Crematogaster (Physocrema) inflata F. Smith

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 : 23-24

Crematogaster (Physocrema) inflata F. Smith

( Figs 1 , 13 , 25 )

Crematogaster inflatus F. Smith 1857: 76 . LECTOTYPE worker from SINGAPORE (left OXUM worker of TYPE HYM: 1016 3-4 / 5) (by present designation) and four paralectotype workers: one paralectotype worker from SINGAPORE (OXUM) and three paralectotype workers from MALAYSIA: Sarawak, Borneo (BMNH) [examined]. Combination in C. ( Physocrema ) by Forel, 1912: 220. Description of queen by Santschi, 1928: 128. Crematogaster (Physocrema) moorei Donisthorpe, 1941: 225 . Holotype worker from PHILIPPINES: Bagnio, Luzon, (A. Moore) (BMNH) [examined]. Syn. nov.

et al.

Measurements and indices. HW 0.86–1.08; HL 0.85–1.05; CI 101–103; SL 0.85–0.96; SI 89–98; EL 0.20–0.22; PW 0.61–0.66; WL 1.18–1.34; PSL 0; PtL 0.32–0.38; PtW 0.23–0.27; PtH 0.16–0.19; PpL 0.18–0.20; PpW 0.24–0.30; PtHI 46–50; PtWI 67–71; PpWI 139–147; WI 106–110 (Three workers measured).

Description of worker. Workers polymorphic in size.

Scape exceeding posterior corner of head even for large workers.

In lateral view, pronotum convex; mesonotum and propodeum forming a single convexity. Anterior margin of pronotal collar distinctly concave in dorsal view. Metanotal groove slightly convex in dorsal median portion, not so deep and situated almost in the same line with 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 except for median portion. Propodeal spiracle situated near the metapleural gland orifice, the distance between them about the same as the propodeal spiracle diameter. Propodeal spines absent.

Clypeus smooth and shining without longitudinal rugulae. Integument smooth and shining.

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

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

Distribution. This species is a wide-ranging species found from southern Thailand and Malaysia (Peninsula and Borneo) to the Philippines ( Fig. 25 ).

Remarks. The bicolored pattern of yellow and red-brown is distinctive and unique to this species. This coloration is possibly a model in Batesian mimicry with other arthropods ( Maruyama et al. 2003; Ito et al., 2004).

Specimens examined. THAILAND: 3 workers, Bala-Hala WS, Narathiwat Prov., 20. x. 2003 (Y. Sittimul). MALAYSIA: 8 workers, Ulu Gombak, Malay Peninsula, 3. xii. 2005 (S. Hosoishi); 1 worker, Mulu (lowland), Sarawak, Borneo, 11. vii. 1993 (Sk. Yamane); 1 worker, Old Tower R., Lambir N. P., Miri, Sarawak, 25. i. 1993 (Sk. Yamane); 2 workers, 50 ha Plot, Lambir N. P., Miri, Sarawak, 7. i. 1993 (Sk. Yamane); 2 workers, Tower Reg., Lambir Miri, Sarawak, 3. i. 1998 (Sk. Yamane); 6 workers, nr. waterfall, Lambir N. P., Sarawak, 27. vi. 2004 (SR04-SKY-17) (Sk Yamane); 2 workers, Semengoh N. P., Sarawak, 18. iv. 1993 (Sk. Yamane); 1 worker, Gunong Rara Tamau, Sabah, 18. ii. 1997 (K. Eguchi). INDONESIA: 2 workers, Kutai Nat. Park, E. Kalimantan, 3. xii. 1988 (A. Suzuki); 2 workers, Bukit Soehart (UNMUL forest), E. Kalimantan, 12. viii. 1992 (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.