Key to Camponotus species of the subgenus Myrmentoma of Greece

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This key to workers is from Borowiec and Salata 2022. Each terminal couplet is followed by comparative remarks that are specific to the Greek ant fauna.

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1

  • Sculpture of mesosoma and head strong, sometimes sculpture partially reduced on the lateral sides of mesosoma but body appears indistinctly to distinctly dull . . . . . #2
  • Sculpture of mesosoma and head weak, body appears mostly shiny . . . . . #8

2

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  • Mesosoma in lateral view forms a regular arch; metanotal groove absent . . . . . #3
  • Mesosoma in lateral view with shallow to moderately deep metanotal groove . . . . . #5

3

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  • Legs mostly yellowish to reddish-brown, gaster yellowish-brown. Setation of head, mesosoma, and gaster short and sparse. Not known from Greece but noted from eastern, western and central Turkey . . . . . Camponotus aktaci

Camponotus aktaci belongs to the complex of species within the subgenus Myrmentoma with distinctly dull body strongly sculptured mesosoma and head with reguraly arched mesosoma lacking metanotal groove. In the eastern part of the Mediterranean basin only three species have this combination of characters: C. aktaci, C. aegaeus and C. libanicus, and only the second species has confirmed records from Greece. Camponotus aktaci is the most distinct and differs from both relatives in distinctly bicolored body with legs mostly yellowish to reddish-brown and gaster yellowish-brown to brown, and short and sparse setation of head, mesosoma, and gaster. While C. aegaeus and C. libanicus have legs and gaster mostly brown to black and long and dense setation of head, mesosoma and gaster. Camponotus aktaci was recorded from Aegean Region only from the western Turkey and its distribution in Greece is possible in Dodecanese because the westernmost locality in Turkey is placed only 19 km east of the island Kos.

  • Legs and gaster mostly brown to black. Setation of head, mesosoma, and gaster long and dense . . . . . #4

4

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  • Petiolar scale thin, PI > 1.50. Northeastern Greece, Eastern Aegean Islands and western Turkey . . . . . Camponotus aegaeus

Camponotus aegaeus belongs to the complex of species within the subgenus Myrmentoma with distinctly dull body, strongly sculptured mesosoma and head with regularly arched mesosoma lacking metanotal groove. In the eastern part of the Mediterranean basin only three species have this combination of characters: C. aegaeus, C. aktaci and C. libanicus, and only C. aegaeus was recorded from Greece. Camponotus aktaci is the most distinct species of this complex and differs in distinctly bicolored body with mostly yellowish to reddish-brown legs and yellowish-brown gaster, and short and sparse setation of head, mesosoma, and gaster. Both relatives have legs and gaster mostly brown to black and long and dense setation of head, mesosoma and gaster. Camponotus libanicus is similar to C. aegaeus and the best distinguishing characters is petiolar index. In C. libanicus petiole is thick with PI < 1.42 while in C. aegaeus petiole is thin with PI > 1.50. Additionally, C. libanicus has slightly more convex mesosoma in profile and its excavation of posterior face of propodeum is slightly deeper than in C. aegaeus. Camponotus libanicus is more eastern species, known from Cyprus, south-eastern Turkey, Lebanon, Israel and Iran and its records from Aegean Turkey and Greece with no doubts are based on misidentifications. While C. aegaeus is more western species and was recorded from Bulgaria, Greece, North Macedonia and western Turkey east to the Kirikkale province of Central Anatolia.

