Crematogaster ampullaris

Biological details for Crematogaster ampullaris are available from specimen labels of a Sabah collection (CASENT0193577): workers were found in rainforest in low vegetation. Heterick & Kitching (2022) collected this species in the canopy of a lowland dipterocarp forest in Brunei.

Identification
A member of the Crematogaster inflata species-group. Hosoishi and Ogata (2009) - This species is very similar to Crematogaster sewardi, but can be distinguished by the dorsal outline of the mesosoma and the depth of the metanotal groove.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Indo-Australian Region: Indonesia, Philippines, Sulawesi.

Nomenclature

 * . Crematogaster ampullaris Smith, F. 1861b: 47 (w.) INDONESIA (Sulawesi).
 * Type-material: 2 syntype workers.
 * Type-locality: Indonesia: Celebes (Sulawesi): Tondano, “Tond.” (A.R. Wallace).
 * Type-depository: syntypes lost (not in OXUM or BMNH).
 * [Note: Donisthorpe,1932c: 469, records two worker syntypes in OXUM, labelled “Tond.” This material could not be found by Hosoishi & Ogata, 2009b: 20, and is not in BMNH.]
 * Combination in C. (Physocrema): Donisthorpe, 1932c: 469.
 * Junior synonym of difformis: Emery, 1901g: 574; Wheeler, W.M. 1919e: 74.
 * Status as species: Mayr, 1863: 404; Roger, 1863b: 37; Dalla Torre, 1893: 79; Donisthorpe, 1932c: 469; Donisthorpe, 1941l: 226 (in key); Bolton, 1995b: 147; Hosoishi & Ogata, 2009b: 19 (redescription).
 * Distribution: Indonesia (Sulawesi, Timor), Philippines (Leyte).

Worker
Hosoishi and Ogata (2009) - HW 1.12–1.34; HL 1.04–1.28; CI 100–108; SL 0.95–1.02; SI 76–84; EL 0.22–0.24; PW 0.66–0.82; WL 1.26–1.48; PSL 0; PtL 0.34–0.48; PtW 0.28–0.34; PtH 0.19–0.24; PpL 0.24–0.28; PpW 0.29–0.36; PtHI 50–56; PtWI 71–84; PpWI 117–129; WI 93–106 (Three workers measured).

Workers with pronounced size polymorphism.

Scape not reaching posterior corner of head in large workers.

In lateral view, pronotum and mesonotum forming a single convexity, propodeum slightly raised relative to promesonotum. Anterior margin of pronotal collar slightly concave in dorsal view. Metanotal groove convex posteriorly in dorsal view, deep and situated posterior to the posterior ridge of pronotum in lateral view; thorax strongly constricted in middle in dorsal view. In dorsal view, some longitudinal rugulae connecting between mesonotum and propodeum; the boundary distinct except for median portion. Propodeal spiracle situated away from the metapleural gland orifice, the distance between them much greater than the propodeal spiracle diameter. Propodeal spines absent.

Clypeus sculptured with longitudinal rugulae.

Standing pilosity sparse on dorsal face of head, abundant on promesonotum. Dorsal face of head with decumbent setae. Clypeus with short setae. Dorsal setae on fourth abdominal tergite appressed and directed posteriorly.

Body color reddish brown to black.

Type Material
Hosoishi and Ogata (2009) - INDONESIA: Tondano, Sulawesi [types not found in or ]. We have not been able to examine the types of ampullaris. According to Mr. Barry Bolton (pers comm Jan 2008), a search in the collection of BMNH and OXUM revealed that types of C. (P.) ampullaris were no longer present. But the original description and Donisthorpe’s key (1941) closely match the specimens examined.

TYPE-MATERIAL NOT FOUND.

Donisthorpe (1932c) records two worker syntypes in. Labelled “Tond.” This material could not be detected in the current survey. Also, no specimens in.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Blaimer B. B. 2012. Acrobat ants go global  Origin, evolution and systematics of the genus Crematogaster (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 65: 421-436.
 * Donisthorpe H. 1941. Description of a new species of Crematogaster Lund, subgenus Physocrema Forel, with a list of, and a key to, the known species of the subgenus. Entomologist 74: 225-227.
 * Hosoichi S., and K. Ogata. 2009. A taxonomic revision of the Asian endemic subgenus Physocrema of the genus Crematogaster (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 2062: 15-36.
 * Hosoishi S. and K. Ogata. 2009. A check list of the ant genus Crematogaster in Asia (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Bull. Inst. Trop. Agr. Kyushu Univ. 32: 43-83.
 * Smith F. 1861. Catalogue of hymenopterous insects collected by Mr. A. R. Wallace in the islands of Ceram, Celebes, Ternate, and Gilolo. [part]. Journal and Proceedings of the Linnean Society of London. Zoology 6: 36-48.