Myrmoxygenys

Imperial Carpenter Ants

Diagnosis: Emery (1925): "Workers - At present, only minors are known; to judge by the head of the female, caste polymorphism appears to be weak or insignificant. Head broadest anteriorly, at mandibular insertions, and rounded posterior to the ogive (missile) shaped eyes; postocciput (articulatory joint of head with pronotum) exposed as occipital ridge reduced to absence. Clypeus lacking median carina, and anteriorly forming a very short, rounded lobe. Frontal carinae close-set; antennal insertions set remarkably distant from posterior clypeal margin. Mandibles with lateral margins nearly straight but curving apically; masticatory margin very oblique, armed with strong teeth, particularly the apical tooth which is very long and acute. Palps very long and hairy. Mesosoma slender; dorsum continuously arched. Petiolar node thick, subpyramidal. Limbs very long. Female. - Head narrowing posteriorly behind eyes, posterior margin truncate. Clypeus subcarinate. Mandibles and palpi as in the worker. Male. - Unknown.

Geographical distribution of the species. - This subgenus is based on the species C. caesar, Forel, which has been found in various places in western and eastern tropical Africa."

(Translated and edited by B. E. Boudinot, 15 February, 2017.)

Myrmoxygenys is currently a subgenus of Camponotus. See Brian Taylor's Ants of Africa page for Camponotus caesar for additional information.

Nomenclature

 *  MYRMOXYGENYS [subgenus of Camponotus]
 * Myrmoxygenys Emery, 1925b: 70 [as subgenus of Camponotus]. Type-species: Camponotus caesar, by monotypy.