  • Petiolar scale thick, PI < 1.42. Not recorded from Greece but known from Cyprus and the Middle East . . . . . Camponotus libanicus

Camponotus libanicus belongs to the complex of species within the subgenus Myrmentoma with distinctly dull body with strongly sculptured mesosoma and head with regurarly arched mesosoma in lateral with visible metanotal suture. In the eastern part of the Mediterranean basin only three species have this combination of characters: C. aegaeus, C. aktaci and C. libanicus, only the first species has confirmed records from Greece. Camponotus aktaci differs in distinctly bicolored body with mostly yellowish to reddish-brown legs, yellowish-brown gaster, and short and sparse setation of head, mesosoma, and gaster. Both remaining relatives have mostly brown to black legs and gaster and long and dense setation of head, mesosoma and gaster. Camponotus libanicus is the most similar to C. aegaeus but they can be separated based on the petiolar index. In C. libanicus petiole is thick with PI < 1.42 while in C. aegaeus petiole is thin with PI > 1.50. Aditionally, C. libanicus has slightly more convex mesosoma in profile and its excavation of posterior face of propodeum is slightly deeper than in C. aegaeus. Also, Camponotus libanicus is more eastern species, known from Cyprus, south-eastern Turkey, Lebanon, Israel and Iran and its records from Aegean Turkey and Greece most likely are based on misidentification. While C. aegaeus is more western species and was recorded from Bulgaria, Greece, North Macedonia and western Turkey east to Kirikkale province of Central Anatolia.

5

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  • Posterior margin of propodeum with well developed, lateral dentate protrusions. Base of antennal scape with lobes. Northeastern, eastern and southern Greece and western Turkey . . . . . Camponotus kiesenwetteri

Camponotus kiesenwetteri belongs to the complex of species with strong microsculpture of head and at least mesosomal dorsum and with distinct mesonotal groove. This group comprises also C. boghossiani, C. nitidescens and C. schulzi. The last two species differ in weaker microsculpture of head and mesosoma with shiny lateral sides while in C. kiesenwetteri the microsculpture is stronger and the whole mesosoma surface is dull. Camponotus boghossiani differs in base of scapus lacking horizontal extension and truncate posterior margin of propodeum. Small workers of C. kiesenwetteri with very shallow emargination of propodeum appears very similar to C. boghossiani but differ in always present distinct horizontal extension on base of scapus.

  • Posterior margin of propodeum without or with weakly developed, indistinct protrusions. Base of antennal scape lacking or with indistinct lobes . . . . . #6

6

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  • Surface of mesosoma more strongly sculptured, reticulate and granulate with indistinctly dull background; posterior margin of propodeum sometimes with weakly-developed, indistinct protrusion. Base of antennal scape lacking lobe. Peloponnese, Crete, southern and eastern Aegean islands and western Turkey . . . . . Camponotus boghossiani

Camponotus boghossiani belongs to the complex of species with strong microsculpture of head and at least mesosomal dorsum, with distinct mesonotal groove. This group comprises also C. kiesenwetteri, C. nitidescens and C. schulzi. The two last species differ in weaker microsculpture of head and especially mesosoma with shiny lateral sides while in C. boghossiani and C. kiesenwetteri the microsculpture is strong and surface of the whole mesosoma appears opalescent dull. Only some populations of C. boghossiani from Aegean Turkey have weaker sculpture on sides of mesosoma but their sculpture is always stronger than this one observed in C. nitidescens and C. schulzi. Camponotus schulzi differs from C. boghossiani in presence of horizontal extension on base of scapus. Camponotus kiesenwetteri appears very similar to C. boghossiani but differs in presence of horizontal extension on base of scapus and indistinctly marked emargination on posterior margin of propodeum and posterior angles of propodeum forming blunt tooth protruding posterad.

  • Surface of mesosoma weaker sculptured, especially sides of mesosoma appear indistinctly shiny; posterior margin of propodeum without protrusions. Base of antennal scape sometimes with lobes . . . . . #7

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  • Base of antennal scape with extension. Petiolar scale thick, PI: 1.26–1.33. Not recorded from Greece but known from western Turkey . . . . . Camponotus schulzi

