Camponotus echinoploides

Endemic to Madagascar, C. echinoploides occupies the eastern rainforest, areas with transitional northern rainforest, relict montane rainforest in the central plateau, and the southwest of the island. The fact that most of its members have been found foraging on low vegetation and nesting in dead branches above the ground suggests that C. echinoploides is arboreal. (Rakotonirina, Csősz & Fisher, 2016)

Identification
Rakotonirina et al. (2016) - A member of the Camponotus edmondi species group. In profile, anterior and posterior margins of petiolar node convex; in profile, propodeum strongly compressed anteroposteriorly, without clear distinction between dorsal margin and declivity; in dorsal view, mesonotum three times as broad as long; posterodorsal corner of mesonotum raised into a bluntly rounded shield.

Camponotus echinoploides is mostly similar to Camponotus galoko, but the latter has no extended shield rising from the posterodorsal corner of the mesonotum.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Malagasy Region: Madagascar.

Nomenclature

 *  echinoploides. Camponotus echinoploides Forel, 1891b: 51, pl. 1, fig. 8 (w.) MADAGASCAR. Combination in C. (Myrmobrachys): Forel, 1914a: 270; in C. (Orthonotomyrmex): Emery, 1920b: 258; in C. (Myrmepinotus): Santschi, 1921f: 312.

Worker
Rakotonirina et al. (2016) - Minor. In full-face view head as long as broad (CWb/CL: 0.94–1), broader posteriorly; posterior margin broadly convex, lateral margins roughly straight. Eyes larger relative to head size (EL/CS: 0.19–0.24), anterior level located at about posterior third of head (PrOc/CL: 0.52–0.6). Clypeus with broadly convex anterior margin and medially notched posterior margin. Mandible triangular, masticatory margin armed with six sharp teeth. Antennal scape slightly long (SL/CS: 0.9–1.05), distal half almost surpassing posterior cephalic margin. Pronotal dorsum flat, anteriorly projecting into narrow ridge; dorsum and lateral face separated by longitudinal margination. In dorsal view, mesonotum three times as broad as long, posterodorsal corner raised into bluntly rounded ridge. Propodeum strongly compressed anteroposteriorly and lacking a clear separation of the dorsal margin and declivity. Propodeal spiracle located on posterior face of propodeum. Procoxa voluminous, maximum width as large as the combined width of meso-metapleuron and propodeal surface; femur of foreleg enlarged, twice as large as those of mid-leg and hind leg. Anterior and posterior margins of petiolar node convex. No constriction between abdominal segments III and IV.

Dorsum of head and mesosoma finely and densely reticulate punctate. Mandible finely and densely reticulate superimposed with scattered large punctures. Gastral segments covered with finely and densely reticulate punctate sculpture. Whitish erect hairs present as a pair on mesonotum and as two pairs near lateral margins of propodeum. Hairs lacking on pronotum. Whitish erect hairs present near lateral margins of posterior face of petiolar node. Gastral segments with sparse and much shorter erect hairs and pubescence. Body color shining black; appendages black to dark brown basally, flagellum brown, trochanter and metatarsus light brown to yellow.

Major. Characteristics of minor worker, except: head in full-face view as long as broad (CWb/CL: 1.01–1.02), lateral margins almost parallel, but strongly converging near the base of mandibles. Eyes smaller relative to head size (EL/CS: 0.17), anterior level located roughly at mid-length of head (PrOc/CL: 0.51–0.51). Anterior clypeal margin truncate and posterior margin medially notched. Apical portion of antennal scape barely reaching posterior cephalic margin (SL/CS: 0.6–0.62). In dorsal view, mesonotum roughly twice as broad as long. Metanotum visible between metanotal groove and propodeum.

Type Material
Rakotonirina et al. (2016) - Holotype minor worker, Madagascar, 30 miles northwest Toamasina (=Tamatave) (O’swald), AntWeb CASENT0101379 [examined].

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Fisher B. L. 1997. Biogeography and ecology of the ant fauna of Madagascar (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Journal of Natural History 31: 269-302.
 * Fisher B. L. 2003. Formicidae, ants. Pp. 811-819 in: Goodman, S. M.; Benstead, J. P. (eds.) 2003. The natural history of Madagascar. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, xxi + 1709 pp.
 * Wheeler W. M. 1922. Ants of the American Museum Congo expedition. A contribution to the myrmecology of Africa. IX. A synonymic list of the ants of the Malagasy region. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 45: 1005-1055