Camponotus cemeryi Oezdikmen, 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 cemeryi Oezdikmen stat. nov.

Figs 21A , 49

Camponotus hova cemeryi Özdikmen, 2010: 34. Syntype major workers, queen and male, Madagascar, Majunga (Voeltzkow); 1 syntype major worker designated as lectotype, by present designation, Madagascar, Majunga (Voeltzkow) AntWeb CASENT0101103 (NHMB) [examined]. Paralectotypes: 2 major workers with the same data as lectotype but with specimen codes CASENT0101104 (NHMB), CASENT0101894 (MHNG); 1 alate queen CASENT0101848 and 1 male CASENT0101911 (MHNG) [examined]. Replacement name of Camponotus hova var. luteolus Emery, 1925: 85. Stat. nov.

Note.

Camponotus hova var. luteolus Emery, is a junior secondary homonym of Camponotus maculatus luteolus Emery, 1906:188. As a subspecies of Camponotus bonariensis luteolus Emery, 1920a: 233; [First available use of Camponotus maculatus r. hova var. luteolus Forel, 1897: 187; unavailable name].

Additional material examined.

Madagascar: Antananarivo: Navoatra VI Non Protected Area, 7.3 km NW Arivonimamo, -18.97889, 47.12253, 1276 m, Uapaca woodland (A. Ravelomanana) (CAS). Antsiranana: Forêt de Binara, 7.5 km 230° SW Daraina, -13.255, 49.61667, 375 m, tropical dry forest (B.L. Fisher) (CAS). Fianarantsoa: 28 km SSW Ambositra, Ankazomivady, -20.775, 47.16833, 1670 m, grassland (B.L. Fisher) (CAS); Ambalavao, -21.83267, 46.93867, 1020 m, urban/garden (B.L. Fisher et al.) (CAS); Ampandravelo III Non Protected Area, 10.72 km NE Ranohira, -22.53944, 45.51497, 869 m, Shrubland (A. Ravelomanana) (CAS); Ampotoampoto I National Parc, 8.02 km NW Ilakaka, -22.62833, 45.18859, 917 m, savannah woodland (A. Ravelomanana) (CAS); Ampotoampoto IV National Parc, 7.83 km NW Ilakaka, -22.62944, 45.1912, 923 m, savannah woodland (A. Ravelomanana) (CAS); dry wash, 1 km E of PN Isalo Interpretive Center, -22.62667, 45.35817, 885 m, dry wash (M.E. Irwin, F.D. Parker, R. Harin’Hala) (CAS); Forêt d’Analalava, 29.6 km 280° W Ranohira, -22.59167, 45.12833, 700 m, tropical dry forest (Fisher, Griswold et al.) (CAS); Horombe Region, District of Ihosy, PN Isalo, 900 m E of ANGAP Interpretation Center, -22.62667, 45.35817, 701 m, open area near stream ( Rin’Ha, Mike) (CAS); Horombe Region, Ihosy Distric, PN Isalo, 1 km E of ANGAP Interpretation Center, -22.62667, 45.35817, 823 m, open area ( Rin’Ha, Mike) (CAS); Isalo II National Parc, 12.26 km SW Ranohira, -22.61528, 45.31307, 867 m, Bismarckia woodland (A. Ravelomanana) (CAS); Isalo III National Parc, 12.02 km SW Ranohira, -22.61583, 45.31084, 870 m, Bismarckia woodland (A. Ravelomanana) (CAS); Isalo IV National Parc, 12 km SW Ranohira, -22.61472, 45.31304, 867 m, Bismarckia woodland (A. Ravelomanana) (CAS); RS Manombo, 32 km SE of Farafangana, -23.02183, 47.72, 36 m, Lowland rainforest ( Rin’Ha, Mike) (CAS); PN Isalo, Ambovo Springs, 29.3 km 4° N Ranohira, -22.29833, 45.35167, 990 m, Uapaca woodland (Fisher, Griswold et al.) (CAS); PN Isalo, Sahanafa River, 29.2 km 351° N Ranohira, -22.31333, 45.29167, 500 m, gallery forest (Fisher, Griswold et al.) (CAS); radio tower, PN Ranomafana, -21.25833, 47.40717, 1130 m, forest edge, mixed tropical forest, open area (M.E. Irwin, F.D. Parker, R. Harin’Hala) (CAS); stream