Camponotus gouldi Forel, 1886

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 gouldi Forel

Figs 31A , 54 , 55

Camponotus egregius r. gouldi Forel, 1886a: iv. Holotype (by monotypy) major worker, Madagascar (Grandidier) [not examined, type not found]. Combination in Camponotus (Myrmogigas) : Forel, 1912: 91; in Camponotus (Dinomyrmex) : Forel, 1914: 268; in Camponotus (Tanaemyrmex) : Emery, 1925: 85. Raised to species: Dalla Torre 1893: 233; Forel 1897: 201; Forel 1904: 377.

Neotype major worker, by present designation.

Madagascar: Province Mahajanga: PN Ankarafantsika, Forêt de Tsimaloto, 18.3 km 46° NE de Tsaramandroso, -16.22806, 47.14361, 135 m, tropical dry forest, ground nest, 2-8 Apr 2001 (Fisher, Griswold & Malagasy Arthropod Team) collection code: BLF03536, specimen code: CASENT0437531 ( CAS).

Additional material examined.

Madagascar: Antananarivo: Analamanga Region, District of Ankazobe, Ambohitantely, 46 km NE of Ankazobe, -18.198, 47.2815, 701 m, Forêt sclerophylle ( Rin’Ha, Mike) ( CAS); Antsiranana: Ampasindava, Forêt d’Ambilanivy, 3.9 km 181° S Ambaliha, -13.79861, 48.16167, 600 m, rainforest (Fisher, Griswold et al.) ( CAS); SAVA Region, District of Vohemar, Antsahabelela Rain Forest, 9 km SW of Daraina, -13.2505, 49.61667, 182 m, humid Forêt (Mike, Rin’ha) ( CAS). Fianarantsoa: 8.0 km NE Ivohibe, -22.42167, 46.89833, 1200 m, montane rainforest (B.L. Fisher, Sylvain) ( CAS); PN Ampotoampoto III, 7.91 km NW Ilakaka, -22.62944, 45.189, 919 m, savannah woodland (A. Ravelomanana) ( CAS); Anja Reserve, -21.85358, 46.84903, 1085 m, rupicolous vegetation on granite outcrop (B.L. Fisher et al.) ( CAS); 1 km E of PN Isalo Interpretive Center, -22.62667, 45.35817, 885 m, dry wash (R. Harin’Hala) ( CAS); Forêt d’Analalava, 29.6 km 280° W Ranohira, -22.59167, 45.12833, 700 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); 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 (M. Irwin and Rin’ha Harin’hala) ( 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 ( Rin’Ha, Mike) ( CAS); Forêt Ambohimanga, 26.1 km 314° Mampikony, -15.96267, 47.43817, 250 m, tropical dry forest (B.L. Fisher) ( CAS); Forêt de Tsimembo, 8.7 km 336° NNW Soatana, -19.02139, 44.44067, 20 m, tropical dry forest (Fisher-Griswold Arthropod Team) ( CAS); Melaky Region, District of Besalampy, Marofototra dry forest, 17 km W of Besalampy, -16.72167, 44.42367, 51 m, dry wash in the dry forest (Irwin, Rin’ha) ( CAS); Melaky Region, District of Maintirano, Asondrodava dry forest, 15 km N of Maintirano, -17.96533, 44.0355, 6 m, dry forest (Irwin, Rinha) ( CAS); PN Ankarafantsika, Ampijoroa SF, 40 km 306° NW Andranofasika, -16.32083, 46.81067, 130 m, tropical dry forest (Fisher, Griswold et al.) ( CAS); PN Tsingy de Bemaraha, 10.6 km ESE 123° Antsalova, -18.70944, 44.71817, 150 m, tropical dry forest on Tsingy (Fisher-Griswold Arthropod Team) ( CAS); Réserve d’Ankoririka, 10.6 km 13° NE Tsaramandroso, -16.26722, 47.04861, 210 m, tropical dry forest (Fisher, Griswold et al.) ( CAS); Station Forestière Ampijoroa, -16.31667, 46.81667, 80 m, tropical dry forest (P.S. Ward) ( CAS). Toliara: [Androhomana]; Andranobory; Taolagnaro, -25.18333, 46.63333, 35 m (Sikora); 45 km NE Morondava, -20.05, 44.61667, 30 m, tropical dry forest (P.S. Ward) ( CAS); 50 km N Morondava, -20.06667, 44.58333, in primary dry forest (A. Pauly) ( CAS); 7.0 km 156° SSE Lavanono, -25.47111, 44.9885, 50 m, spiny forest/thicket (Fisher-Griswold Arthropod Team) ( 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); Anosy Region, Anosyenne Mts, 29.33 km NW Manantenina, -24.13993, 47.07418, 540 m, montane rainforest (B.L. Fisher, F.A. Esteves et al.) ( 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, -23.55275, 43.74471, 45 m, coastal scrub on limestone (B.L. Fisher, F.A. Esteves et al.) ( CAS); Atsimo-Andrefana Region, -23.45314, 43.76448, 20 m, coastal spiny bush on