Crematogaster fritzi

This species inhabits developed forests and nests in dead twigs on trees.

Identification
Hosoishi and Ogata (2016) - In the worker this species can be distinguished from all other members of the Crematogaster biroi group by the scape with appressed setae, distinct compound eyes, generally smooth dorsal surface of head, and sparse erect and stout setae on body. This species is similar to Crematogaster luzonensis, but can be distinguished from it by the appressed setae on scape, longer setae on anterior mesonotal ridges, sparse erect setae on fourth abdominal tergite.

Distribution
Malaysia (Peninsula), Brunei, Indonesia (Sumatra, Sulawesi).

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Indo-Australian Region: Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Micronesia (Federated States of), New Guinea, Sulawesi.

Nomenclature

 *  fritzi. Crematogaster fritzi Emery, 1901g: 576, fig. B (w.m.) INDONESIA (Sulawesi). Combination in C. (Orthocrema): Emery, 1922e: 132. Subspecies of sordidula: Forel, 1902h: 410. Revived status as species: Emery, 1912e: 668.

Worker
Hosoishi and Ogata (2016) - (n= 14): HW 0.40–0.48; HL 0.42–0.49; CI 95–100; SL 0.34–0.40; SI 80–89; EL 0.10–0.13; PW 0.24–0.31; WL 0.45–0.54; PSL 0.07–0.1; PtL 0.15–0.18; PtW 0.13–0.16; PtH 0.11–0.13; PpL 0.09–0.12; PpW 0.14–0.17; PtHI 69–76; PtWI 82–94; PpWI 127–167; WI 100–108.

Workers monomorphic. Head subquadratic in full-face view. Mandibles with four teeth arranged at an equal distance, apical and subapical teeth large, basal two teeth smaller. Anterior clypeal margin convex in medial portion. Compound eyes distinctly projecting beyond lateral margins of head in full-face view. Scapes reaching posterolateral corners of head.

Pronotal collar with almost straight anterior margin in dorsal view, distinctly lower than pronotum in lateral view. Pronotal dorsum with feeble ridges laterally. Mesonotal dorsum with lateral ridges that irregularly extend posteriad to tips of propodeal spines. Pronotum and mesonotum in lateral view forming slightly convex, continuous dorsal outline. Metanotal groove in dorsal view transverse, almost straight in median portion, forming deep concavity that is laterally margined by lamellate ridges. Propodeal spiracles oval, situated at posterolateral corners of propodeum, apart from metapleural gland bullae. Propodeal spines developed, longer than diameter of propodeal spiracles, in dorsal view directed posteriad.

Petiole in dorsal view with subparallel sides and narrow anteriorly, longer than wide. Posterior portion of petiole with short process that is slightly higher than posterior margin of petiole disc in lateral view, with node-like process in lateral view. Subpetiolar process developed as blunt process. Postpetiole in lateral view with weakly convex dorsum, as high as petiole, in dorsal view as wide as or slightly narrower than petiole, weakly bilobed posteriorly but without longitudinal sulcus. Subpostpetiolar process developed bluntly.

Integument essentially sculptured. Dorsal surface of head generally smooth, but with rugulae on surrounding region of antennal sockets. Mandibles with feeble rugulae and smooth interspaces. Clypeus generally smooth, but with one distinct pair of longitudinal rugulae and one pair of feeble rugulae and weakly sculptured interspaces; distinct rugulae extending to posterior clypeal margin. Anterolateral shoulders of pronotum with rugulae. Dorsal surface of pronotum with longitudinal rugulae and weakly sculptured interspaces. Lateral surface of pronotum generally smooth and shining. Mesopleura weakly sculptured. Pronotum and mesonotum with longitudinal rugulae and sculptured interspaces. Dorsal surface of propodeum generally smooth and shining, but one pair of rugulae running from metanotal groove extending posteriorly and diverging to tips of propodeal spines. Dorsal surface of petiole generally smooth. Lateral surface of petiole sculptured. Dorsal and lateral surfaces of postpetiole smooth and shining.

Standing pilosity sparse. Dorsal face of head with three pairs of erect and stout setae, and short and appressed seate abundantly. Clypeus with two pairs of long and stout setae in anterior portion, one directed upward and the other downward. Anterior clypeal margin with one pair of long setae medially and some pair of short setae laterally. Scapes with appressed setae. Mesosoma with three pairs of long erect and stout setae (ps1PN, psaMN, and pspMN) that are much longer than other erect setae. Posterolateral tubercles of petiole posteriorly with one pair of stout setae. Postpetiole with two pairs of stout setae on disc posteriorly. Fourth abdominal tergite with three to four pairs of erect and stout setae, and short appressed setae abundantly.

Body yellow. All flagellar segments yellow.

Type Material
Hosoishi and Ogata (2016) - Syntype workers, Tomohon, Sulawesi, Indonesia (, examined). One syntype worker (basal specimen of three of top label of one pin) in MCSN here designated Lectotype.