Camponotus owensae

This rare species has been collected only once from south-western South Australia. Specimens were collected in pitfall traps in mallee. Nothing else is known of its biology.

Identification
Tibiae with abundant suberect hairs. In minors, metanotal groove depressed below the level of the anterior region of the propodeum; dorsal surface of petiolar node relatively long and flat, its anterior face much shorter than the posterior face. Elongate (overlapping) and dense pubescence present on head, mesosoma, gaster and tibiae. Body colour black. The configuration of the metanotal groove and the abundant pilosity will separate this species from others in this species group.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Nomenclature

 *  owensae. Camponotus owensae Shattuck & McArthur, 2002: 76, figs. 25-27 (w.) AUSTRALIA.

Minor worker
Anterior clypeal margin projecting, median portion nearly straight and feebly crenulate with rounded angles laterally. Pronotum, mesonotum, metanotum and the anterior one-fifth of propodeum a strong, even domed convexity distorted only by the two feeble, well separated sutures of the metanotum, the posterior four-fifths of propodeum rise from a wide concavity to a posterior hump which includes the rounded angle and the mostly straight posterior propodeal face. Anterior face of petiolar node straight, shorter than posterior face, summit narrowing upwards to a rounded angle. Entire body black and covered with plentiful erect and flat lying white setae except antennae where setae are flat lying to suberect.

Measurements
Minor worker (n=2). CI 0.80 — 0.83; HL 2.04mm — 2.35mm; HW I .63mm — 1.95mm; ML 3.33mm — 3.89mm; MTL 2.98mm — 3.08mm; PnW I .42mm — 1.60mm; SI 1.50 — 1.71; SL 2.79mm — 2.92mm.

Etymology
Named after Helen Owens of the South Australian Department of Environment, Heritage and Aboriginal Affairs, who found this species during a faunal survey.