Camponotus karsti

The distribution of C. karsti is limited to the dry forest of the RS Ankarana in the north of Madagascar (Fig. 62D). Nest site for this species is unknown, but foraging is carried out on lower portions of vegetation.

Identification
With head in full-face view, eye not breaking lateral cephalic margin; mesonotum short and lacking constriction; promesonotum an even convexity; propodeum with blunt angle at ca. posterior 1/2; anterior margin of petiolar node in profile very low, dorsal surface noticeably horizontal, ca. 2 × as long as posterior surface.

Camponotus karsti can be confounded with Camponotus harenarum because both species are characterized by the presence of a blunt angle at approximately the posterior 1/2 of propodeal dorsum. However, C. harenarum can be distinguished by the separate convexity of its mesonotum and anterior 1/2 of propodeum, and its petiolar node is approximately as high as long.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Malagasy Region: Madagascar.

Nomenclature

 * . Camponotus karsti Rakotonirina & Fisher, 2022: 118, figs. 5A, 62 (w.) MADAGASCAR.

Type Material

 * Holotype worker. MADAGASCAR: Province Antsiranana: RS Ankarana, 7 km SE Matsaborimanga, -12.9, 49.11667, 150 m, tropical dry forest, low vegetation, 27 Nov 1990 (P.S. Ward) collection code: PSW11005, specimen code: CASENT0217292 (CAS).
 * Paratype. 1 minor worker with same data as holotype but respectively specimen coded as: CASENT0837940 (CAS).