Camponotus fictor augustulus

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Camponotus fictor augustulus
Scientific classification (junior synonym of Colobopsis macrocephala)
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Formicidae
Subfamily: Formicinae
Tribe: Camponotini
Genus: Colobopsis
Species: Camponotus fictor augustulus
Viehmeyer, 1925

This taxon is not in use as it is currently considered to be a junior synonym of Colobopsis macrocephala.

Nomenclature

The following information is derived from Barry Bolton's Online Catalogue of the Ants of the World.

  • augustulus. Camponotus (Colobopsis) fictor subsp. augustulus Viehmeyer, 1925b: 145 (s.w.q.) AUSTRALIA. Material of the unavailable name continentalis referred here: Viehmeyer, 1925b: 145. Subspecies of macrocephalus: Bolton, 1995b: 87. Junior synonym of macrocephalus: McArthur & Shattuck, 2001: 38.

Unless otherwise noted the text for the remainder of this section is reported from the publication that includes the original description.

Description

Worker (major). The head is noticeable narrower than the type and less high, with mandibles included being a 1/4 longer than the width near the eyes, The truncate surface of the anterior head is even less sharply delineated and less concave than the type, the longitudinal grooves of the head and clypeus are much stronger. The scape just reaches the posterior border of the head (with the type it surpassed it by all least its greatest thickness). The thorax somewhat weaker, the angle of the epinotum is a little more rounded. In other respects like the type. Length 6-7.5 mm.

Worker (minor). The head is about 1/3 longer than wide. Anterior head only indistinctly truncate; clypeus wider to the front not narrowing, without a distinctly separated posterior piece. Eyes bigger the scape extends beyond the posterior border of the head by a segment (as with the type). Epinotum angle sharper, less rounded. Sculpture of the anterior head much weaker,also weaker than the type. Otherwise like the worker (major).Length 5.5 mm.

Worker. Head with the same length somewhat narrower than with the type; the scape protruding past the posterior margin of the head for only about 1/4 of its length (with the type about 1/3) Otherwise like the type. Length 4-5 mm.

Female, as the worker major but the scape protruding over the posterior of the head. Mesonotum and posterior head finely reticulate and softly shining, epinotum angle strongly rounded, the node of the petiole thicker. Gaster segments with wide blackish brown connective tissue. Wings missing. Length 8.5mm. -- Nest in a dry branch of a forest tree near Trial Bay. The shape which because of the narrower head is also distinguishable from sommeri, is especially interesting because of the dimorphism of the soldier cast.

References

  • Bolton, B. 1995b. A new general catalogue of the ants of the world. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 504 pp. (page 87, Subspecies of macrocephalus, catalogue)
  • McArthur, A.J. ; Shattuck, S. O. 2001. A taxonomic revision of the Camponotus macrocephalus species group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Australia. Trans. R. Soc. S. Aust. 125: 25-43 (page 38, Junior synonym of macrocephalus)
  • Viehmeyer, H. 1925b. Formiciden der australischen Faunenregion. (Schluss.). Entomol. Mitt. 14: 139-149 (page 145, soldier, worker, queen described)
  • Viehmeyer, H. 1925b. Formiciden der australischen Faunenregion. (Schluss.). Entomol. Mitt. 14: 139-149 (page 145, material of the unavailable name continentalis referred here.)