Camponotus inaequalis

Identification
Structurally, C. conspicuus inaequalis Roger is almost identical to Camponotus tortuganus from Florida, but the typical red and black coloration of C. tortuganus does not match the coloration of C. conspicuus inaequalis that we have seen from the Bahamas. Our guess is that C. tortuganus is either a native Florida geographic isolate of C. conspicuus inaequalis, or it represents a form of C. conspicuus imported from outside the range of C. conspicuus inaequalis. We have seen a series from the Florida Keys that is colored exactly like Bahamian C. conspicuus inaequalis (Deyrup et al. 1988), but we are not quite ready to add this to our list of Florida exotics until the taxonomic status of this complex is a little clearer. Nature may outpace taxonomists: the experiment to test whether C. tortuganus and C. conspicuus inaequalis are reproductively isolated may already be under way in the Florida Keys. (Deyrup, Davis & Cover, 2000.)

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Cuba.

Nomenclature

 *  inaequalis. Camponotus inaequalis Roger, 1863a: 147 (w.q.) CUBA. Combination in C. (Myrmoturba): Forel, 1914a: 267; in C. (Tanaemyrmex): Emery, 1925b: 80. Material of the unavailable name eburneus referred here by Wheeler, W.M. 1913b: 503 (in text). Currently subspecies of conspicuus: Forel, 1914a: 267.