -16.05167, 45.90833, 20 m, gallery forest (Fisher, Griswold et al.) (CAS). Manerinerina, 76.6 km N Antsohihy, -14.10744, 48.11046, 247 m, disturbed forest (B.L. Fisher et al.) (CAS). PN Ankarafantsika, Ampijoroa SF, 5.4 km 331° NW Andranofasika, -16.29889, 46.813, 70 m, tropical dry forest (Fisher, Griswold et al.) (CAS); PN Ankarafantsika, Ampijoroa SF, 40 km 306° NW Andranofasika, -16.32083, 46.81067, 130 m, tropical dry forest (Fisher, Griswold et al.) (CAS); PN Ankarafantsika, Forêt de Tsimaloto, 18.3 km 46° NE de Tsaramandroso, -16.22806, 47.14361, 135 m, tropical dry forest (Fisher, Griswold et al.) (CAS); PN Baie de Baly, 12.4 km 337° NNW Soalala, -16.01, 45.265, 10 m, tropical dry forest (Fisher, Griswold et al.) (CAS); PN Namoroka, 16.9 km 317° NW Vilanandro, -16.40667, 45.31, 100 m, tropical dry forest (Fisher, Griswold et al.) (CAS); PN Namoroka, 17.8 km 329° WNW Vilanandro, -16.37667, 45.32667, 100 m, tropical dry forest (Fisher, Griswold et al.) (CAS); PN Namoroka, 9.8 km 300° WNW Vilanandro, -16.46667, 45.35, 140 m, tropical dry forest (Fisher, Griswold et al.) (CAS); PN Tsingy de Bemaraha, 10.6 km ESE 123° Antsalova, -18.70944, 44.71817, 150 m, tropical dry forest on Tsingy (Fisher-Griswold Arthropod Team) (CAS); PN Tsingy de Bemaraha, 2.5 km 62° ENE Bekopaka, Ankidrodroa River, -19.13222, 44.81467, 100 m, tropical dry forest on Tsingy (Fisher-Griswold Arthropod Team) (CAS); PN Tsingy de Bemaraha, 3.4 km 93° E Bekopaka, Tombeau Vazimba, -19.14194, 44.828, 50 m, tropical dry forest (Fisher-Griswold Arthropod Team) (CAS); Réserve d’Ankoririka, 10.6 km 13° NE de Tsaramandroso, -16.26722, 47.04861, 210 m, tropical dry forest (Fisher, Griswold et al.) (CAS); Réserve forestière Beanka, 50.7 km E Maintirano, -17.88021, 44.46877, 140 m, tropical dry forest edge (B.L. Fisher et al.) (CAS); Réserve forestière Beanka, 52.7 km E Maintirano, -18.0622, 44.52587, 300 m, tropical dry forest on tsingy (B.L. Fisher et al.) (CAS); Réserve forestière Beanka, 53.6 km E Maintirano, -18.04014, 44.53394, 272 m, tropical dry forest on tsingy (B.L. Fisher et al.) (CAS); RS Bemarivo, 23.8 km 223° SW Besalampy, -16.925, 44.36833, 30 m, tropical dry forest (Fisher, Griswold et al.) (CAS); Sofia Region, District of Port-Berger, Ambovomamy 20 km N of Port-Berger, -15.45117, 47.61333, 86 m, secondary forest on white sandy area (Mike, Frank, Rin’ha) (CAS). Toamasina: Ambatovy, 12.4 km NE Moramanga, -18.85813, 48.28488, 1040 m, grassland (B.L. Fisher et al.) (CAS); PN Andasibe, botanic garden near entrance, west of ANGAP office, -18.925172, 48.418651, 1025 m, tropical forest (M.E. Irwin, R. Harin’Hala) (CAS). Toliara: Forêt de Beroboka, 5.9 km 131° SE Ankidranoka, -22.23306, 43.36633, 80 m, tropical dry forest (Fisher-Griswold Arthropod Team) (CAS); Forêt de Kirindy, 15.5 km 64° ENE Marofandilia, -20.06855, 44.65956667, 30 m, tropical dry forest (B.L. Fisher) (CAS); Forêt de Kirindy, 15.5 km 64° ENE Marofandilia, -20.045, 44.66222, 100 m, tropical dry forest (Fisher-Griswold Arthropod Team) (CAS); Forêt de Tsinjoriaky, 6.2 km 84° E Tsifota, -22.80222, 43.42067, 70 m, spiny forest/thicket (Fisher-Griswold Arthropod Team) (CAS); Makay Mts., -21.30997, 45.12946, 590 m, dry forest on sandy soil (B.L. Fisher et al.) (CAS); Makay Mts., -21.31664, 45.1296, 620 m, dry forest on sandy soil (B.L. Fisher et al.) (CAS); Makay Mts., -21.25864, 45.16412, 500 m, gallery forest with bamboo (B.L. Fisher et al.) (CAS); Makay Mts., -21.21985, 45.32396, 500 m, gallery forest on sandy soil (B.L. Fisher et al.) (CAS); Makay Mts., -21.20978, 45.34184, 525 m, gallery forest on sandy soil (B.L. Fisher et al.) (CAS); PN Tsimanampetsotsa, Forêt de Bemanateza, 20.7 km 81° E Efoetse, 23.0 km 131° SE Beheloka, -23.99222, 43.88067, 90 m, spiny forest/thicket (Fisher-Griswold Arthropod Team) (CAS); 5 km E Itampolo, Malaise across path of plateau of Andrimpano Forest, -24.65033, 43.96317, 130 m, dry forest (M.E. Irwin, Rin’ha) (CAS); RS Kalambatritra, Ambinanitelo, -23.45373, 46.45773, 1345 m, grassland (B.L. Fisher et al.) (CAS).