Camponotus schulzi together with C. nitidescens form a complex of species appearing intermediate between strongly sculptured and matt members of the C. kiesenwetteri complex and finely sculptured and shiny members of the C. piceus complex. Only two species of C. kiesenwetteri complex have deep mesonotal groove and saddle-shaped propodeum with flat dorsum – C. boghossiani and C. kiesenwetteri but both differ from C. schulzi in dull body with strong microsculpture of head and mesosoma. Populations of C. boghossiani from western Turkey have weaker sculpture on lateral sides of mesosoma but they never appear as shiny as C. schulzi. Aditionally, C. boghossiani has basal scape lacking horizontal extension. Camponotus kiesenwetteri differs also in posterior margin of propodeum with indistinctly marked emargination and posterior angles of propodeum forming blunt tooth protruding posterad. Camponotus schulzi appears similar to C. nitidescens but it differs in base of antennal scape lacking horizontal extension and thin petiolar scale with PI: 1.54–1.74. While C schulzi has distinct horizontal extension at base of scapus and thick petiole with PI: 1.26–1.33. Also, both species are separated geographically, C. nitidescens is known only from Cephalonia Island, western Sterea Ellas and Peloponnese while C. schulzi was recorded only from Bozdag Mountains of western Turkey.

  • Base of antennal scape lacking lobes. Petiolar scale thin, PI: 1.54–1.74. Cephalonia Island, western Sterea Ellas and Peloponnese . . . . . Camponotus nitidescens

Camponotus nitidescens together with C. schulzi form a complex of species appearing intermediate between strongly sculptured and matt members of the C. kiesenwetteri complex and finely sculptured and shiny members of the C. piceus complex. Only two species of C. kiesenwetteri complex have deep mesonotal groove and saddle-shaped propodeum with flat dorsum – C. boghossiani and C. kiesenwetteri. But both differ in dull body with strong microsculpture of head and mesosoma. Only populations of C. boghossiani from western Turkey have often lateral sides of mesosoma less distinctly microsculptured but their body never appears as shiny as in C. nitidescens. Camponotus kiesenwetteri differs also presence of horizontal extension in base of scapus, posterior margin of propodeum with indistinctly marked emargination, and posterior angles of propodeum forming blunt tooth protruding posterad. Camponotus schulzi differs from C. nitidescens in presence of horizontal extension in base of antennal scape and thick petiolar scale with PI: 1.26–1.33. Also, both species are separated geographically, C. nitidescens is known only from Cephalonia Island, western Sterea Ellas and Peloponnese while C. schulzi was recorded only from Bozdag Mountains of western Turkey.

8

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  • Mesosoma in profile regularly arched without metanotal groove or with shallow mesonotal groove . . . . . #9
  • Mesosoma in profile with deep mesonotal groove, if the groove moderately deep than propodeum with flat dorsal surface saddle-form . . . . . #12

9

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  • Genae with erected setae. Anteromedian clypeal margin straight or with very shallow emargination. Propodeum in lateral view forming a blunt angle . . . . . #10
  • Genae lacking erected setae. Anteromedian clypeal margin usually with distinct emargination, occasionally without or with very shallow emargination in small workers. Propodeum in lateral view forms more continuous convexity . . . . . Camponotus fallax

Camponotus fallax belongs to the complex of species with indistinctly shiny body with regularly arched mesosoma in profile. Only three members of the subgenus Myrmentoma have this set of characters: C. fallax, C. gestroi and C. tergestinus. Camponotus gestroi differs in not as regularly arched mesosoma in profile with well-marked mesonotal suture and black body, at least partly black legs and antennae, and longer antennal scapus with SL/HW in minor workers = 1.26 and major workers 0.92. While C. fallax and C. tergestinus have mesosoma regularly arched in profile, with only softly marked mesonotal suture, their overall body colouration is brown to dark brown with legs and antennae completely to mostly yellow to yellowish brown (sometimes head and mesosoma are black), and their antennal scapus is shorter with SL/HW in minor workers usually below 1.15 and major workers below 0.90. Camponotus tergestinus differs in setose gena (in C. fallax without setae), anteromedian clypeal margin without or with very shallow median emargination (in C. fallax usually with distinct median emargination, especially in major workers) and propodeum in lateral view forming blunt angle (in C. fallax forming more continuous convexity).

