Camponotus peleliuensis, Clouse, R. M., 2007

Clouse, R. M., 2007, New ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Micronesia., Zootaxa 1475, pp. 1-19 : 9-10

Camponotus peleliuensis n. sp.

Plates 3B -D

HOLOTYPE WORKER: TL 4.80, HL 1.67, HW 1.50, CI 90, SL 1.17, SI 78, PW 1.07, ML 0.63. Mandible outer margin strongly curving, apical tooth pointing back toward other mandibular insertion. Clypeus no lower than mandibular insertions, slightly concave across. Median clypeus dipping to point away from the vertex, medial carina on frons distinct but not past frontal lobes. Antennal insertions separated from clypeus by distance slightly more than distance from the insertions to medial carina. Head square in front view, tapering slightly toward mandibular insertions, flat across vertex. Midpoint of eyes located down from the vertex one third the distance from the vertex to the mandibular insertions, their outer margins separated from the sides of the head by a distance less than width of distal scape. Antennae 12-segmented, scape extending beyond vertex by 1/6 their length. Mesosoma broad and shallow in profile, sloping from anterior pronotum to the posterior propodeum, having a slight metanotal groove and promesonotal suture, and distinct but slight propodeal declivity. Petiole only as tall as long, anterior edge rising same distance as peduncle length, then sloping up for a distance slightly less than height of posterior face. Color: Overall dark reddish brown, grading to orange brown at distal coxae, proximal scapes, and anterior head; mandibles concolorous orange. Gaster with distinct, grey stripes made by clear strips on each posterior tergite; strips as wide as width of hind tibia. Pilosity: Head, mesosoma, and gaster with layer of fine, recumbent, silver hairs, interspersed with long, standing hairs. Head with long hairs on frons, central clypeus, and below eyes and around mandibular insertions. Standing hairs vary in height, but pair closest to vertex as long as the maximum width of eyes. Mesosoma with three to four long hairs each on the pronotum, mesonotum, and propodeum. Petiolar node with four long, backward-pointing hairs arranged in two pairs, one on each side of highest point; inner hairs slightly shorter than outside ones. Each gastral tergite with about ten long, silver hairs immediately anterior to grey strip on posterior edge. In addition, two adjacent pairs of long hairs lie in a line along middle of each tergite. Sculpturing: Head covered with distinct but fine punctures; body with delicate whorls.

PARATYPE WORKERS: TL 4.30-4.70, HL 1.10-1.30, HW 1.13-1.20, CI 87-106, SL 1.20-1.33, SI 97- 118, PW 0.87-0.93, ML 0.40-0.50. Although the holotype worker is the oldest and best curated specimen, it is a major worker and differs from the more common minors in certain key respects. Coloration of minors more overall matte back, which contrasts more sharply with orange proximal scapes and mandibles. Head entirely black, except for small area around mandibular insertions. Pilosity of head in minors lacking long, thick hairs between eyes and mandibular insertions. Head more tapered than holotype, and scapes longer.

Similar species: As with C. marianensis above, this thick-headed, dark species has many similar forms in the region. However, its squat petiole is the first point of departure from most other species, including C. japonicus Mayr 1866. Other features of C. peleliuensis that distinguish it are its square head in front view, lack of pilosity, smoothly curving dorsal mesosomal profile, and coloration.

Etymology: This species is named for its only known locality, Peleliu Island. It is dedicated to the U.S. Marine and Infantry soldiers who fought there in one of WWII’s most horrific battles. Indeed, the holotype was collected from the 13 km2 island less than a year after it was the scene of over 12,000 combat deaths.

Type locality: Peleliu Island, the Republic of Palau

Type series: Holotype worker: Palau: Peleliu I. (“ 45-10658 ,” Dorsey, Summer 1945, NMNH). Paratype workers (5): Palau: Peleliu I. (“ No. 1285 ,” Townes, 23-VII-46, NMNH)