Camelomecia janovitzi, Barden and Grimaldi

Phillip Barden & David A. Grimaldi, 2016, Adaptive Radiation in Socially Advanced Stem-Group Ants from the Cretaceous, Current Biology 26, pp. 515-521 : 536-537

Camelomecia janovitzi, Barden and Grimaldi , New Species, Figs. S2A-C; S4A-C

Diagnosis: As for genus.

ZooBank LSID. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:5040EF0A-7286-4644-947E-EED4CF79E063

Description (gyne): all measurements in millimeters (mm).

Head: Elongate, broad posteriorly, narrowed anteriorly; head depth (length) (including clypeus) 2.26; width 1.03 at greatest (excluding eyes), 0.71 at narrowed apex. Prognathous, postgena with ventral declivity around cervical connection. Vertex of head rounded broadly. Eyes large and ellipsoid; 0.93 length, 0.41 width. Ocelli 0.10 in diameter, atop slightly raised cuticular ridge. Antenna with 12-segments: scape 0.37 in length; pedicel 0.16, flagellomeres I-X: 0.46, 0.36, 0.36, 0.33, 0.30, 0.30, 0.31, 0.29, 0.24, 0.31. Total antenna length 3.79. Antennomeres 4-11 with narrow base, apex broadened and asymmetrical, inner portion of apex extended and pointed, giving flagellum a slightly serrate appearance. Head capsule narrowed approximately 30% near anterior margin of eye and antennal socket. Frontal lobe originating medially near antennal sockets, bifurcating into two distinct ridges leading to anterior margin of head, flanking the clypeus base. Labrum 0.53 in length, 0.34 at greatest width near posterior margin, medially depressed, surface glabrous; extending 0.31 anteriorly between mandibles with narrowing lateral margins meeting 0.20 wide anterior margin at ~90° angle. Lateral edges of labrum possessing array of long, tapered setae directed anteriorly; anterior edge of labrum with more fine setae, ~ 5x shorter in length. Sharp, concave incision visible in lateral view separating gena into two separate pointed dorsal and ventral processes, accommodating lateral articulation of mandible. Mandible cup-like (inner surface strongly concave), length approximately 0.76, height 0.47 at greatest; developed primarily dorsoventrally, with some lateral bowing resulting in a bulging external surface; ventral edge largely flattened with single apical tooth, dorsal edge broadly rounded, external margin without setae or fine sculpturing, anterior portion of internal margin with many thick, pointed and scale-like setae ranging 0.07 to 0.21 in length; dorsoventral edge with fine serrate denticles. Basal-most region of mandible largely obscured by gena, appearing slightly rugose and narrowed. Maxillary palp with 5 segments, palpomere I-X length: 0.10, 0.11, 0.36, 0.36, 0.33, 0.36; Labial palp with 3 segments, last two segments 0.20 and 0.16 in length.

Mesosoma: Depth (maximum dorsoventral height) 2.03 from mesopleuron to mesonotum, Weber’s length 3.59. Length of individual dorsal scelrites: pronotum 0.46; mesoscutum 0.53; mesoscutellum 0.29; scutellum 0.86; metanotum distorted; propodeum 0.89. Pronotum and propleuron separated by deep sulci, both sclerites extending beneath occipital suture; propleuron ventrally expanded near head capsule and visible in lateral view; pronotum dorsally reduced near head, sharply expanding into broad collar posteriorly, coated in long and flattenened setae originating near posterior margin and extending to anterior-most edge of collar. Mesoscutum largely glabrous, with long anteriorly-projecting setae near anterior margin. Tegula broadly rounded. Scutellum with slightly elevated medial ridge. Wings damaged, partially obscured, though most of forewing venation visible. Mesopleuron and propodeum highly developed, together comprising ~70% of mesosoma in lateral view. Metapleuron narrow with distinct sulci, highly pilose, notably more so than mesopleuron or propodeum. Metapleural gland opening visible as narrow slit, having 3-4 fine upright setulae on ventral margin. Propodeum with steep anterior face, spiracle atop slight cuticular elevation. Procoxa broad, 0.97 long; protrochanter 0.40; profemur 1.56; protibia 1.23, sparsely setose; protibial spur well developed, laterally accompanied by four stiff setae in linear arrangement. Mesocoxa broad, 0.57 long; mesotrochanter 0.29; mesofemur 1.39, sparsely setose near apex; mesotibia 1.51 with occasional sharp setae; two mesotibial spurs, the larger approximately 1.3x in length. Metacoxa 1.11 long; metatrochanter 0.31; metafemur 2.03; metatibia 2.24; two metatibial spurs present, the larger approximately 1.3x longer with distinct brush. Trochantellus present; pretarsal claw with subapical tooth.

Metasoma: Largely obscured, total length approximately 4.57 including petiole. Petiole broad and pedunculate, 1.64 in length; attaches anteriorly at an approximate height of 0.40, sharply rising to an overall height of 1.16; gradually rounded dorsally; longitudinal sulcus highly developed; small sub-petiolar process present near anterior margin; posterior attachment broad 0.71 in height with longitudinal sulcus aligned with sulcus present on gastral segment I. Gastral segment I (abdominal segment III) with thick, dark sulcus, gradually pointed ventral projection present anteriorly. Gastral segment II obscured, apparently comprising majority of gaster length. Terminal regions of telescoped gastral segments III, IV, and V visible, each highly setose. Sting present.

Type: Holotype, AMNH Bu-TJ003, alate female. Myanmar: Kachin State dated to the Albian-Cenomanian boundary (ca. 99 Ma) [S10]. Housed at the American Museum of Natural History.

Etymology: Patronym in honor of Tyler Janovitz and his generosity with the type specimen.