Camponotus simoni Emery, 1893

Dhadwal, Tarun & Bharti, Himender, 2023, Two new species of the genus Camponotus Mayr, 1861 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) with five new records from India, European Journal of Taxonomy 901 (1), pp. 1-51 : 27-32

Camponotus simoni Emery, 1893

Figs 16–18

Camponotus simoni Emery, 1893: 250 .

Camponotus dorycus simoni – Forel 1902: 288; 1908: 6.

Camponotus (Tanaemyrmex) simoni – Emery 1925: 90.

Diagnosis

This species resembles C. mitis (Smith, 1858) (major worker) but can be distinguished by its elongated head; the clypeal margin is shaped as a short lobe anteriorly truncate; the masticatory margin of mandibles with 6 teeth; the head and gaster are dark reddish-brown, with yellowish markings on the dorsal surface of the gaster; mesosoma, antennal flagella and legs are yellowish brown. While in C. mitis (major worker), the head is subtriangular in shape; the clypeal margin is shaped as a short lobe anteriorly transverse; the masticatory margin of mandibles bears 7 teeth; the head and scape are dark brown to black; the mesosoma, petiolar and gastral colouration is variable from yellow-brown to dark brown; the tibiae and tarsi are usually darker.

Material examined

INDIA • 14 workers, 1 ♀; Kerala, Parambikulum National Park ; 10.3834° N, 77.0831° E; elev. 600 m; 30 Jan. 2017; T. Dhadwal leg.; hand picking method; PUAC T121 to T135 .

Measurements

Major worker (n = 7)

HL 2.52–2.70; HW 2.05–2.13; EL 0.45–0.49; SL 2.74–2.87; PW 1.43–1.47; WL 3.07–3.19; MTL 2.13– 2.46; HTL 3.09–3.19; PL 0.65–0.69; PH 0.63–0.65; GL 2.46–2.58; TL 8.70–9.16; CI 78–81; SI 133– 134; REL 17–18; PrI 69–70.

Minor worker (n = 7)

HL 1.76–1.92; HW 0.77–0.94; EL 0.41–0.45; SL 3.07–3.15; PW 1.21–1.33; WL 2.95–3.11; MTL 2.21– 2.58; HTL 3.23–3.29; PL 0.57–0.61; PH 0.61–0.65; GL 2.13–2.27; TL 7.41–7.91; CI 43–48; SI 335– 398; REL 23; PrI 141–157.

Gyne (n = 1)

HL 2.79; HW 1.98; EL 0.68; SL 4.15; WL 4.46; MTL 2.41; HTL 3.03; PL 0.80; PH 1.05; GL 3.34; TL 11.39; CI 70; SI 209; REL 24.

Description

Major worker ( Fig. 16 )

HABITUS. In full-face view, head elongated, longer than broad (CI 78–81), posterior margin emarginated in the middle, occipital corners round, lateral margins convex anteriorly; clypeus carinate in the middle, clypeal margin produced as a short lobe anteriorly truncate; mandibles moderately broad with 6 teeth; eyes moderate in size, placed in front over the mid-length of the head; antennae long, slender and 12-segmented, scape long (SI 133–134), surpassing the posterior margin of head by ¹/5 of its length. In dorsal view, mesosoma elongated, pronotum anteriorly narrow (PrI 69–70) pro-mesonotal suture and metanotal groove distinct; mesonotum and propodeum compressed laterally; mesosoma strongly convex in lateral view; propodeal declivity slightly concave, propodeal spiracle round placed below the margin of propodeal declivity; petiole node thick, convex anteriorly and flat posteriorly, tapering towards the tip; tibiae compressed; gaster oval.

SCULPTURE. Head, mesosoma and gaster minutely reticulated and matte; mandibles smooth and shiny with scattered.

PILOSITY AND PUBESCENCE. Body pilose, long erect abundant yellowish hair on the vertex of head, mesosoma and gaster, a few short hairs present on anterior of head and clypeus; hind tibia without a row of spiny bristles on the ventral margin, but with 3–4 erect setae close to apical spurs.

COLOURATION. Head and gaster dark reddish brown, with yellowish stripes on the dorsal side of the gaster; mesosoma, antennomeres and legs yellowish brown.

Minor worker ( Fig. 17 )

All characteristics as of major worker except: in minor worker head is comparatively small (CI 43– 48) with round posterior margin and subparallel lateral margins converging anteriorly; clypeus margin anteriorly produced as a short round lobe; mandibles with 5 teeth; eyes moderate in size, placed laterally over the mid-length of the head; scape distinctly long (SI 335–398), surpassing posterior margin of head by half of its length; mesosoma short as compared to the major worker.

Gyne ( Fig.18 )

Similar to the major worker with few modifications indicating the caste and the following differences: head narrower (CI 70) with subparallel lateral margins, posterior margin straight; cephalic dorsum with 3 prominent ocelli; mandibles with 6 teeth; scapes surpassing the posterior margin of head by half of their length (SI 209); propodeal declivity smoothly convex; head, scutellum and gaster with erect or suberect hairs.

Global distribution

Sri Lanka (type locality).

Habitat

During the field survey, the species was collected from Karianchola (Parambikulam National Park), Kerala. The nest was located in the deep forest. It was mound type located above the ground shared by termites also. The association is not determined yet. On disturbing, the workers started coming out, otherwise, no foraging worker was observed. The region has an average daily temperature of 32°C and is comprised of intact tropical wet evergreen forest.

Relevance

This species represents a new record for India. Formerly it was reported from Sri Lanka. The gyne of the species is described for the first time

Figures

Fig. 16. Camponotus simoni Emery, 1893, major worker (PUAC T123). A. Head in full face view. B. Body in profile view. C. Body in dorsal view.

Fig. 17. Camponotus simoni Emery, 1893, minor worker (PUAC T127). A. Head in full face view. B. Body in profile view. C. Body in dorsal view.

Fig. 18. Camponotus simoni Emery, 1893, gyne (PUAC T133). A. Head in full face view. B. Body in profile view. C. Body in dorsal view.