area, 900 m E of PN Isalo Interpretive Center, -22.62667, 45.35817, 750 m, open area near stream (R. Harin’Hala) (CAS). Mahajanga: PN Ankarafantsika, Ampijoroa SF, 160 km N Maevatanana, deciduous forest, -16.31944, 46.81333, 43 m, deciduous forest, Mike (Irwin, Rin’ha), Harin’Hala (CAS); Boeny Region, District of Soalala, Beaboaly Bamboo forest Station 10 km SW of Soalala, 04 km of Baly village, -16.04533, 48.804, 9 m, Bamboo Forêt (Mike, Rin’ha) (CAS); 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, District of Soalala Analamanitra forest, 14 km SW of Mitsinjo, -16.7, 45.7, 19 m, dense dry forest (Mike, Rin’ha) (CAS); Mahavavy River, 6.2 km 145° SE Mitsinjo, -16.05167, 45.90833, 20 m, gallery forest (Fisher, Griswold et al.) (CAS); Melaky Region, District of Mintirano, Ampasy 50 km E of Maintirano, -18.004, 44.452, 85 m, dry forest (Mike, Rin’ha) (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, 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); Réserve forestière Beanka, 48.9 km E Maintirano, -18.02472, 44.48788, 250 m, savannah shrubland (B.L. Fisher et al.) (CAS); Réserve forestière Beanka, 50.2 km E Maintirano, -18.02127, 44.49566, 250 m, savannah woodland (B.L. Fisher et al.) (CAS); Réserve forestière Beanka, 50.7 km E Maintirano, -17.8873, 44.47113, 160 m, savannah shrubland (B.L. Fisher et al.) (CAS). Toliara: Androy Region, District of Tsihombe, 74 km S of Tsihombe, RS Cap Ste Marie, -25.58767, 45.163, 36 m, spiny bush ( Rin’Ha, Mike) (CAS); Androy Region, District of Tsihombe, 74 km S of Tsihombe, RS Cap Ste Marie, -25.58767, 45.163, 36 m, spiny bush ( Rin’Ha, Mike) (CAS); Androy Region, District of Tsihombe, 74 km S of Tsihombe, RS Cap Ste Marie, -25.58767, 45.163, 152 m, Bush (Mike, Rin’ha) (CAS); Anosy Region, District of Amboasary, 58 km SW of Fort Dauphin, 08 km NW of Amboasary, Berenty Special Reserve, -25.00667, 46.30333, 85 m, Galery forest ( Rin’Ha, Mike) (CAS); Anosy Region, District of Amboasary, 58 km SW of Fort Dauphin, 08 km NW of Amboasary, Berenty Special Reserve, -25.00667, 46.30333, 85 m, Galery forest ( Rin’Ha, Mike) (CAS); Anosy Region, District of Amboasary, PN Andohahela, Parcelle III, Ihazofotsy, 32 km NE Amboasary, -24.83083, 46.53617, 58 m, dry forest, spiny forest (Michael Irwin, Frank Parker, Rin’ha) (CAS); Anosy Region, District of Amboasary, 58 km SW of Fort Dauphin, 08 km NW of Amboasary, Berenty Special Reserve, -25.021, 46.3055, 36 m, spiny forest (Mike, Rin’ha) (CAS); Anosy Region, District of Fort-Dauphin, PN Andohahela, Parcelle II, Tsimela, 42 km W of Fort-Dauphin, -24.93683, 46.62667, 176 m, transition forest (Michael Irwin, Frank Parker, Rin’ha) (CAS); Anosy Region, PN Andohahela, Forêt de Manatalinjo, -24.82505, 46.57811, 90 m, spiny forest/thicket (B.L. Fisher, F.A. Esteves et al.) (CAS); Anosy Region, PN Andohahela, Forêt de Manatalinjo, -24.82466, 46.60111, 100 m, spiny forest/thicket (B.L. Fisher, F.A. Esteves et al.) (CAS); Atsimo Andrefana Region, District of Betioky, 30 km E Betioky, RS Beza Mahafaly (Around Research Station), -23.6865, 44.591, 165 m, Galery dry deciduous forest ( Rin’Ha, Mike) (CAS); Atsimo Andrefana Region, District of Tulear II, Mikea deciduous dry forest 3 km