A catalogue of the ants of Paraguay (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Author
Wild, Alexander L.
text
Zootaxa
2007
1622
1
55
journal article
10.5281/zenodo.179222
9584df9a-a4a2-49bb-a256-cb99776f4dc8
1175-5326
179222
Camponotus vagulus
Forel 1908
b.
NEW STATUS.
Camponotus fastigatus
subsp.
vagulus
Forel 1908b: 403
. [w
syntypes
examined, MHNG; São Paulo,
Brazil
(v. Ihering)]
Camponotus
(
Myrmaphaenus
)
fastigatus
subsp.
vagula
Forel. Emery 1925: 155.
Camponotus
(
Myrmaphaenus
)
fastigatus vagulus
Forel. Kempf 1972: 46
.
Camponotus fastigatus
has been interpreted broadly by Forel, Emery, and Santschi, who each named subspecies based on forms that are distinct from
C. fastigatus
in head shape, mesonotal structure, and pilosity. It is unlikely that any of these subspecies, including Forel’s
C. vagulus
, are truly conspecific as they maintain their differences in broad sympatry in southern South
America
.
With
minor
workers approaching only
3mm
in length,
Camponotus vagulus
is one of the smallest
Camponotus
in the region. This ant co-occurs with
C. fastigatus
throughout eastern
Paraguay
and shows similar associations with open or edge habitats. Both ants share a robust build, a strong medial clypeal carina, and short antennal scapes that in repose fall well short of the posterior cephalic margin. However, differences between the two are numerous. In full face view, the head of the
major
of
C. vagulus
is rectangular, over 1.1x longer than broad, with sides straight and subparallel, while the head of
C. fastigatus
is rounded, about as long as broad, with the sides clearly convex. The integument of
C.vagulus
over most of the body has little microsculpture, giving the ant a characteristic shiny appearance, while that of
C. fastigatus
is opaque. The pubescence of
C. vagulus
is shorter and more difficult to see than that of
C. fastigatus
, and the head of both worker castes in
C. vagulus
is lighter in color near the mandibular insertions. In light of the numerous differences in sympatry between the forms, the case for raising
C. vagulus
to species is unambiguous.