Camponotus longicollis

Specimens have been collected via litter sifting and hand collecting on a rotten log.

Identification
Rasoamanana et al. (2007) - The following character combination distinguishes Camponotus longicollis from Camponotus karaha and Camponotus jodina: petiole relatively low and nodiform. NOH/CS 0.126 [0.091, 0.181]. Dorsal margin of clypeus weakly convex in lateral view.

Distribution
Camponotus longicollis has only been collected at two localities in the northwest Sambirano region of Madagascar, Réserve Spéciale de Manongarivo and Mont Kalabenono and Mont Galoko on the Galoko mountain chain.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Malagasy Region: Madagascar.

Mimicry
Within Madagascar, there are four species of Camponotus, Camponotus imitator, Camponotus jodina, Camponotus karaha and Camponotus longicollis, that mimic the general form and behavior of the Aphaenogaster swammerdami group, specifically Aphaenogaster bressleri, Aphaenogaster gonacantha, Aphaenogaster makay, Aphaenogaster sahafina and Aphaenogaster swammerdami. These Camponotus mimics are often seen foraging with workers of Aphaenogaster, but potential benefits for Camponotus have not been studied (Csosz et al., 2021).

Nomenclature

 * . Camponotus longicollis Rasoamanana, et al. 2017: 147, figs. 6A, 7A, 16-18 (s.w.) MADAGASCAR.

Worker
Minor Head longer than wide, posterior region of head extended into an elongate neck, sides of the head narrowed anteriorly, absolute cephalic size: 2.035 mm [1.74, 2.26] (n = 22). Erect, short, filiform setae present on head. Eyes located posterior to the midlength of head capsule in full-face view, postocular distance vs. cephalic length. PoOC/CL 0.428 [0.364, 0.475]. Frontal carina convex. FR/CS 0.216 [0.191, 0.229]. Scape distinctly surpassing posterior margin by almost half of its length. SL/CS 1.608 [1.434, 1.681]. Prominence on anteromedial clypeal margin projecting as a triangular spur, and dorsal outline of clypeus smoothly convex in profile; masticatory margin with 6 teeth, palps long with respect to head size.

Pronotum weakly undulant. Anterior region of mesonotum (immediately posterior of the promesonotal suture) in profile rising above pronotum. Mesonotum straight and elongate, distinctly compressed laterally anterior to mesothoracic spiracles. MPD/CS 1.473 [1.345, 1.580]. Suberect filiform setae present except on propodeum, which is covered with dense pubescence. Mesothoracic spiracles prominent; propodeal dorsum convex, mesonotum, and dorsum of propodeum meet at a right angle. ML/CS 2.202 [2.106, 2.280].

Petiole low and nodiform. Posterior face of petiole meets its dorsum at a rounded angle. PEW/CS 0.201 [0.170, 0.230].

Entire body dark brown to black; femora and tibiae dark brown, basitarsus of second and third legs light brown, funicular segments light brown becoming dark brown apically. Head and pronotum microreticulate, mesonotum smooth and shiny, propodeum and fore-coxae moderately reticulate-punctate.

Major Head suboval, posterolateral sides of head tapering to rear, absolute cephalic size: 2.427 mm [2.418, 2.444] (n=3). Erect, short, filiform setae present on head. Eyes located close to the cephalic midlength. PoOC/CL 0.399 [0.392, 0.409]. Frontal carina convex. FR/CS 0.247 [0.240, 0.256]. Scape surpassing posterior margin by more than one third of its length. SL/CS 1.318 [1.264, 1.345]. Anterior margin of clypeus projecting to an obtuse angle, dorsal outline of clypeus smoothly convex in profile; masticatory margin with 6 teeth, palps long with respect to head size.

Similar appearance as minor worker. Anterior region of mesonotum (immediately posterior to the pro-mesonotal suture) in profile rising above pronotum. Mesonotum straight and elongate, distinctly compressed laterally anterior to mesothoracic spiracles. Suberect filiform setae present, propodeum covered with dense pubescence, pubescence generally sparse elsewhere. Mesothoracic spiracles feebly produced laterally; propodeal dorsum convex, mesonotum and propodeum dorsum meet at a right angle. ML/CS 1.922 [1.853, 1.997]. Petiole low and nodiform. Posterior face of petiole meeting its dorsum at rounded to acute angle. PEW/CS 0.206 [0.190, 0.215].

Overall color black; basal funicular segments yellowish brown and becoming dark apically; basitarsus of second and third legs light brown. Color of filiform setae whitish. Head and pronotum finely reticulate, mesonotum smooth and shiny, clypeus, gena, propodeum and fore-coxae moderately reticulate punctate.

Type Material
Holotype worker: Madagascar, Province Antsiranana, Galoko chain, Mont Kalabenono, -13.63999, 48.67374, 498 m, 15.xi.2013, rainforest, ex rotten log. (B.L. Fisher et al.). Collection code: BLF32079. Unique specimen identifier: CASENT0370614. Paratype workers: Two workers with the same data as holotype but collection code: BLF32133, Unique specimen identifier: CASENT0370620; CASENT0370621 (CASC).

Etymology
This species name is based on the Latin terms for long, “longi”, and “collis”, neck.