N Andranomavo village, -22.90367, 43.4755, 30 m, Deciduous dry forest ( Rin’Ha, Mike) (CAS); Beza-Mahafaly, 27 km E Betioky, -23.65, 44.63333, 135 m, tropical dry forest (B.L. Fisher) (CAS); 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, -20.045, 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., -21.29961, 45.12919, 570 m, Dry forest edge and burned savannah (B.L. Fisher et al.) (CAS); Makay Mts., -21.34109, 45.18054, 500 m, Barren rock with sparse vegetation, burned grass (B.L. Fisher et al.) (CAS); Menabe Region, District of Morondava, Beroboka village 45 km NE of Morondava, Antsarongaza galery forest 07 km E of Beroboka, -19.9775, 44.66533, 45 m, Galery forest (M. Irwin, Rin’ha) (CAS); PN Andohahela, Forêt d’Ambohibory, 1.7 km 61° ENE Tsimelahy, 36.1 km 308° NW Tolagnaro, -24.93, 46.6455, 300 m, tropical dry forest (Fisher-Griswold Arthropod Team) (CAS); PN Andohahela, Forêt de Manatalinjo, 33.6 km 63° ENE Amboasary, 7.6 km 99° E Hazofotsy, -24.81694, 46.61, 150 m, spiny forest/thicket (Fisher-Griswold Arthropod Team) (CAS); PN Kirindy Mite, 16.3 km 127° SE Belo sur Mer, -20.79528, 44.147, 80 m, tropical dry forest (Fisher-Griswold Arthropod Team) (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); PN Tsimanampetsotsa, Mitoho Cave, 6.4 km 77° ENE Efoetse, 17.4 km 170° S Beheloka, -24.04722, 43.75317, 40 m, spiny forest/thicket (Fisher-Griswold Arthropod Team) (CAS); PN Zombitse, 19.8 km 84° E Sakaraha, -22.84333, 44.71, 770 m, tropical dry forest (Fisher, Griswold et al.) (CAS); RS Beza Mahafaly, Parcel 1, -23.65, 44.63333, 130 m, tropical dry forest (P.S. Ward) (CAS); southern Isoky-Vohimena Forest, 59 km NE Sakaraha, -22.46667, 44.85, 730 m, tropical dry forest (B.L. Fisher) (CAS); 3 km E Itampolo, malaise across path of lower bench of Andrimpano Forest, -24.65783, 43.95617, 45 m, dry forest (M.E. Irwin, Rin’ha) (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); 5 km N Ampotaka, malaise on trail in Vitambany gallery forest, -24.65033, 43.96317, 86 m, Gallery forest (M.E. Irwin, Rin’ha) (CAS); Berenty Special Reserve, 8 km NW Amboasary, 58 km SW of Fort Dauphin, -25.00667, 46.30333, 85 m, gallery forest (M.E. Irwin, F.D. Parker, R. Harin’Hala) (CAS); PN Andohahela, Ihazofotsy - Parcel III, transition forest, -24.83483, 46.48683, 80 m, tropical dry forest, transition between spiny and dry deciduous forests (M.E. Irwin, F.D. Parker, R. Harin’Hala) (CAS); Mikea Forest, deciduous dry forest, -22.90367, 43.4755, 30 m, deciduous dry forest (R. Harin’Hala) (CAS); Mikea Forest, spiny forest, -22.91333, 43.48222, 37 m, spiny forest (R. Harin’Hala) (CAS); near ANGAP office, PN Zombitse, -22.8865, 44.69217, 840 m, deciduous spiny forest (R. Harin’Hala) (CAS); Parcel I, RS Beza Mahafaly, near research station, -23.6865, 44.591, 165 m, dry deciduous forest (R. Harin’Hala) (CAS); Parcel II, RS Beza Mahafaly, near Bellevue, -23.68983, 44.5755, 180 m, spiny forest (R. Harin’Hala) (CAS); PN Tsimanampetsotsa, Mitoho Forest, malaise on plateau, -24.0485, 43.75233, 150 m, dense dry forest (M.E. Irwin, Rin’ha) (CAS); Tsimelahy - Parcel II, PN Andohahela, transition forest, -24.93683, 46.62667, 180 m, transition forest (M.E. Irwin, F.D. Parker, R. Harin’Hala) (CAS).