10

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  • Mesosoma in profile forms a regular arch or with only very shallow metanotal groove . . . . . #11

See remarks in the next couplet for Camponotus gestroi.

11

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Camponotus gestroi belongs to the complex of species with indistinctly shiny body with regularly arched mesosoma in profile. Only three members of the subgenus Myrmentoma have this set of characters: C. fallax, C. gestroi and C. tergestinus. Camponotus gestroi differs from both relatives in mesosoma with well-marked mesonotal suture and not as regularly arched as in both relatives, black body colouration, at least partly black legs and antennae, and longer antennal scapus with SL/HW in minor workers = 1.26 and major workers 0.92. Camponotus fallax and C. tergestinus have mesosoma regularly arched in profile, mesonotal suture is only softly marked, body coloration is brighter from brown to dark brown (sometimes only head and mesosoma appear blackish), legs and antennae are completely to mostly yellow to yellowish brown, and antennal scapus is shorter with SL/HW in minor workers usually below 1.15 and major workers below 0.90.

Camponotus gestroi creticus (= Camponotus gestroi) appears similar to the nominotypical subspecies but differs in mesosoma in profile with shallow to moderately deep metanotal groove (Cretan population has the groove slightly shallower than populations from the Aegean). Mesosomal sculpture in C. gestroi creticus is more distinct and slightly opaque (in C. gestroi mesosomal surface is distinctly shiny); major workers are slightly larger than in nominotypical subspecies with mean ML up to 2.61 and HL 1.98 (in C. gestroi 2.35 and 1.75 respectively). The largest major workers of C. gestroi creticus have antennal scapus with 1-6 erected setae while in C. gestroi such setae have never been observed within Greek population. Other species of the subgenus Myrmentoma with mostly shiny body differ from C. gestroi creticus in presence of deep mesonotal groove and saddle-form propodeum.

Camponotus tergestinus belongs to the complex of species with body appearing more or less shiny with regularly arched mesosoma in profile. Only three members of the subgenus Myrmentoma have this set of characters: C. fallax, C. gestroi and C. tergestinus. Camponotus gestroi is the most distinct due to the mesosoma in profile not as regularly arched as in both relatives with well-marked mesonotal suture, black body, at least partly black legs and antennae, and longer antennal scapus with SL/ HW in minor workers = 1.26 and major workers 0.92. While in C. fallax and C. tergestinus mesosoma is regularly arched in profile, mesonotal suture softly marked, body colouration from yellowish brown to dark brown (if body is black then first gastral tergite has yellowish to brown anterior slope), legs and antennae completely to mostly yellow to yellowish brown, and antennal scapus shorter with SL/HW in minor workers usually below 1.15 and major workers below 0.90. Camponotus fallax differs in gena lacking erected setae (in C. tergestinus gena are setose), anteromedian clypeal margin usually with distinct emargination, especially in major workers (in C. tergestinus anteromedian clypeal margin is without or with very shallow median emargination) and propodeum in lateral view forming more continuous convexity (in C. tergestinus forming a blunt angle).

12

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  • Head predominantly black. Mesosoma completely black or only pronotum with yellow to reddish spots or pronotum completely yellow to red, occasionally also sides of mesonotum and propodeum partly or mostly reddish . . . . . #13
  • Head reddish to brown if predominantly black then mesosoma partly to completely yellowish to red. Mesosoma reddish to brown, never completely black . . . . . #19

13

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  • Propodeal dorsum on the whole surface with erected setae . . . . . #14
  • Propodeal dorsum with erected setae only at posterior margin. Microsculpture of head and mesosomal dorsum stronger, the head and mesosomal dorsum often appears slightly mat with a leather-like texture . . . . . Camponotus dalmaticus, dark forms

