Camponotus heidrunvogtae, Seifert, 2019

Seifert, Bernhard, 2019, A taxonomic revision of the members of the Camponotus lateralis species group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Europe, Asia Minor and Caucasia, Soil Organisms 91 (1), pp. 7-32 : 29-30

Camponotus heidrunvogtae sp. nov.

= Camponotus piceus sp. 2: Seifert (2007) = Camponotus sp. LONG: Seifert (2018)

Etymology. The species name is dedicated to Heidrun Vogt, the wife of Dieter Vogt who sponsored ant research in Senckenberg Museum of Natural History Görlitz and biodiversity research in general.

Type material. Holotype worker labeled ‘BOS: 43.5978°N, 17.7272°E / Jablanica, 210 m / Carpinus - Fraxinus wood/ A. Vesnic 2013.08.22 -54’ and ‘ Holotype Camponotus heidrunvogtae Seifert’; 2 paratype workers from the same nest as holotype, labeled ‘BOS: 43.5978°N, 17.7272°E / Jablanica, 210 m / Carpinus - Fraxinus wood/ A. Vesnic 2013.08.22 -54’ and ‘ Paratypes Camponotus heidrunvogtae Seifert’; 3 paratype workers from another nest, labeled ‘BOS: 43.5978°N, 17.7272°E / Jablanica, 210 m / Carpinus - Fraxinus wood/ A. Vesnic 2013.08.22 - 55’ and ‘ Paratypes Camponotus heidrunvogtae Seifert’; all material is stored in SMN Görlitz.

All material examined. A total of 13 nest samples with 32 workers were subject to NUMOBAT investigation: BOSNIA and HERCEGOVINA: Jablanica, 2013.08.22, types of C. heidrunvogtae n.sp., No 54, No 55 [43.598, 17.727, 210] . CROATIA: Jurevo , 1997.06.03, No 516 [44.92, 14.92, 48] ; Lukovo , 2005.05.30 [44.856, 14.893, 15] ; Pakostane , 2008.09.04 [43.910, 15.510, 18] ; Skradin , Krka , 2014.05.31, No 15 [43.817, 15.933, 11] ; Ugrini-8 road km N, 1997.06.04, No 560 [45.186, 14.767, 700] . GREECE: Corfou : Klimatia , 2013.06.06 [39.741, 19.790, 311] ; Corfou : Pandokrator , 2013.06.07 [39.748, 19.864, 736] ; Ritini-Elatochori , 2012.09.03 [40.303, 22.266, 748] . MONTENEGRO: Podgorica- 12 km NE, 2014.06.04, No 21 [42.546, 19.367, 131] ; NW of Lake Skadar, 2014.06.03, No 18 [42.304, 19.048, 152] .

Geographic range. The species seems to be restricted to the W Balkans, with a known geographic range covering only 120 000 km². Most of the known sites are along the Dinaric coast and the western slope of Dinaric mountains and all are situated below 1000 m.

Diagnosis ( Tab. 3 , key). This is the most easily identifiable species of the C. lateralis group. Its diagnostic characters are a combination of a very long scape, a narrow dorsal propodeal plane and a blackish head (see key). The major workers achieve a size larger than in any known species of the C. lateralis group.

Description (in contrast to Tab. 3 , all numerics given here are primary, not RAV-corrected data)

