Camponotus vagulus Forel, 2007

Wild, A. L., 2007, A catalogue of the ants of Paraguay (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)., Zootaxa 1622, pp. 1-55 : 50

publication ID

21367

DOI

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6239934

persistent identifier

https://treatment.plazi.org/id/DE61563D-4D10-5E62-2457-6754C747C826

treatment provided by

Thomas

scientific name

Camponotus vagulus Forel
status

NEW STATUS

Camponotus vagulus Forel   HNS 1908b. NEW STATUS.

Camponotus fastigatus subsp. vagulus Forel   HNS 1908b: 403. [w syntypes examined, MHNG; São Paulo, Brazil (v. Ihering)]

Camponotus (Myrmaphaenus) fastigatus subsp. vagula Forel   HNS . Emery 1925: 155.

Camponotus (Myrmaphaenus) fastigatus vagulus Forel   HNS . Kempf 1972: 46.

Camponotus fastigatus   HNS has been interpreted broadly by Forel, Emery, and Santschi, who each named subspecies based on forms that are distinct from C. fastigatus   HNS in head shape, mesonotal structure, and pilosity. It is unlikely that any of these subspecies, including Forel’s C. vagulus   HNS , 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   HNS is one of the smallest Camponotus   HNS in the region. This ant co-occurs with C. fastigatus   HNS 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   HNS is rectangular, over 1. 1x longer than broad, with sides straight and subparallel, while the head of C. fastigatus   HNS is rounded, about as long as broad, with the sides clearly convex. The integument of C.vagulus   HNS over most of the body has little microsculpture, giving the ant a characteristic shiny appearance, while that of C. fastigatus   HNS is opaque. The pubescence of C. vagulus   HNS is shorter and more difficult to see than that of C. fastigatus   HNS , and the head of both worker castes in C. vagulus   HNS 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   HNS to species is unambiguous.

MHNG

Switzerland, Geneva, Museum d'Histoire Naturelle

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Arthropoda

Class

Insecta

Order

Hymenoptera

Family

Formicidae

SubFamily

Pseudomyrmecinae

Genus

Camponotus

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