Camponotus keralensis

Other than a statement that the type was collected from a disturbed habitat, nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
Karmaly & Narendran (2006) - This species comes close to Camponotus thraso in the following characters: 1. Head rectangular; 2. Clypeus carinate with a short lobe, its anterior margin transverse; 3. Antennae slender filiform; 12 jointed; 4. Thorax viewed from side forming a regular arch; 5. Circular anal orifice at the apex of the hypopygim ventrally guarded by guard hairs. However it differs from Camponotus thraso in having: 1. Teeth not obsolete (in Camponotus thraso teeth obsolete); 2. Meso-metanotal suture distinct (in Camponotus thraso meso-metanotal suture indistinct); 3. Petiolar node convex in front, flat posteriorly (in Camponotus thraso petiolar node biconvex as long as broad).

Distribution
Kerala, India.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: India.

Nomenclature

 *  keralensis. Camponotus (Tanaemyrmex) keralensis Karmaly & Narendran, 2006: 78, figs. 23, 24 (w.) INDIA.

Worker
TL = 5 mm; HL = 1.2 mm; HW = 0.94 mm; CI = 78.33 mm; SL = 1.03 mm; SI = 109.57 mm; ED= 0.23 mm; PW = 0.73 mm; AL = 1.9 mm.

Colour: Very dark castaneous brown; antennae, pedicel, legs lighter than remaining parts; basal half of the scape, 1st funicular segment, coxa, trochanter, tarsi, pale yellowish brown; pronotum reddish brown.

Sculpture and Hair pattern: Whole body very minutely reticulate punctate; pubescence almost absent; very scanty scattered erect hairs visible; abdomen shining.

Head: Rectangular, as broad posteriorly as in front; cheeks straight; occiput rounded; mandibles moderately broad, 6-toothed (one apical tooth followed by 5 acute teeth); clypeus carinate with a short lobe, its anterior margin transverse, posterior margin concave; frontal lobe distinct; frontal carinae short, wide apart posteriorly; antennal carinae short, moderately close together, divergent posteriorly; antennal scrobe very short; antennae slender, filiform, 12 jointed, antennal scape extending above the vertex; all segments of funiculus longer than broad; club single segmented, longer than other funicular segments. Relative measurements of length of antennal segments. Scape = 1.03 mm; F1 = 0 23 mm; F2 = 0.23 mm; F3 = 0.23 mm; F4 = 0.33 mm; F5 = 0.28 mm; F6 = 0.23 mm; F7 = 0.19 mm; F8 = 0.14 mm; F9 = 0.23 mm; F10 = 0.19 mm; Club (F11) = 0.38 mm. Eyes small, situated above the midlength of head, postero-lateral.

Thorax: Viewed from side forming a regular arch, somewhat depressed in front, strongly compressed posteriorly; pronotum anteriorly rounded, narrow, posteriorly broad; pro-mesonotal suture distinct; meso-metanotal stuture indistinct; propodeum steeply sloping from ventral base of petiole; legs short; tibiae compressed, not prismatic, destitute of spines beneath; basal region of tarsi rounded, slightly curved, tibial spurs visible.

Abdomen: Pedicel sessile, nodiform; petiolar node convex anteriorly, flat posteriorly; gaster laterally forming an arch, elongate, last gastral segment ends with circular anal orifice guarded by guard hairs.

Type Material
Holotype: Worker: INDIA: Kerala, Bharanaganam [Kottayam], Sureshan P.M., 28.x.2000. Paratype: 1 W: With the same data as that of holotype.

Etymology
Named after the State from which the specimen was collected.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Karmaly K.A., and T. C. Narendran. 2006. Indian ants: genus Camponotus: 165 pp. Teresian Carmel Publications, Kerala.
 * Presty J., and K. A. Karmaly. 2016. A study on the diversity and distribution of genus Camponotus Mayr (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Kerala: ecologically significant agents in ecosystems functioning. In: Chakravarhty A. K, and S. Sridhara (eds), Arthropod diversity and conservation in the tropics and sub-tropics. Springer edition. Pages 255-270.