-- Minor worker ( Figs 14–16 ), data of 22 specimens: Larger than related species, CS 1140 ± 122 [979, 1427] µm. Head and scape relatively long, CL/CS 1.144 ± 0.021 [1.084, 1.170], SL/CS 1.113 ±0.051 [0.999, 1.167]. All surfaces of head, mesosoma and gaster with long erect setae. Extension of large scape diameter near to scape base strong, ScI 1.235 ± 0.041 [1.167, 1.341]. Dorsal plane of scape with occasional semi-erect or erect setae, nSc 0.9 ± 0.6 [0.5, 2.5]. Mesosoma rather narrow, MW/CS 0.759 ± 0.021 [0.707, 0.781]. Mesonotum and propodeum with, in terms of the C. lateralis group, many semi-erect to erect setae, nMn 6.5 ± 1.3 [4.0, 8.5], nPr 7.4 ± 1.6 [5.5, 11.5]. Dorsal propodeal plane narrow, PrW/CS 0.252 ± 0.016 [0.229, 0.284], in lateral view moderately convex, its median part a little higher than at level of its lateral edges (a difference to C. atricolor , piceus and dalmaticus ). Metanotal groove moderately deep, MGr/ CS 0.056 ± 0.006 [0.045, 0.076]. Surface of head capsule and mesosoma moderately shining, with clinker-like microsculpture, appearing at smaller magnifications as microripples with reticular component. This microrelief is deeper on dorsal propodeum and flatter on gaster. Distance of micro-ripples on dorsal area of 1st gaster tergite relatively small, RipD 8.35 ± 0.46 [7.44, 9.15] µm. Head, mesosoma, petiole and gaster blackish, pronotum occasionally reddish on its lateral or entire surface. Coxae and femora usually dark brown. Mandibles, antennae, distal part of femora, metatarsae and tarsae usually light reddish brown.

-- Major worker ( Figs 17–19 ) data of 10 specimens: Larger than related species, CS 1710 ± 162 [1494, 2022] µm. Head and scape relatively long, CL/ CS 1.025 ± 0.036 [0.967, 1.074], SL/ CS 0.864 ±0.050 [0.769, 0.919]. All surfaces of head, mesosoma and gaster with long erect setae. Extension of large scape diameter near to scape base even in large specimens still visible (at least suggested: ScI 1.096 ± 0.043 [1.058, 1.200]. Dorsal plane of scape with few semi-erect or erect setae, nSc 2.5 ± 1.2 [0.5, 4.5]. Mesosoma rather narrow, MW / CS 0.678 ± 0.023 [0.642, 0.710]. Mesonotum and propodeum with, in terms of the C. lateralis group, many semi-erect to erect setae, nMn 11.9 ± 1.6 [8.0, 14.0], nPr 10.6 ± 3.5 [5.0, 17.0]. Dorsal propodeal plane narrow, PrW/ CS 0.237 ± 0.013 [0.224, 0.263], in lateral view only very feebly convex, its median part a little higher than at level of its lateral edges. Metanotal groove moderately deep, MGr/ CS 0.049 ± 0.011 [0.039, 0.073]. Vertex with the bases of setae formed as deep foveolae. Surface of head capsule and mesosoma moderately shining, with clinker-like microsculpture, appearing at smaller magnifications as microripples with a reticular component. This microrelief is much flatter on gaster. Distance of micro-ripples on dorsal area of 1st gaster tergite relatively small, RipD 8.82 ± 0.75 [7.80, 9.67] µm. Head, mesosoma, petiole and gaster blackish, entire pronotum occasionally (but its lateral part frequently) reddish. Coxae and femora usually blackish brown. Mandibles dark reddish brown, antennae, distal part of femora, metatarsae and tarsae usually medium reddish brown.

Biology. The species was found in open xerothermous habitats which showed much surface coverage by rock or scree. Nests were also found at open, sunny spots within broad-leaved forest ( Quercus , Carpinus , Fraxinus ). Nest were under stones or in soil. According to Adi Vesnic, the species is more thermophilic than sympatrically occurring C. piceus . This assessment on the microclimatic scale is in agreement with macroclimatic data.

Figures

Figure 14. Head of the neotype minor worker of Camponotus piceus.

Figure 15. Lateral aspect of the neotype minor worker of Camponotus piceus.

Figure 16. Dorsal aspect of the neotype minor worker of Camponotus piceus.

Figure 17. Head of a large minor worker of Camponotus heidrunvogtae n.sp., holotype.

Figure 18. Lateral aspect of large minor worker of Camponotus heidrunvogtae n.sp., holotype.

Figure 19. Dorsal aspect of large minor worker of Camponotus heidrunvogtae n.sp., holotype.