sandy soil (B.L. Fisher, F.A. Esteves et al.) ( CAS); Atsimo-Andrefana Region, Antsokay Arboretum, -23.41491, 43.75499, 13 m, spiny forest/thicket (B.L. Fisher, F.A. Esteves et al.) ( CAS); Fiherenana, -23.17694, 43.96083, 100 m, gallery forest (Frontier Project) ( CAS); FC Analavelona, 29.2 km 343° NNW Mahaboboka, -22.675, 44.19, 1100 m, montane rainforest (Fisher, Griswold et al.) ( CAS); Forêt de Beroboka, 5.9 km 131° SE Ankidranoka, -22.23306, 43.36633, 80 m, tropical dry forest (Fisher-Griswold Arthropod Team) ( CAS); Forét de Kirindy, -20.0671, 44.65723, 50 m (H. Wood & J. Miller) ( CAS); Forêt de Kirindy, 15.5 km 64° ENE Marofandilia, -20.06855, 44.65956667, 30 m, tropical dry forest (B.L. Fisher) ( 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 Mahavelo, Isantoria River, -24.75833, 46.15717, 110 m, spiny forest/thicket (Fisher-Griswold Arthropod Team) ( CAS); Forêt de Mite, 20.7 km 29° WNW Tongobory, -23.52417, 44.12133, 75 m, gallery 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); Grand Lavasoa, 25.9 km W Tolagnaro, -25.08767, 46.749, 450 m, rainforest edge (B.L. Fisher et al.) ( CAS); Mahafaly Plateau, 6.2 km 74° ENE Itampolo, -24.65361, 43.99667, 80 m, spiny forest/thicket (Fisher-Griswold Arthropod Team) ( CAS); Makay Mts., -21.26215, 45.17004, 505 m, Barren rock with sparse vegetation, burned grass (B.L. Fisher et al.) ( CAS); Makay Mts., -21.34228, 45.18314, 410 m, Gallery forest on sandy soil (B.L. Fisher et al.) ( CAS); Makay Mts., -21.20937, 45.25389, 505 m, short scrub, grass, on rocky hill (B.L. Fisher et al.) ( CAS); Makay Mts., -21.22284, 45.32477, 490 m, Gallery forest on sandy soil (B.L. Fisher et al.) ( CAS); Menabe Region, District of Morondava, Beroboka village 45 km NE of Morondava, Antsarongaza dry forest 07,5 km E of Beroboka, -19.9775, 44.66633, 50 m, dry forest (M. Irwin, Rin’ha) ( 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); Ranobe, -23.04642, 43.61015, 20 m, spiny forest/thicket (Frontier Wilderness Project) ( CAS); Ranobe-plateau, -23.00283, 43.70367, 30 m, grassland (Frontier Wilderness Project) ( CAS); RS Beza Mahafaly, Parcel 1, -23.65, 44.63333, 130 m, tropical dry forest (P.S. Ward) ( CAS); Réserve Privé Berenty, Forêt d’Anjapolo, 21.4 km 325° NW Amboasary, -24.92972, 46.20967, 65 m, spiny forest/thicket (Fisher-Griswold Arthropod Team) ( CAS); Réserve Privé Berenty, Forêt de Bealoka, Mandraré River, 14.6 km 329° NNW Amboasary, -24.95694, 46.2715, 35 m, gallery forest (Fisher-Griswold Arthropod Team) ( CAS); RS Cap Sainte Marie, 12.3 km 262° W Marovato, -25.58167, 45.16833, 200 m, spiny forest/thicket (Fisher-Griswold Arthropod Team) ( 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 N Ampotaka, malaise on trail in Vitambany gallery forest, -24.65033, 43.96317, 86 m, Gallery forest (M.E. Irwin, Rin’ha) ( CAS); 8 km N of Ambohimahavelona village, Ankazomena dry forest, -23.43033, 43.83417, 122 m, dry forest (M.E. Irwin, Rin’ha) ( CAS); Ambohimahavelona village 33 km NE of Tulear: Andoharano dry forest, -23.44083, 43.89967, 46 m, dry forest (M.E. Irwin, Rin’ha) ( CAS); Ambohimahavelona village 33 km NE of Tulear: private spiny bush, -23.44083, 43.89967, 43 m, spiny bush (M.E. Irwin, Rin’ha) ( CAS); PN Andohaela, Tsimelahy, -24.93683, 46.62667, 180 m, transition forest (M.E. Irwin, F.D. Parker, R. Harin’Hala) ( CAS); Andranovato, 5 km SE of Manombo, -22.81806, 43.50217, 18 m, Euphorbia forest (Fisher et al.) ( CAS); PN Andohahela, Ihazofotsy - Parcel III, -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, -22.90367, 43.4755, 30 m, deciduous dry forest (M.E. Irwin, F.D. Parker, R. Harin’Hala) ( CAS); Mikea 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); near road, PN Zombitse, -22.8405, 44.73117, 825 m, spiny deciduous 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); Makay, -21.35695, 45.19021, 401 m, xerophylic vegetation (J.M. Bichain) ( CAS).

