Camponotus ursus Forel, 1886

Rasoamanana, Nicole & Fisher, Brian L., 2022, A taxonomic revision of the Malagasy endemic subgenus Mayria of the genus Camponotus (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) based on qualitative morphology and quantitative morphometric analyses, ZooKeys 1081, pp. 137-231 : 137

publication ID	https://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1081.71872
publication LSID	lsid:zoobank.org:pub:8ED559A3-F2D4-44F8-8A13-AF880D6B5A6C
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scientific name	Camponotus ursus Forel
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Treatment

Camponotus ursus Forel

Figures 2C View Figure 2 , 16A View Figure 16 , 17A View Figure 17 , 57 View Figure 57

Camponotus ursus Forel, 1886: ci. Lectotype minor worker, present designation, Madagascar (Forel), AntWeb CASENT0101374 (MHNG) [examined]. Paralectotype, one minor worker same data as lectotype but specimen coded as CASENT0101375 (MHNG).

Camponotus (Myrmobrachys) ursus Forel, 1912: 91; 1914: 271.

Camponotus (Myrmepomis) ursus Emery, 1920: 258.

Camponotus (Myrmopiromis) ursus Wheeler, 1922: 1053; Emery, 1925: 129; Bolton, 1995: 128, 131.

Worker diagnosis.

Integument shiny black; anterior margin of clypeus with short, rectangular lobe; dorsum of mesosoma with dense, decumbent, golden-yellow setae; gastral dorsum with widely distributed, short, subdecumbent setae.

Description of minor worker.

Medium-sized species. Absolute cephalic size (CS: 1.54 ± 0.19; 1.43-1.64). In full-face view, head somewhat longer than broad, narrower in front than behind, with slightly convex lateral and posterior sides (CWb/CL: 0.37 ± 0.02; 0.36-0.38). Eyes elliptical, sublateral at midpoint from the lateral sides (PoOC/CL: 0.07 ± 0.02; 0.06-0.08). Mandibles triangular with six teeth. Clypeus not carinate, produced into a short, rectangular lobe. Antennal scape long, surpassing the occiput by the length of one basal funiculus. (SL/CS: 0.38 ± 0.02; 0.37-0.39). In lateral view, dorsal contour of mesosoma smoothly convex, humeral angle broadly rounded; in dorsal view, mesonotal suture distinct but not impressed, mesonotal suture obsolete so that mesonotum and propodeum are fused together, propodeum with convex base and sloping declivity (MPH/ML: 0.18 ± 0.02; 0.16-0.19). Petiole narrow, cuneate in profile, with short anterior face tapering dorsally to the flattened posterior face, its border rather sharp, produced upwards as a blunt angle in the middle. Head dorsum finely reticulate-punctate with shallow, sparse punctures; occipital region transversally striate-reticulate; lateral face of mesosoma, declivitous face, and petiolar face finely strigulate; legs finely reticulate; dorsum of mesosoma finely reticulate-striate-punctate with sparse excavation from which one suberect setae arises. Dorsum of gastral tergite finely striate-reticulate transversally, with sparse, small punctures. Mandible finely rugose with sparse, large punctures. Hairs golden yellow, the former abundant, long, and bending forward on entire mesosoma dorsum; suberect, short, and sparsely distributed on gastral tergites; the latter short and conspicuous on the abdominal segment, five pairs of erect hairs present on vertex. Body shiny black; scape, two basal funiculi, mandible, tarsi, and tibiae reddish.

Description of major worker.

Characteristics of minor workers, except: head as broad as long, with occipital and lateral margin almost straight (CS: 2.14 ± 0.15, 2.00-2.39; CWb/CL: 0.89 ± 0.07, 0.84-1.03). Eyes circular, placed dorsally next to the vertex (PoOC/CL: 0.23 ± 0.01, 0.21-0.24). Anterior clypeal margin forms a short, rounded lobe (ClyL/GPD: 1.03 ± 0.41, 0.73-1.78). Antennal scape short, just reaching the occipital border (SL/CS: 0.82 ± 0.03, 0.78-0.86). Dorsal outline of mesosoma almost flat, propodeum dorsum naked and the same length as the sloping declivity.

Distribution and biology.

Camponotus ursus is found in two different habitats: primary forest in the eastern portion and urban/garden areas in the central highlands of Madagascar (Fig. 58F View Figure 58 ). It is found foraging on low vegetation or inside branches above the ground. It occurs at altitudes above 1,200 meters.

Discussion.

Camponotus ursus is recognizable within the C. darwinii species group on the basis of its distinct mesosomal pilosity. In addition, it is the only species with reddish brown basitarsi. However, C. ursus is unlikely be confused with C Camponotus darwinii for several reasons. First, the body of the latter is much larger. Second, the head and gastral segment of C. ursus are covered with fine, short, sparse, and yellowish setae, giving the ant a glossy appearance that is completely different than that of C. darwinii.

Additional material examined.

Province Antananarivo: Ambatomanjaka; Miarinarivo, -18.766947, 46.869107, 1343 m (MHNG); Ankazobe, -18.31617, 47.11583, 1241 m (BLF) (CAS). Province Toamasina: Manakambahiny Atsinanana, -17.75, 48.71667 (A. Pauly) (CAS).