Crematogaster madecassa Emery

Blaimer, Bonnie B., 2012, Taxonomy and species-groups of the subgenus Crematogaster (Orthocrema) in the Malagasy region (Hymenoptera, Formicidae), ZooKeys 199, pp. 23-70 : 39-42

Crematogaster madecassa Emery Figures 2728

Crematogaster sordidula var. madecassa Emery, 1895: 342. Worker and queen syntypes from MADAGASCAR: Diego-Suarez (Ch. Alluaud) [MSNG, examined]. Combination in Crematogaster ( Orthocrema ): Wheeler, W.M. 1922:1024. Subspecies of sordidula: Wheeler, W.M. 1922:1024. Raised to species: Emery, 1912: 668; Emery, 1922:131.

Type material examined

(MSNG). MADAGASCAR: Antsiranana: Diego-Suarez: [-12.26670, 49.28330] (Ch. Alluaud), CASENT0102053, CASENT0102054 and CASENT0101933. Lectotype worker by present designation: lower specimen of 2 workers on one pin, CASENT0102054 (image on AntWeb).

Other material examined

(CASC, PSWC, MSNG, MCZC). MADAGASCAR: Antsiranana: Sakalava Beach: -12.26278, 49.39750, 10m (R. Harin’Hala); 7 km N Joffreville: -12.33333, 49.25000, 360m (R. Harin’Hala); R.S. Ambre: -12.46889, 49.24217, 325m (B.L.Fisher et al.); P.N. Montagne d’Ambre: -12.50035, 49.17500, 885m; -12.53444, 49.17950, 925m (B.L.Fisher et al.); R.S. Manongarivo: -13.96167, 48.43333, 400m; -13.97667, 48.42333, 780m; -13.99833, 48.42833, 1175m (B.L.Fisher et al.); Ampasindava, Ambilanivy: -13.79861, 48.16167, 600m (B.L.Fisher et al.); Nosy Bé, R.N.I. Lokobé: -13.41944, 48.33117, 30m (B.L.Fisher et al.); F Andavakoera: -13.11833, 49.23000, 425m (B.L.Fisher et al.); F Antsahabe: -13.21167, 49.55667, 550m (B.L.Fisher et al.); F Binara: -13.25500, 49.61667, 375m; -13.26333, 49.60333, 650-800m (B.L.Fisher et al.); F Analabe: -13.08333, 49.90833, 30m (B.L.Fisher et al.); F Bekaraoka: -13.16667, 49.71000; 150m (B.L.Fisher et al.); F Ampondrabe: -12.97000, 49.70000, 175m (B.L.Fisher et al.); Montagne d’Akirindro: -15.28833, 49.54833, 600m (B.L.Fisher et al.); 6.9 km NE Ambanizana: -15.56667, 50.00000, 825m (B.L.Fisher et al.); Montagne d’Anjanaharibe: -15.18833, 49.61500, 470-1100m (B.L.Fisher et al.); P.N. Marojejy: -14.43333, 49.78333, 450m; -14.43817, 49.77400, 488m; -14.43500, 49.76000, 775m (B.L.Fisher et al.); P.N. Marojejy [Manantenina]: -14.43667, 49.77500, 450m (B.L.Fisher et al.); R.N.I. Marojejy: -14.43583, 49.76056, 610m (G. Alpert); F Ambanitaza: -14.67933, 50.18367, 240m (B.L.Fisher et al.); F Betaolana: -14.52996, 49.44039, 880m (B.L.Fisher et al.); P.N. Ankarana: -12.86361, 49.22583, 210m (B.L.Fisher); F Ambato: -13.46450, 48.55167, 150m (B.L.Fisher); F Anabohazo: -14.30889, 47.91433, 120m (B.L.Fisher et al.); 30km N Antalaha, Amboangy, -14.66480, 50.19070, 130m (G.Alpert); Fianarantsoa: P.N. Andringitra: -22.23333, 47.0000, 825m (B.L.Fisher et al.); F Vevembe: -22.79100, 47.18183, 600m (B.L.Fisher et al.); Rés. Marotandrano: -16.28322, 48.81443, 865m (B.L.Fisher et al.); R.S. Manombo: -23.01580, 47.71900, 30m (B.L.Fisher et al.); Mahabo [ Rés. Forestière d’Agnalazaha]: -23.19383, 47.72300, 20m (B.L.Fisher et al.); Mahajanga: PN Ankarafantsika (Ampijora): -16.32083, 46.81067, 130m (B.L.Fisher et al.); Toamasina: P.N. Mananara-Nord: -16.45500, 49.78750, 225m (B.L.Fisher et al.); RS Ambatovaky: -16.81739, 49.29402, 360m; -16.77274, 49.26551, 450m; -16.81209, 49.29216, 460m; -16.77020, 49.26638, 470m; -16.76330, 49.26692, 520m (B.L.Fisher et al); F Ambatovy: -18.84950, 48.29470, 1010m; F.C. Sandranantitra: -18.04833, 49.09167, 450m (B.L.Fisher et al.); Rés. Betampona: -17.92400, 49.19967, 390m; -17.88667, 49.20250, 520m (B.L.Fisher et al.); F Kalalao [Ile St.Marie]: -16.92250, 49.88733, 100m (B.L.Fisher et al.); F Sahafina: -18.81445, 48.96205, 100m; Rés. Ambodiriana: -16.67233, 49.70117, 125m (B.L.Fisher et al.); Forêt d’Analava Mandrisy: -16.48567, 49.84700, 10m (B.L.Fisher et al.); S.F. Tampolo: -17.28250, 49.43000, 10m (B.L.Fisher et al.); Toliara: F Ivohibe: -24.56900, 47.20400, 200m (B.L.Fisher et al.); P.N. Andohahela: -24.75850, 46.85370, 275m (B.L.Fisher et al.); 10km NW Enakara, Rés. Andohahela: -24.56667, 46.81667, 430m; 11km NW Enakara, Rés. Andohahela: -24.56667, 46.83333, 800m (B.L.Fisher); 6km SSW Eminiminy, Rés. Andohahela: -24.75000, 46.78330, 500m (P.S.Ward); 9km SSW Eminiminy, Rés. Andohahela: -24.73330, 46.80000, 330m (P.S.Ward); 2.7km WNW 302 º St.Luce: -24.77167, 47.17167, 20m (B.L.Fisher et al.); F Mandena: -24.95167, 47.00167, 20m (B.L.Fisher).