Camponotus dalmaticus belongs to the complex of species with predominantly shiny body, well marked or deep mesonotal groove and predominantly black head. This complex comprises also C. atricolor, C. candiotes, C. heidrunvogtae and C. piceus. Camponotus dalmaticus differs from all relatives in propodeum with erected setae limited only to posterior margin of the plate and stronger microsculpture of head and mesosomal dorsum, thus its body surface often appears slightly matte. While four other species have the whole surface of propodeal plate setose and finer microsculpture of head and mesosomal, thus body surface is always more or less shiny. Camponotus atricolor and C. piceus differ from C. dalmaticus also in predominantly black mesosoma while in C. dalmaticus predominate forms with yellow to reddish colouration of at least pronotum. Predominantly black forms of C. dalmaticus differs from C. heidrunvogtae in distinctly shorter antennae with SL/HW of minor workers 1.163-1.267 (mean 1.219) while in C. heidrunvogtae SL/HW is 1.281-1.441 (mean 1.361). Camponotus atricolor differs from completely black form of C. dalmaticus in very shallow mesonotal groove and antennal scapus without basal horizontal extension, C. piceus differs in less marked microsculpture and perfectly shiny body surface, C. candiotes differs in antennal scapus without basal horizontal extension.

14

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  • Pronotum with reddish spots laterally or mostly reddish . . . . . #18

15

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  • Scape short, SL/CS usually below 1.000 (at most to 1.044) . . . . . #16
  • Scape long, SL/CS 1.069 ± 0.024 [1.014,1.115]. The distribution is limited to the Ionian Islands, Epirus and southern Macedonia . . . . . Camponotus heidrunvogtae

Camponotus heidrunvogtae belongs to the complex of species with predominantly shiny body, well marked or deep mesonotal groove and predominantly black head. This complex comprises also C. atricolor, C. candiotes, C. dalmaticus and C. piceus. C. dalmaticus differs in propodeum with erected setae limited only to its posterior margine and stronger microsculpture of head and mesosomal dorsum. While the three remaining species have whole surface of propodeal dorsum setose, and their head and mesosomal microsculpture is finer and more or less shiny. Camponotus heidrunvogtae differs from relative species in distinctly longer antennae with SL/HW in the smallest workers 1.281-1.441 (mean 1.361) while in C. piceus SL/HW is 1.189-1.260 (mean 1.236), in C. atricolor 1.257-1.329 (mean (1.293) and C. candiotes 1.121-1.235 (mean 1.203). However, for the largest major workers the difference is less distinct: C. heidrunvogtae SL/HW 0.753-0.837 (mean 0.804), C. piceus 0.750-0.817 (mean 0.784), C. atricolor 0.701-.0753 (0.727), only in C. candiotes this index equals 0.908 (only one major worker measured). Camponotus atricolor differs from C. heidrunvogtae in predominantly black body ( in C. heidrunvogtae predominate specimens with reddish spots on pronotum), very shallow mesonotal groove (deep in C. heidrunvogtae) and antennal scapus lacking basal horizontal extension (in C. heidrungvogtae such extension is indistinctly marked); C. piceus also differs in predominantly black body; C. candiotes due to predominant bicolored mesosoma looks the most similar to C. heidrunvogtae but differs in antennal scapus without basal horizontal extension. Also, both species are separated geographically: C. heidrunvogtae has small distribution range limited to Ionian Island, Epirus, southern Macedonia and Sterea Ellas while C. candiotes was noted only from Crete and southern Aegean Islands.

16

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  • Mesonotal groove deep, propodeum high. Southern or more widely distributed species . . . . . #17
  • Mesonotal groove shallow, propodeum low. Northern distributed species, Epirus, Macedonia, Thrace, south to northern Thessaly . . . . . Camponotus atricolor

Camponotus atricolor belongs to the complex of species with predominantly shiny body, well marked or deep mesonotal groove and predominantly black head. This complex comprises also C. candiotes, C. dalmaticus, C. heidrunvogtae and C. piceus. Camponotus atricolor differs from all relatives in very shallow mesonotal groove. Camponotus candiotes, C. dalmaticus and C. heidrunvogtae differ additionally in mesosoma often partly yellowish or reddishor with at least pale spots on pronotal sides. Black form of C. dalmaticus differs from C. atricolor also in slightly marked horizontal extension on base of scapus. Camponotus piceus with predominantly black body is the most similar but differs in presence of deep mesonotal groove.

