Camponotus bozaka, Rakotonirina & Fisher, 2022

Rakotonirina, Jean Claude & Fisher, Brian L., 2022, Revision of the Malagasy Camponotus subgenus Myrmosaga (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) using qualitative and quantitative morphology, ZooKeys 1098, pp. 1-180 : 1

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 × 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.

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.

Figures

Figure 26. Posterior portion of mesosoma, petiolar node, and gaster in lateral view A C. bozaka (CASENT 0217309) B C. atimo (CASENT 0454042).

Figure 28. Mesosoma and petiolar node in lateral view A C. asara (CASENT 0493252) B C. bozaka (CASENT 0217309).

Figure 48. Camponotus bozaka A lateral view B head in full-face view C dorsal view of holotype minor worker CASENT 0217309 D distribution map.