Taxonomy and species-groups of the subgenus Crematogaster (Orthocrema) in the Malagasy region (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)
Author
Blaimer, Bonnie B.
text
ZooKeys
2012
199
23
70
http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.199.2631
journal article
http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.199.2631
1313-2970-199-23
Crematogaster razana
sp. n.
Figure 30
Type locality.
MADAGASCAR: Toliara: R.S. Kalambatritra: -23.4185, 46.4583, 1365m, grassland, under stone; 8.ii.2009; B.L.Fisher et al..
Type
specimen.
holotype worker:pinned, CASENT0149655, BLF21485; original locality label:
MADG'R
: Toliara: R.S. Kalambatritra:
23.4185°S
,
46.4583°E
, 1365m; grassland, 8.ii.2009; B.L.Fisher et al. BLF#; deposited at CASC.
Other material examined
(CASC). MADAGASCAR: Toliara: R.S. Kalambatritra: -23.45373, 46.45773, 1345m; -23.4185, 46.4583, 1365m (B.L.Fisher et al.); P.N. Andohahela: -24.9300, 46.6455, 300m (B.L.Fisher et al.).
Worker measurements
(n=3). Holotype: HW 0.54; HL 0.50; EL 0.13; SL 0.37; WL 0.53; SPL 0.07; PTH 0.12; PTL 0.18; PTW 0.15; PPL 0.12; PPW 0.16; LHT 0.38; CI 1.08; OI 0.26; SI 0.74; SPI 0.14; PTHI 0.68; PTWI 0.86; PPI 1.31; LBI 1.40.
Other material.
HW 0.49-0.56; HL 0.45-0.52; EL 0.12-0.14; SL 0.35-0.40; WL 0.45-0.54; SPL 0.05-0.07; PTH 0.10-0.12; PTL 0.15-0.19; PTW 0.14-0.16; PPL 0.08-0.11; PPW 0.14-0.17; LHT 0.34-0.40; CI 1.07; OI 0.26-0.27; SI 0.76-0.77; SPI 0.11-0.13; PTHI 0.64-0.67; PTWI 0.86-0.92; PPI 1.46-1.70; LBI 1.32-1.37.
Diagnosis.
A combination of protruding eyes and raised sharp lateral carinae on the propodeum (Figure 13) separates workers of
Crematogaster razana
from workers of
Crematogaster rasoherinae
and the
Crematogaster volamena
-group. From other species within the
Crematogaster madecassa
-group it can be identified by the lack of median vertical carinae on the clypeus (Figure 17) and the absence of long setae on the posterior end of the lateral mesonotal carinae.
Crematogaster razana
queens are diagnosed by a combination of the presence of very short propodeal spines, large protruding eyes (OI 0.31), and the presence of a median clypeal notch (Figure 20).
Worker description
(Figures 30
A-C
). Very small species (HW 0.49-0.56, WL 0.45-0.54), with characters of the
Crematogaster madecassa
-group, in addition to the following. Clypeus lacking median vertical carinae; antennal scapes just reaching posterior margin of head.
Metanotal groove constricted to about half the width of pronotum; propodeal spines short (SPI 0.11-0.14), in form of acute triangular points, distinctly directed upwards in lateral view, in dorsal view moderately diverging; subpostpetiolar process absent.
Face with no more than 4 erect, long flexuous setae; promesonotum with 4 erect, long flexuous setae: 2 humeral setae, and 2 setae at anterior end of mesonotal carinae (posterior setae absent). Color yellow to yellowish-brown.
Queen measurements
(n=1). HW 1.10, HL 0.91, EL 0.28, SL 0.65, MSNW 0.94, MSNL 0.98, WL 1.74, SPL 0.04, PTH 0.30, PTL 0.45, PTW 0.41, PPL 0.28, PPW 0.46, LHT 0.83, CI 1.21, OI 0.31, SI 0.71, MSNI 1.77, SPI 0.02, PTHI 0.66, PTWI 0.92, PPI 1.65, LBI 2.09.
Figure 30.
Crematogaster razana
, worker, queen and distribution.
A-C
worker (CASENT0149655) A full face B lateral C dorsal D distribution
E-G
queen (CASENT0148782) E dorsal F lateral G full face.
Queen description
(Figures 30
E-G
). Very small (HW 1.10, WL 1.74), with characters of the
Crematogaster madecassa
-group, in addition to the following. Clypeus with a median notch; antennal scapes just reaching posterior margin of head.
Mesosoma more compact (MSNI 1.77, WL 1.74); mesoscutum in dorsal view about as wide as long; propodeal spines reduced to minute dents (SPI 0.02).
Petiole with one pair of long flexuous setae posterior to denticles.
Male and intermediate
(if existing) unknown.
Distribution and biology.
Crematogaster razana
has only been collected at two localities in southern Madagascar (Figure 30B). One of these sites is a dry forest (west
ern
slopes of P.N. Andohahela), whereas the other collections were made in a montane grassland habitat (R.S. Kalambatritra). Since the few collections of this rare species have been made mostly on the ground (under stone, pitfall trap or on low vegetation), I assume that
Crematogaster razana
is ground-nesting. This species is sympatric with
Crematogaster rasoherinae
and parapatric or narrowly sympatric with both
Crematogaster madecassa
and
Crematogaster telolafy
in the Andohahela massif.
Etymology.
TheMalagasy word
"razana"
means ancestor and alludes to the isolated distribution of this species and its phylogenetic position within the
Crematogaster madecassa
-group. This name should be treated as a noun in apposition.