17

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  • See discriminant characters in |Seifert’s (2019) key. Scapus at base with slightly marked horizontal extension. Common in continental Greece, Ionian Islands and northern Aegean Islands, rare in Crete, absent in southern Aegean Islands . . . . . Camponotus piceus

Camponotus piceus belongs to the complex of species with predominantly shiny body, well marked or deep mesonotal groove and predominantly black head. This complex comprises also C. atricolor, C. candiotes, C. dalmaticus and C. heidrunvogtae. Camponotus dalmaticus differs from C. piceus in propodeum with erected setae limited only to posterior margin of the plate, predominantly bicoloured mesosoma and stronger microsculpture of head and mesosomal and slightly matte body; C. heidrunvogtae differs in distinctly longer antennae with SL/HW in the smallest workers 1.281-1.441 (mean 1.361) while in C. piceus SL/HW = 1.189-1.260 (mean 1.236), and in pronotum often with reddish spot laterally; C. atricolor differs in very shallow mesonotal groove (deep in C. piceus ) and antennal scapus lacking basal horizontal extension (such extension present in C. piceus); C. candiotes looks the most similar to C. piceus but often has bicolored mesosoma. Rare black forms of C. candiotes differs from C. piceus in antennal scapus lacking basal horizontal extension. Both species are sympatric only on Crete, where C. candiotes can be found in warm habitats in lowlands and C. piceus occypies shady habitats in mountains. Camponotuspiceus is common in continental Greece where C. candiotes was not observed and C. candiotes is common in Dodecanese Islands from which C. piceus has not been recorded so far.

  • See discriminant characters in Seifert’s (2019) key. Scapus at base without horizontal extension. Common in Crete and southern Aegean Islands, not recorded from continental Greece . . . . . Camponotus candiotes rare uniformly black form.

See remarks in the next couplet for the common form of Camponotus candiotes.

18

return to couplet #14

  • Scape long relative to width of mesosoma and dorsal propodeal plane, SL/CS (referring to CS = 1.25 mm) 1.069 ± 0.024 [1.014,1.115]. The distribution is limited to the Ionian Islands, Epirus and southern Macedonia . . . . . Camponotus heidrunvogtae

See remarks in couplet 15 for Camponotus heidrunvogtae.

  • Scape clearly shorter relative to width of mesosoma and dorsal propodeal plane, SL/CS (referring to CS = 1.25 mm) 0.960 ± 0.024 [0.918,1.026]. Common in Crete and southern Aegean Islands, not recorded from continental Greece . . . . . Camponotus candiotes, common form

Camponotus candiotes belongs to the complex of species with predominantly shiny body, well marked or deep mesonotal groove and predominantly black head. This complex comprises also C. atricolor, C. dalmaticus, C. heidrunvogtae and C. piceus. The first species differs in very shallow mesonotal groove. Camponotus dalmaticus differs in setation of propodeum limited only to its posterior margin, slightly stronger microsculpture and base of scapus with slightly marked horizontal extension, C. heidrunvogtae differs in longer antennae with SL/HW in minor workers 1.281-1.441 (mean 1.361) while in C. candiotes is 1.121-1.235 (mean 1.203) and base of scapus with slightly marked horizontal extension. Camponotus piceus is the most similar to C. candiotes but differs in body predominantly black and scapus at base with slightly marked horizontal extension.

