Revision of the Malagasy Camponotus subgenus Myrmosaga (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) using qualitative and quantitative morphology
Author
Rakotonirina, Jean Claude
Madagascar Biodiversity Center, BP 6257, Parc Botanique et Zoologique de Tsimbazaza, Antananarivo, Madagascar & Departement d'Entomologie-Culture, Elevage, Sante; Faculte des Sciences, BP 906, Universite d'Antananarivo, Antananarivo, Madagascar
jcrakoto25@yahoo.com
Author
Fisher, Brian L.
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4653-3270
Entomology, California Academy of Sciences, 55 Music Concourse Drive, San Francisco, CA 94118, USA
text
ZooKeys
2022
2022-05-03
1098
1
180
http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1098.73223
journal article
http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1098.73223
1313-2970-1098-1
B4F4033F296E43CCBE54B9413BC19268
B22184E75B1A59C9B985C0DD9F092196
Camponotus bozaka
sp. nov.
Figs 26A
, 28B
, 48
Holotype worker.
Madagascar
: Province
Fianarantsoa
: Parc National
d'Andringitra
, Plateau
d'Andohariana
, 39.8 km 204° Ambalavao,
-22.18767
,
46.90083
, 2150 m, rubicole thicket at base of cliff, under stone, 16 Apr 2006 (B.L. Fisher et al.) collection code: BLF13773, specimen code: CASENT0217309 (CAS).
Paratype.
1 major worker with same data as holotype but with specimen code CASENT0071370 (CAS).
Additional material examined.
Madagascar
:
Fianarantsoa
:
Manandriana I
Non Protected Area
,
27.11 km
SW Ambositra
,
-20.73194
,
47.09413
,
1590 m
, Savannah grassland (
A. Ravelomanana
) (CAS); Manandriana III
Non Protected Area
,
27.25 km
SW Ambositra
,
-20.73333
,
47.09391
,
1578 m
, Savannah grassland (
A. Ravelomanana
) (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)
.
Diagnosis.
With head in full-face view, lateral margin of head anterior to eye level parallel, lacking erect hairs; clypeus with noticeable anterolateral corner; in profile, petiolar node anteroposteriorly compressed.
Description.
Minor worker.
In full-face view, lateral cephalic margins anterior to level of eye approximately parallel, evenly rounding to posterior margin; eye protruding and large (EL/CS: 0.28
+/-
0.01; 0.26-0.30), breaking lateral cephalic margin, level of its posterior margin located at ca. posterior 1/4 of head (PoOc/CL: 0.25
+/-
0.01; 0.23-0.26); frontal carinae close to each other, their distance equal to or smaller than smallest distance of one to the eye (FR/CS: 0.28
+/-
0.01; 0.28-0.29); clypeus with anterolateral corners, its anteromedian margin broadly triangular or convex; mandible with two apical teeth normally spaced; antennal scape relatively short (SL/CS: 1.19
+/-
0.05; 1.08-1.25). Promesonotum weakly convex, mesopropodeum almost flat; mesonotum flat immediately anterior to metanotal groove; metanotal groove weakly visible; dorsal margin of propodeum straight and joining declivity at a noticeable angle, propodeal dorsum <2
x
as long as declivity. Petiolar node scalelike with sharp dorsal margin; femur of hind leg rounded axially and not twisted basally.
First and second gastral tergites without a pair of white spots; erect hairs on lateral margin of head not present; posterior margin of head with two erect hairs; with head in profile, four pairs of erect hairs arranged from level of anterior margin of eye to posterior cephalic margin; antennal scape covered only with appressed hairs; pronotum, mesonotum, and posterodorsal angle of propodeum with a pair of erect hairs.
Major worker.
Differing from minor worker in the following characters: enlarged head (CS: 2.07
+/-
0.18; 1.91-2.40; CWb/CL: 0.95
+/-
0.03; 0.90-0.98) with slightly concave to almost straight posterior margin; apical 1/3 of antennal scape extending beyond posterior cephalic margin; robust mesosoma with length of propodeal dorsum approximately the same as height of declivity.
Distribution and biology.
Known only from the south-central high plateau of Madagascar,
C. bozaka
occupies rubicole thicket,
Uapaca
woodland, savannah grassland, and shrubland habitats (Fig.
48D
). Worker specimens have been found foraging through leaf litter and on low vegetation. The nest sites are in the ground or under stones.
Figure 48.
Camponotus bozaka
A
lateral view
B
head in full-face view
C
dorsal view of holotype minor worker CASENT0217309
D
distribution map.
Discussion.
See discussion under
C. asara
. The taxonomic identity of
C. bozaka
based on conventional qualitative morphology is supported by multivariate morphometric analysis. The grouping shown by the morphometric dendrogram and confirmed by cumulative LDA at 100% success supports the existence of the species.
Etymology.
This new name
bozaka
is a singular non-Latin noun used in apposition and is derived from the Malagasy word for "dried grass" in reference to the abundant grassland where this species occurs.