Camponotus aro

Geographically restricted to the PN Namoroka in the western dry forest of Madagascar (Fig. 41D), C. aro has been found nesting under stones while workers forage on the ground or through leaf litter and on lower vegetation.

Identification
With head in full-face view, lateral margins of head anterior to eye level parallel, lacking erect hairs, lateral cephalic margin rounding to posterior margin, anteromedian clypeal margin continuously forming broad convexity; propodeal dorsum immediately posterior to metanotal groove convex, then concave medially and rounding to declivity surface.

Camponotus aro is morphologically similar to Camponotus gouldi in that both species are characterized by a broadly convex anteromedian margin of clypeus, but the latter species is diagnosed as having a head that extends posteriorly into a broad, short neck and its propodeal dorsum is straight.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Malagasy Region: Madagascar.

Nomenclature

 * . Camponotus aro Rakotonirina & Fisher, 2022: 42, figs. 25B, 31B, 41 (s.w.) MADAGASCAR.

Type Material
08 Nov 2002 (Fisher, Griswold et al.) collection code: BLF06542, specimen code: CASENT0489917 (CAS).
 * Holotype worker. MADAGASCAR: Province Mahajanga: PN de Namoroka, 17.8 km 329° WNW Vilanandro, -16.37667, 45.32667, 100 m, dry forest, under stone,
 * Paratypes. 2 minor workers and 1 major worker with same data as holotype but with specimen codes: CASENT0837586, CASENT0837587, CASENT0489918 (NHMUK, MHNG, CAS).