Camponotus becki Santschi, 2022

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 becki Santschi stat. nov.

Figs 27A , 45

Camponotus radamae st. becki Santschi, 1923: 292. Syntype workers, Madagascar (R. Beck) ( MHNG) [examined]; 1 syntype minor worker designated as lectotype, by present designation, AntWeb CASENT0101992 ( MHNG) [examined]. Paralectotype major worker CASENT0101777 ( MHNG) [examined]. [First available use of Camponotus (Myrmoturba) maculatus r. radamae var. becki Forel, 1914: 251; unavailable name]. Stat. nov. The worker specimens that are the basis of the unavailable name Camponotus (Myrmoturba) radamae st. becki var altior Santschi, 1923: 292 from Madagascar, Monts Andringitra, point culminant de l’île (Descarpentries) are referred here, AntWeb CASENT0101100 ( NHMB) [examined].

Additional material examined.

Madagascar: Fianarantsoa: PN Andringitra, Plateau d’Andohariana, 35.9 km 205° Ambalavao , -22.15233, 46.89917, 2000 m, ericoid thicket (B.L. Fisher et al.) ( CAS); PN Andringitra, Plateau d’Andohariana, 39.8 km 204° Ambalavao, -22.18767, 46.90083, 2150 m, rubicole thicket at base of cliff (B.L. Fisher et al.) ( CAS); PN Andringitra, Plateau d’Andohariana, base of Pic d’Ivangomena, -22.2, 46.9, 2050 m, montane rainforest, (Goodman leg.) ( CAS); PN Andringitra, 8.5 km SE Antanitotsy, -22.16667, 46.96667, 1990 m, montane rainforest (Sylvain) ( CAS) .

Diagnosis.

With head in full-face view, lateral margins of head anterior to eye level parallel and lacking erect hairs, lateral cephalic margin rounding to posterior margin, anteromedian clypeal margin truncate; propodeal dorsum more or less straight and joining declivity surface at a broad angle; body color black to dark brown.

Description.

Minor worker. With head in full-face view, lateral margins anterior to level of eye parallel, rounding evenly to a straight posterior margin; eye more or less convex (EL/CS: 0.27 ± 0.02; 0.25-0.30), not breaking lateral cephalic margin, level of its posterior margin located generally at posterior 1/4 of head (PoOc/CL: 0.26 ± 0.01; 0.24-0.27); frontal carinae posteriorly parallel (FR/CS: 0.27 ± 0.01; 0.26-0.29); clypeus without well-defined anterolateral angle and with anteromedian margin broadly convex; mandible with two apical teeth distantly spaced; antennal scape relatively long (SL/CS: 0.27 ± 0.01; 0.26-0.29). Promesonotum weakly convex, mesopropodeum generally flat; mesonotum with posterior portion flat immediately anterior to a weakly visible metanotal groove; propodeal dorsum anteriorly convex and posteriorly flat, joining declivity blunt angle; propodeal dorsum 2 × as long as declivity. Petiolar node short and high, its dorsal margin rounding to anterior face, height of its anterior face 2/3 that of posterior face; femur of hind leg flattened laterally, twisted near base.

First and second gastral tergites usually without white spots; lateral margin of head without erect hairs; two erect hairs near posterior margin of head; antennal scape only covered with appressed hairs. Pronotum with a pair of erect hairs; posterodorsal angle of propodeum with a pair of erect hairs.

Major worker. With characteristics of minor worker except: enlarged head (CS: 2.80 ± 0.23; 2.54-2.96; CWb/CL: 0.97 ± 0.03; 0.94-1.00) with slight, medially concave posterior margin; apical 1/3 of antennal scape surpassing posterior cephalic margin; robust mesosoma, metanotum distinctly visible; propodeal dorsum same length as declivity; petiolar node flattened anteroposteriorly.

Distribution and biology.

Based on recent collection data, Camponotus becki is restricted to the ericoid thickets and montane rainforests of the PN Andringitra (Fig. 45 D ). The species has been found nesting under stones and foraging on the ground.

Discussion.

See discussion under C. asara . The taxonomic categorization of C. becki based on the study of qualitative morphology is supported by the NC-clustering method. This species is identified by LDA at 100% success.

Figures

Figure 27. Head in full-face view A C. becki (CASENT 0071380) B C. asara (CASENT 0493252).

Figure 45. Camponotus becki A lateral view B head in full-face view C dorsal view of minor worker CASENT 0071380 D distribution map.