Crematogaster (Physocrema) aurita Karavajew

Hosoishi, Shingo & Ogata, Kazuo, 2009, A taxonomic revision of the Asian endemic subgenus Physocrema of the genus Crematogaster (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), Zootaxa 2062, pp. 15-36 : 20-21

Crematogaster (Physocrema) aurita Karavajew

( Figs 2 , 11 , 23 )

Crematogaster (Physocrema) aurita Karavajew, 1935: 92 , fig. 18. Lectotype and two paralectotypes from CAMBODIA: Pursat, “Westufer des Grand lac”, 10. iii. 1930, Nr 5778 (K. Davydov) (UASK) [examined]. Lectotype designation and redescription of type material: Hosoishi & Ogata 2008: 3.

Measurements and indices. HW 0.95–1.84; HL 0.89–1.8; CI 102–110; SL 0.91–1.4; SI 76–96; EL 0.22–0.34; PW 0.5–1.04; WL 1.07–2.13; PSL 0; PtL 0.31–0.62; PtW 0.23–0.48; PtH 0.16–0.32; PpL 0.18–0.42; PpW 0.26–0.49; PtHI 50–52; PtWI 74–80; PpWI 117–146; WI 100–112 (Three workers measured).

Description of worker. Workers with pronounced size polymorphism.

Scape of large workers not reaching posterior corner of head.

In lateral view, pronotum and mesonotum forming a single convexity; mesonotum differentiated from pronotum in large workers; propodeum slightly raised relative to promesonotum. Anterior margin of pronotal collar slightly concave in dorsal view. Metanotal groove almost straight in dorsal view, not so deep and situated slightly posterior to the posterior ridge of pronotum in lateral view; thorax not strongly constricted in middle in dorsal view. In dorsal view, no longitudinal rugulae connecting between mesonotum and propodeum; the boundary distinct. Propodeal spiracle situated near the metapleural gland orifice, the distance between them about the same as the propodeal spiracle diameter. Propodeal spines absent.

Clypeus sculptured with longitudinal rugulae. Dorsal face of head covered with abundant longitudinal rugulae. Propodeal and metapleural area more or less smooth and shining in small workers, but distinctly rugulose and punctate in large workers.

Standing pilosity abundant, some pairs on dorsal face of head and abundant on dorsal portion of mesonotum. Dorsal face of head with appressed setae. Clypeus with short and long setae. Fourth abdominal tergite with suberect and appressed setae.

Body bicolored with head, promesonotum, petiole, postpetiole, gaster and legs dark-brown and with metanotal and propodeal area red-brown.

Distribution. This species is known from Indochinese Peninsula; Vietnam (southern parts), Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand (except for southern parts) ( Fig. 23 ).

Remarks. This specis is similar to inflata in the coloration, but can be distinguished by the rugulae on the clypeus and the sculptured body.

Specimens examined. VIETNAM: 1 worker, Phan truong 5, Huii Lien, Cat Tien, 9. v. 2003 (B. T. Viet). LAOS: 2 workers, Ang Nam Ngum, 24. viii. 2003 (Y. Ochiai). THAILAND: 2 workers, Huai Tak, Lumpang Prov., 26. ix. 1999 (no collector’s name).; 1 worker, Huai Tak, Lumpang Prov., 7. vii. 1999 (no collector’s name); 1 worker, Huai Tak, Lumpang Prov., 8. vii. 1999 (no collector’s name); 1 worker, Mixed Dec. forest, Thampati Nat. Park, 8. viii. 1999 (no collector’s name); 3 workers, Wangchin plantation, Phrae Prov., 22. ix. 2000 (D. Wiwatwitaya); 2 workers, Teak plantation, Lumpang Prov., 15. v. 2004 (D. Wiwatwitaya); 3 wokers, Pukae Botanical Garden, Saraburi Prov., 1. vii. 2002 (TH02-SKY-26) (Sk. Yamane); 1 worker, Pukae Botanical Garden, Saraburi Prov., 15. vi. 2002 (C. Bourmas); 1 worker, Pukae Botanical Garden, Sraburi Prov., 1. vii. 2002 (D. Wiwatwitaya); 4 workers, Kalasin, 29. xii. 1997 (K. Ogata); 4 workers, Maegar, Phayao, 11. vii. 1990 (no collector’s name); 4 workers, Maegar, Phayao, 30. iii. 1991 (no collector’s name); 4 workers, Maeklong, 29. xi. 2003 (N. Matsushita); 6 workers, Maeklong Watershed Research Station, Kanchanaburi Prov., 29. xi. 2003 (TH03-SKY-147) (Sk. Yamane); 4 workers, Srinakarin Dam NP, 150–200m alt., Kanchanaburi Prov., 29. vi. 2002 (TH02-SKY-37) (Sk. Yamane).

Figures

FIGURES 1 − 2. Clypeus in dorsal view: 1 — C. (P.) inflata; 2 — C. (P.) aurita. White arrow indicates anterolateral margin of clypeus.

FIGURES 10 − 17. Physocrema species in lateral view. Scale bars are all 0.5 mm. 10 — C. (P.) ampullaris, [Sampulage (1000 m), nr Mangktana, S. Sulawesi]; 11 — C. (P.) aurita, [Maeklong Watershed Research Station, Kanchanaburi Prov.]; 12 — C. (P.) difformis, [Lambir N. P., Miri, Sarawak, Borneo]; 13 — C. (P.) inflata, [Ulu Gombak, Malay Peninsula]; 14 — C. (P.) mucronata, [Satar’s House, Ulu Gadut, nr Padang, Sumatra]; 15 — C. (P.) onusta, [Barito Ulu 150 m alt., Kalimantanm]; 16 — C. (P.) physothorax, [Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Forest, Malay Peninsula]; 17 — C. (P.) sewardi, [7 miles, Cameron Highland, Malay Peninsula].

FIGURES 21 – 26. Distribution of Physocrema species in Southeast Asia. 21 — All Physocrema species; 22 — C. (P.) ampullaris; 23 — C. (P.) aurita; 24 — C. (P.) difformis; 25 — C. (P.) inflata; 26 — C. (P.) mucronata.