Worker measurements

(n=21). Lectotype worker: HW 0.54; HL 0.51; EL 0.13; SL 0.43; WL 0.54; SPL 0.13; PTH n.a.; PTL 0.17; PTW 0.16; PPL 0.10; PPW 0.17; LHT 0.40; CI 1.05; OI 0.26; SI 0.85; SPI 0.23; PTHI n.a.; PTWI 0.95; PPI 1.67; LBI 1.36.

Other material.

HW 0.48-0.60; HL 0.43-0.51; EL 0.10-0.14; SL 0.37-0.51; WL 0.44-0.63; SPL 0.08-0.14; PTH 0.09-0.14; PTL 0.14-0.22; PTW 0.12-0.22; PPL 0.09-0.14; PPW 0.13-0.21; LHT 0.33-0.52; CI 1.00-1.12; OI 0.22-0.27; SI 0.85-1.01; SPI 0.17-0.26; PTHI 0.55-0.72; PTWI 0.78-1.04; PPI 1.35-1.98; LBI 1.22-1.48.

Diagnosis.

Workers of Crematogaster madecassa can be distinguished from all other species treated here except Crematogaster telolafy by the presence of two distinct vertical carinae on the clypeus (Figure 16). From workers of Crematogaster telolafy , Crematogaster madecassa workers are distinguishable by their longer, more spiniform propodeal spines (Figure 18A) and longer antennal scapes. Queens of Crematogaster madecassa can be easily identified from queens of most species ( Crematogaster rasoherinae , Crematogaster volamena , Crematogaster mpanjono ) by the presence of propodeal spines. Crematogaster madecassa queens can be distinguished from Crematogaster razana queens by the absence of a median clypeal notch (present in Crematogaster razana queens). Note however that queens of Crematogaster telolafy are currently unknown and could be very similar morphologically to Crematogaster madecassa queens.

Worker description

(Figure 26 A–C). Very small species (HW 0.48-0.60, WL 0.44-0.63), with characters of the Crematogaster madecassa -group, in addition to the following. Clypeus with two distinct median vertical carinae; antennal scapes well surpassing posterior margin of head.

Metanotal groove constricted to less than half as wide as pronotal width; propodeal spines medium-sized (SPI 0.17-0.26) and straight, usually thin and acute, in lateral view directed upwards, in dorsal view moderately diverging; subpostpetiolar process usually present, often as acute minute tooth.

Promesonotum usually with 6 erect, long flexuous setae: 2 humeral setae, and 2 setae each at anterior and posterior end of mesonotal carinae. Color pale to medium yellow.

Intermediate worker measurements

(n=2). HW 0.82-0.85, HL 0.73-0.78, EL 0.18-0.19, SL 0.55-0.59, WL 0.89-1.01, SPL 0.20, PTH 0.18-0.19, PTL 0.31-0.33, PTW 0.27-0.28, PPL 0.19, PPW 0.28-0.31, LHT 0.60, CI 1.09-1.12, OI 0.24, SI 0.75, SPI 0.20-0.22, PTHI 0.59, PTWI 0.86, PPI 1.46-1.66, LBI 1.48-1.68.

Intermediate worker description

(Figures 27 E–G). Intermediate between workers and queens in size. Head, petiole and postpetiole characters similar to queens; ocelli present, but smaller than in queens; mesonotum is to various extent raised and fused dorsally over pronotum and has wing attachment sutures; otherwise mesosomal characters more similar to worker characters.

Queen measurements

(n=11). HW 0.87-1.03, HL 0.72-0.86, EL 0.24-0.32, SL 0.54-0.62, MSNW 0.66-0.92, MSNL 0.72-0.98, WL 1.28-1.53, SPL 0.06-0.21, PTH 0.19-0.26, PTL 0.38-0.49, PTW 0.30-0.39, PPL 0.21-0.28, PPW 0.34-0.42, LHT 0.65-0.81, CI 1.11-1.21, OI 0.29-0.37, SI 0.68-0.76, MSNI 1.55-1.87, SPI 0.04-0.14, PTHI 0.45-0.61, PTWI 0.68-0.91, PPI 1.42-1.69, LBI 1.87-2.08.

Queen description (Figure 28 A–C). Very small (HW 0.87-1.03, WL 1.28-1.53), with characters of the Crematogaster madecassa -group, in addition to the following.

Mesosoma more compact (MSNI 1.55-1.87, WL 1.28-1.53), mesoscutum in dorsal view almost as wide as long; propodeal spines present, much shorter than in workers (SPI 0.04-0.14).

Male unknown.

Distribution and biology.

Crematogaster madecassa is fairly widespread throughout the rainforests and littoral forests of northern, eastern and southeastern Madagascar (Figure 27D) and is found up to medium elevations (highest record from 1175m). It occurs widely in sympatry with Crematogaster rasoherinae , and at a few localities also with Crematogaster volamena , Crematogaster mpanjono and Crematogaster telolafy . There is evidence that Crematogaster madecassa nests both on the ground and arboreally, as collections have been made from rotten logs, as well as from dead twigs above the ground. As in Crematogaster rasoherinae (see above), intermediate workers are found in Crematogaster madecassa (Figure 27 E–F).