19

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  • Propodeal dorsum on the whole surface with erected setae . . . . . #20
  • Propodeal dorsum with erected setae only at posterior margin . . . . . #21

20

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  • Propodeal dorsum in dorsal view trapezoid, posterior part much wider than anterior. Head and mesonotum strongly setose. First gastral tergite yellow, distinctly paler than subsequent tergites. Not recorded from Greece but known from Aegean Turkey . . . . . Camponotus anatolicus

Camponotus anatolicus with C. lateralis and C. rebeccae forms a complex of species with deep mesonotal groove, saddle-shaped propodeum, shiny body surface, and usually yellowish to rusty red head , and usually yellow to rusty red mesosoma, that only occasionally has brownish to blackish spots. Camponotus anatolicus differs from both relatives in never dark brown or black first gastral tergite that is never darker than mesosoma, and more setose head and mesosoma. From C. rebeccae it differs also in short and high propodeal saddle and finer and sparser microripples on first gastral tergite with RipD above 9.5 μm. Setosity of C. lateralis appears very similar to this one of C. anatolicus but differs in lower number of setae on propodeal dorsum and its anterior part of propodeum bears only short to long decumbent or semierect setae and is lacking long erected setae.

  • Propodeal dorsum in dorsal view rectangular, posterior part not or only slightly wider than anterior. Head and mesonotum less setose. First gastral tergite the same color as subsequent tergites. Common throughout Greece . . . . . Camponotus lateralis, setose form

Camponotus lateralis with C. anatolicus and C. rebeccae forms a complex of species with deep mesonotal groove, saddle-shaped propodeum, shiny body surface, predominantly yellowish to rusty red head, and usually yellow to rusty red mesosoma that only occasionally has brownish to blackish spots. Camponotus anatolicus differs in first gastral tergite never darker than mesosoma, short and high propodeal saddle, and more setose head and mesosoma. Camponotus rebeccae appears very similar to C. lateralis but differs in longer and less convex propodeal saddle and antennal scapi lacking erect setae. However, the gaster microsculpture is the most solid character that can be used to separate these taxa. In C. rebeccae transverse microstriation of tergites is deep and dense, on first tergite with RipD 7.1–9.5 μm while in all forms of C. lateralis microripples are finer and sparser with RipD 9.1–13.7 μm. Camponotus lateralis is very common in the whole continental and insular Greece, while C. rebeccae occurs only on Crete and Dodecanese.

21

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  • Microsculpture of head and mesosoma fine, the surface perfectly shiny. Mesonotal groove deep . . . . . #22
  • Microsculpture of head and mesosoma strong, the head and mesosomal dorsum often appears slightly mat with a leather-like texture. Mesonotal groove slightly shallower . . . . . Camponotus dalmaticus, pale forms

See remarks in couplet 13 for the dark forms of Camponotus dalmaticus.

22

return to couplet #21

  • Propodeum low and long, less convex in profile, mesonotal groove shallow. Transverse microripples on first gastral tergite deeper and denser, RipD 7.1–9.5 μm. Crete and Dodecanese only . . . . . Camponotus rebeccae

Camponotus rebeccae with C. anatolicus and C. lateralis forms a complex of species with deep mesonotal groove, saddle-shaped propodeum, shiny body surface, usually from yellow to rusty red and never predominantly blakc head, and usually yellow to rusty red mesosoma that only occasionally has brownish to blackish spots. Camponotus anatolicus differs in first gastral tergite not darker than mesosoma, short and high propodeal saddle and more setose head and mesosoma. Camponotus lateralis differs in shorter and more convex propodeal saddle. Setose form of C. lateralis differs in antennal scapi with few short erect setae and propodeal dorsum with additional short decumbent to semierect setae. The gaster microsculpture provides some additional characters useful in species separatio, in C. rebeccae transverse microstriation of tergites is deep and dense, on first tergite with RipD 7.1–9.5 μm while in all forms of C. lateralis microripples are finer and sparser with RipD 9.1–13.7 μm. Camponotus rebeccae occurs only on Crete and Dodecanese while C. lateralis is very common in whole continental and island Greece.

  • Propodeum high and short, more convex in profile, mesonotal groove deep. Transverse microripples on first gastral tergite shallower and sparser, RipD 9.1–13.7 μm. Common in whole Greece . . . . . Camponotus lateralis

See remarks in couplet 20 for the setose form of Camponotus heidrunvogtae.

References

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