Crematogaster (Physocrema) physothorax Emery

Hosoishi, Shingo & Ogata, Kazuo, 2009, A taxonomic revision of the Asian endemic subgenus Physocrema of the genus Crematogaster (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), Zootaxa 2062, pp. 15-36 : 27-28

Crematogaster (Physocrema) physothorax Emery

( Figs 4, 5, 6, 16, 28)

Crematogaster deformis r. physothorax Emery, 1889: 506 . LECTOTYPE worker (by present designation) and one paralectotype worker from MYANMAR: Thagata, Tenasserim, iv. 1887 (Fea) (MCSN) [examined]. Combination in C. ( Physocrema ) by Emery, 1922: 140. Subspecies of difformis by Wheeler, 1919: 75; Emery, 1922: 140. Raised to species by Dalla Torre, 1893: 84; Bingham, 1903: 146; Hosoishi & Ogata 2008: 6.

Measurements and indices. HW 1.09–1.19; HL 0.97–1.13; CI 104–111; SL 0.89–1.01; SI 84–88; EL 0.20–0.23; PW 0.55–0.63; WL 1.12–1.39; PSL 0; PtL 0.32–0.38; PtW 0.23–0.28; PtH 0.16–0.19; PpL 0.19–0.24; PpW 0.24–0.26; PtHI 50–54; PtWI 71–83; PpWI 106–129; WI 90–106 (Three workers measured).

Description of worker. Workers monomorphic or weakly polymorphic in size.

Scape reaching posterior corner of head.

In lateral view, pronotum and mesonotum forming a single convexity; propodeum slightly raised relative to promesonotum. Anterior margin of pronotal collar slightly concave in dorsal view. Metanotal groove almost straight in dorsal view, not so deep and situated posteriorly to the posterior ridge of pronotum in lateral view; thorax not strongly constricted in middle in dorsal view. In dorsal view, a few longitudinal rugulae connecting between mesonotum and propodeum; but the boundary distinct. Propodeal spiracle situated near the metapleural gland orifice, the distance between them about the same as the propodeal spiracle diameter. Propodeal spines absent.

Clypeus sculptured with longitudinal rugulae. Integument essentially smooth and shining. Rugulae present on the anterior portion of dorsal face of head. Transverse rugulae present on the posterior portion of pronotum.

Standing pilosity sparse, a few pairs on dorsal face of head and promesonotum. Dorsal face of head with appressed setae. Clypeus with decumbent setae. Fourth abdominal tergite with appressed setae.

Body color black.

Distribution. This species is known from Malay Peninsula; Myanmar (southeastern parts), Thailand (southern parts) and Malaysia (Peninsula) ( Fig. 28 ).

Remarks. This species is very similar to C. (P.) onusta , but the dorsal portion of the pronotum is characteristic with transverse rugulae.

Specimens examined. THAILAND: 1 worker, Bala-Hala, Naratiwat Province, 25. ix. 2001 (O. Jodnok); 1 worker, Bala-Hala, Naratiwat Province, 25. ix. 2001 (R. Phoonjampa); 1 worker, Bala-Hala, Naratiwat Province, 29. ix. 2001 (S. Hasin). MALAYSIA: 5 workers, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Forest, Bangi, Selangor, 16. iii. 2005 (S. Hosoishi); 6 workers, 1 male, Ulu Gombak, 2. xii. 2005 (S. Hosoishi); 2 workers, 1 queen, Ulu Gombak, Selangor, 3. xii. 2005 (S. Hosoishi).

Figures

FIGURES 27 – 32. Distribution of Physocrema species in Southeast Asia. 27 — C. (P.) onusta; 28 — C. (P.) physothorax; 29 — C. (P.) sewardi; 30 — C. (P.) tanakai; 31 — C. (P.) vacca; 32 — C. (P.) yamanei.