Diagnosis.

With head in full-face view, lateral cephalic margins anterior to eye level parallel and lacking erect hairs, lateral and anteromedian clypeal margin continuously forming broad convexity; scape covered with erect hairs; mesosoma short and high (MPH/ML: 0.39, 0.46); petiolar node flattened anteroposteriorly; body color yellowish to brown.

Description.

Minor worker. In full-face view, head sides anterior to level of eye parallel, converging progressively to posterior margin; eye large and convex (EL/CS: 0.33 ± 0.01; 0.31-0.35), breaking lateral cephalic margin, level of its posterior border generally located from posterior 1/3 to 1/4 of head (PoOc/CL: 0.25 ± 0.02; 0.22-0.29); frontal carinae not strongly diverging posteriorly (FR/CS: 0.28 ± 0.01; 0.26-0.30), posteriorly diverging; clypeus with anterolateral angle, its anteromedian margin with blunt or convex angle, two apical teeth of mandible distantly spaced; antennal scape long (SL/CS: 1.49 ± 0.05; 1.41-1.60). Dorsum of mesosoma strongly arched (MPH/ML: 0.42 ± 0.02; 0.39-0.46), outline of promesonotum and dorsum of propodeum evenly convex; metanotal groove weakly visible, dorsal margin and declivity of propodeum connect at blunt angle; propodeal declivity height> 3/4 of dorsum length; petiolar node flattened anteroposteriorly, without noticeable dorsal margin; tibia of hind leg rounded axially and not twisted basally.

First and second gastral tergites without a pair of white spots; whole lateral margin of head covered with erect hairs; posterior margin of head with two pairs of erect hairs; antennal scape covered only with appressed hairs; posterodorsal angle of propodeum with more than four erect hairs.

Major worker. Characteristics the same as minor worker, except the enlarged head (CS: 2.41 ± 0.22; 2.19-2.72; CWb/CL: 0.87 ± 0.05; 0.83-0.94); stronger mandible; apical 1/5 of antennal scape surpassing posterior cephalic margin; metanotum visible; propodeal dorsum slightly convex joining a vertically built declivity at rounded angle; petiolar node much higher than long.

Distribution and biology.

Camponotus cemeryi occurs in dry forest and spiny forest of west Madagascar and in the savannah shrubland and woodland of the central plateau (Fig. 49D ). Along its distribution, members of the species can also be found in gallery forest habitats and in transitional forest between dry and humid forests. It may also establish colonies in human-modified habitats on the high plateau. Specimens have been collected mostly foraging on the forest floor and rarely on lower vegetation. The species nests in rotten logs, in the ground, under stones, and in rotting tree stumps.

Discussion.

Members of C. cemeryi can be separated from similar species like C. boivini by the strongly convex dorsal outline of its short and high mesosoma. It can be differentiated from C. mahafaly by the presence of erect to suberect hairs on the antennal scape.

Worker specimens that show the typical form of C. cemeryi are generally found across the western dry forest of Madagascar, but specimens have been collected from the mountaintops on the high plateau of the island that present morphological variation in which the lateral margin of head posterior to eye level is covered with erect hairs, three pairs of erect hairs are present on posterior cephalic margin, and body color is generally depigmented yellow or brown with depigmented yellow in some parts of the body. Based on these characters, this variant may constitute a separate species; however, the dendrogram based on quantitative morphological analysis did not support this hypothesis. The variant is nested within the cluster of the typical form of the species according to the NC-clustering method, and all of these samples were correctly classified by LDA at 100% success.

Figures

Figure 21. Mesosoma and petiolar node in lateral view A C. cemeryi (CASENT 0217306) B C. hovahovoides (CASENT 0496908).

Figure 49. Camponotus cemeryi A lateral view B head in full-face view C dorsal view of minor worker CASENT 0217306 D distribution map.