Diagnosis.

Lateral cephalic margins approximately parallel in full-face view; two apical teeth of mandible normally spaced; antennal scape covered with suberect hairs inclined at ca. 45°; in lateral view, posterior 1/2 of mesonotum to posterodorsal corner of propodeum somewhat convex, propodeal dorsum ca. 2 × as long as the height of declivity surface.

Description.

Minor worker. In full-face view, lateral cephalic borders anterior to level of eye parallel to each other, converging progressively towards posterior margin behind eye level; eye protruding and large (EL/CS: 0.32 ± 0.02; 0.29-0.36), breaking lateral cephalic margins; head sides behind eye level 1/4 length of head (PoOc/CL: 0.27 ± 0.01; 0.24-0.30); frontal carinae widely diverging posteriorly (FR/CS: 0.32 ± 0.01; 0.30-0.35); clypeus with anterolateral angle, its anteromedian margin with blunt angle or convex; mandible with two apical teeth distant from each other; antennal scape relatively long (SL/CS: 1.37 ± 0.10; 1.22-1.56). Promesonotum weakly convex and mesopropodeum feebly convex, mesonotum with posterior portion flat immediately anterior to metanotal groove, metanotum weakly visible, propodeal dorsum anteriorly convex and posteriorly flat, dorsal margin of propodeum and declivity joining at a blunt angle, height of propodeal declivity 1/2 length of propodeal dorsum. Petiolar node flattened, short, and high, without noticeable dorsal margin; tibia of hind leg rounded axially, without twist in the basal portion.

First and second gastral tergites without a pair of white spots; lateral margin of head anterior to eyes level with erect hairs, which are absent behind eyes; posterior margin of head with a pair of erect hairs; antennal scape covered with erect hairs inclined at 45°; posterodorsal angle of propodeum with a pair of erect hairs.

Major worker. Differing from minor worker in having larger head (CS: 2.29 ± 0.28; 1.96-3.12; CWb/CL: 0.91 ± 0.04; 0.86-0.99), short antennal scape barely surpassing posterior cephalic margin; robust mesosoma with distinct metanotum, and petiolar node as high as long. Other characters as in minor worker.

Distribution and biology.

The distribution of C. boivini is generally limited to western and the high plateau of Madagascar (Fig. 47D ). This species occurs mostly in dry forest habitats in the north through spiny forest areas in the south. Along its north-south range it can be found in gallery forests, disjunct montane rainforest, Uapaca woodlands, and savannah grasslands. When nesting in rotten logs, rotting tree stumps, under stones, in dead branches, twigs on the ground, and in the soil, C. boivini typically forages in leaf litter and seldom on the forest floor and low vegetation.

Discussion.

Camponotus boivini may be confused with C. cemeryi but the latter is characterized by a short and high mesosoma which shows a strongly convex dorsal outline. Camponotus boivini can be confounded with C. mixtellus but workers of the latter species have an antennal scape covered with suberect hairs inclined at ca. 30°, are generally larger (CS: 1.56 ± 0.13; 1.16-1.83; ML: 2.76 ± 0.16; 3.10-3.45), and are mostly found in the rainforest of the region.

Santschi (1911a) originally described Camponotus maculatus st. fairmairei without any comparison of the specimens to those of other species, though his description corresponds to the type specimens of C. boivini . The observation of the samples and the distributional data obtained from the recent ant survey in Madagascar combined with this information are sufficiently enough to reasonably synonymize Camponotus maculatus st. fairmairei here.

The definition of C. boivinii based on traditional qualitative morphology is congruent with the results achieved by the exploratory analysis and the cumulative LDA, which has an identification success of 100%.

Figures

Figure 23. Head in full-face view A C. mixtellus (CASENT 0076675) B C. boivini (CASENT 0168345).

Figure 47. Camponotus boivini A lateral view B head in full-face view C dorsal view of minor worker CASENT 0486575 D distribution map.