Camponotus tapia

The distribution of C. tapia is limited to the high central plateau of Madagascar (Fig. 75D). The species inhabits grassland, savannah woodland, shrubland, and Uapaca woodland in the region. Across these areas, this species nests most often under stones and in rotting tree stumps, and forages mainly on the ground.

Identification
With head in full-face view, lateral margins of head anterior to eye level parallel, lacking erect hairs; clypeus with distinct anterolateral corner; in oblique proﬁle, four or more pairs of erect hairs arranged successively from level of anterior ocular margin towards posterior cephalic margin; in proﬁle, junction of propodeal dorsum to declivity surface broadly angulate; petiole nodelike and not anteroposteriorly compressed.

See Camponotus atimo for further details.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Malagasy Region: Madagascar.

Nomenclature

 * . Camponotus tapia Rakotonirina & Fisher, 2022: 171, figs. 15B, 25A, 29B, 30B, 75 (s.w.) MADAGASCAR.

Type Material

 * Holotype worker. MADAGASCAR: Province Fianarantsoa: Forêt d’Atsirakambiaty, 7.6 km 285° WNW Itremo, -20.59333, 46.56333, 1550 m, grassland, under stone, 22–26 Jan 2003 (Fisher, Griswold et al.) collection code: BLF07214, specimen code: CASENT0493939 (CAS).
 * Paratypes. 5 minor workers and 1 major worker with same data as holotype but respectively with specimen codes: CASENT0826114, CASENT0826115, CASENT0493938, CASENT0837568, CASENT0837569, CASENT0493942 (NHMUK, MHNG, MSNG, PBZT, CAS).