Diagnosis.

With head in full-face view, lateral margins of head anterior to eye level parallel and lacking erect hairs, posterior portion of head extending into a neck and anteromedian clypeal margin continuously forming broad convexity; dorsal outline of mesosoma broadly convex; body color black to dark brown.

Description.

Minor worker. In full-face view, head sides anterior to level of eye approximately parallel; lateral cephalic margins posterior to level of eye converging posteriorly and projecting into short neck; eye medium (EL/CS: 0.24 ± 0.01; 0.23-0.26), protruding, and breaking lateral cephalic border, level of posterior margin located approximately at posterior 1/3 of head (PoOc/CL: 0.29 ± 0.02; 0.26-0.32); frontal carinae more or less wide posteriorly (FR/CS: 0.26 ± 0.01; 0.25-0.27), the same width as its smallest distance to eye; clypeus without anterolateral angle, anteromedian margin broadly rounded, mandible with two apical teeth distantly spaced; antennal scape relatively long (SL/CS: 1.56 ± 0.06; 1.44-1.66). Mesosoma presenting even convexity; promesonotum strongly convex, posterior portion of mesonotum flat immediately anterior to weakly visible metanotal groove; propodeal dorsum almost flat, its junction to declivity bluntly angulate; propodeal dorsum 3 × as long as declivity. Petiole nodiform, with dorsal margin inclined posteriorly, forming a blunt angle to anterior margin, medially excised at the junction to posterior margin, anterior face 1/2 height of posterior face, which is inclined anteriorly to the dorsum; femur of hind leg rounded axially, not twisted basally.

First and second gastral tergites without a pair of white spots; lateral margin of head without erect hairs; erect hairs lacking near the end of neck; antennal scape without suberect hairs and covered with short appressed hairs; pronotum with a pair of erect hairs; posterodorsal angle of propodeum without erect hairs.

Major worker. Characteristics the same as minor worker, except the enlarged head (CS: 5.19 ± 0.23; 4.89-5.51; CWb/CL: 0.98 ± 0.01; 0.97-1.00), which has no prolonged neck; the more strongly built mandible; antennal scape not extending beyond posterior cephalic margin; promesonotum convex; metanotal groove visible; propodeal dorsum feebly sloping towards declivity, its length the same as the height of declivity; petiolar node compressed anteroposteriorly.

Distribution and biology.

The dry forest of the west, the spiny forest and thicket of the southwest, the transitional humid forest in the PN Andohahela, the savannah shrubland and woodland, and the Uapaca woodland and montane rainforest of the south-central high plateau of Madagascar are all habitats where C. gouldi occurs (Fig. 55D ). This species nests mostly in rotten logs, in the ground, and under stones, rarely in rotting tree stumps and rotten sticks. Workers forage most often on the ground and seldom on lower vegetation.

Discussion.

Camponotus gouldi is mostly similar to C. aro , but the posterior portion of the head for the latter is normally rounded, not extending into a short neck, and the propodeal dorsum immediately posterior to the metanotal groove is convex, then becomes concave medially and rounds to the declivity surface.

For C. gouldi , the decisions drawn from qualitative morphology-based taxonomy agree with the classification hypothesis provided by the exploratory data analysis and the cumulative LDA of the multivariate morphometrics. The combination of this information corroborates the status of C. gouldi as a species.

Neotype designation has been made for C. gouldi because its type is presumed lost. No type specimen could be found at the renowned museums in Europe that might have held the specimen. One of the author BLF visited the Forel collection at MHNG, MNHN, NHMB, and MSNG and could not find the type for C. gouldi . Also, the type specimen appears to be absent from the little-known collection of Forel types at Naturmuseum Solothurn ( Germann 2017). Morphological characters that define the designated neotype are in accordance with the original description of the former holotype specimen. Since the original type locality was not precisely located within Madagascar, the new locality type has been chosen on the basis of where the species was most often collected across its geographical distribution.

Figures

Figure 31. Head in full-face view A C. gouldi (CASENT 0121617) B C. aro (CASENT 0489917).

Figure 54. Camponotus gouldi (neotype specimen) A lateral view B head in full-face view C dorsal view of major worker CASENT 0437531.

Figure 55. Camponotus gouldi A lateral view B head in full-face view C dorsal view of minor worker CASENT 0121617 D distribution map.