Camponotus nitidior

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama.

Biology
This species builds nests of sewn-together leaves (Wilson 1981, Fernández 2002). They use larval silk to attach leaves together and to make silk sheets and baffles. The nest walls are a combination of leaves and silk sheets. The silk sheets and baffles are a combination of silk and masticated plant fibers. (Taken from John Longino's Ants of Costa Rica http://academic.evergreen.edu/projects/ants/AntsofCostaRica.html)

Flight muscle ratio (ratio of wing muscle mass to body mass, i.e. a predictor of flight ability) for C. nitidior queens suggests that they found colonies non-claustrally (Helms & Kaspari 2015). Moreover, fat content in the abdomen was low. This strategy of independent foundation needs to be confirmed with field observations, and it would be exceptional in this genus. Non-claustral foundation is similarly predicted by the large relative size of the prothorax (see Antweb image below), which probably reflects worker-like neck muscles needed for foraging [[Media:Roberto_Keller_eLife.pdf|(Keller et al. 2014)]].

Castes
Major workers absent

Nomenclature

 *  nitidior. Dendromyrmex fabricii subsp. nitidior Santschi, 1921g: 102 (w.) PANAMA. Combination in C. (Dendromyrmex): Fernández, 2002: 71. Raised to species and senior synonym of isthmicus: Fernández, 2002: 71.
 * isthmicus. Dendromyrmex fabricii subsp. isthmicus Weber, 1943b: 76 (q.) PANAMA. Junior synonym of nitidior: Fernández, 2002: 71.