Crematogaster rufotestacea

This hypogaeic ant is very common on the mainland in the vicinity of Margaret River, Pemberton and Augusta, where it forms populous colonies under stones deeply imbedded in the soil (Wheeler 1934). Colonies are often found in cryptic situations such as inside rotting logs or within moss (Heterick 2009).

Identification
Heterick (2009) - A small, yellowish-and-brown species in which the promesonotum is often smooth and shining.

Wheeler (1934) - The brown females measure 7-8 mm. and are very large compared with the yellow workers, which are only 2-2.5 mm. in length. The female larvae are nearly spherical.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Nomenclature

 * . Crematogaster rufotestacea Mayr, 1876: 109 (w.) AUSTRALIA (New South Wales).
 * Type-material: syntype workers (number not stated).
 * Type-locality: Australia: New South Wales, Sydney (no collector’s name).
 * Type-depository: NHMW.
 * Emery, 1914b: 184 (q.); Crawley, 1922c: 23 (m.).
 * Combination in C. (Orthocrema): Emery, 1922e: 133.
 * Status as species: Dalla Torre, 1893: 85; Forel, 1902h: 412; Emery, 1914b: 184; Emery, 1922e: 133; Crawley, 1922c: 23; Taylor & Brown, 1985: 63; Taylor, 1987a: 23; Bolton, 1995b: 161.
 * Senior synonym of dentinasis: Heterick, 2021: 13.
 * Senior synonym of dispar: Heterick, 2021: 13.
 * Distribution: Australia.
 * dentinasis. Crematogaster (Orthocrema) rufotestacea st. dentinasis Santschi, 1929f: 89 (w.q.m.) AUSTRALIA (New South Wales).
 * Type-material: syntype workers, syntype queens, syntype males (numbers not stated).
 * Type-locality: Australia: New South Wales, Mittagong (Froggatt).
 * Type-depository: NHMB.
 * Subspecies of rufotestacea: Taylor & Brown, 1985: 63; Taylor, 1987a: 23; Bolton, 1995b: 151.
 * Junior synonym of rufotestacea: Heterick, 2021: 13.
 * dispar. Crematogaster sordidula r. dispar Forel, 1902h: 412 (w.q.m.) AUSTRALIA (Victoria).
 * Type-material: syntype workers, syntype males (numbers not stated), 1 syntype queen.
 * Type-locality: Australia: Victoria, Bendigo (Froggatt).
 * Type-depositories: ANIC, MHNG.
 * Combination in C. (Orthocrema): Emery, 1922e: 132.
 * Subspecies of sordidula: Wheeler, W.M. 1909a: 27; Forel, 1910b: 31; Forel, 1915b: 54.
 * Status as species: Emery, 1922e: 132; Wheeler, W.M. 1934d: 145; Taylor & Brown, 1985: 61; Taylor, 1987a: 22; Bolton, 1995b: 152; Heterick, 2009: 147.
 * Junior synonym of rufotestacea: Heterick, 2021: 13.

Taxonomic Notes
Heteric (2021): Santschi distinguishes the worker of his subspecies Crematogaster rufotestacea dentinasis (Santschi) based on size, minor differences in the appearance of the vertex, the clypeal denticles and the metanotal groove, and the smaller eye. Based on the appearance of type images for both taxa, these differences should be regarded as trivial. Crematogaster rufotestacea is also clearly the senior synonym of C. dispar Forel.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Clay R. E., and K. E. Schneider. 2000. The ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) fauna of coastal heath in south-west Victoria: effects of dominance by Acacia sophorae and management actions to control it. Pacific Conservation Biology 6: 144-151.
 * Forel A. 1910. Formicides australiens reçus de MM. Froggatt et Rowland Turner. Rev. Suisse Zool. 18: 1-94
 * Wheeler W. M. 1934. Contributions to the fauna of Rottnest Island, Western Australia. No. IX. The ants. Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia 20: 137-163.