Camponotus dromedarius

Camponotus dromedarius is only known from Madagascar. Members of the species have been found mostly at altitudes between 800–1400 m in the central region, relict montane rainforest in the central west, and eastern montane rainforests. The species nests in rotten logs and rotting tree stumps and forages on the ground and low vegetation in these habitats.

Identification
A member of the subgenus Mayria (see diagnosis). Rakotonirina and Fisher (2018) - Median portion of clypeus not longitudinally carinate; mandible with six teeth; in lateral view, mesosoma short and high, its dorsal outline continuously arched in a dome-like structure; propodeal declivity inclined posteriorly; in lateral view, propodeal dorsum straight, without excision; petiolar node higher than long; anterior clypeal margin broadly convex.

Members of C. dromedarius can be separated from similar species in the group such as Camponotus pulcher and Camponotus lamosy by its larger body size (CL: 1.19–1.84), the straight propodeal dorsum, and the higher than long petiolar node. It can be distinguished from other species by the absence of a median longitudinal carina on its clypeus, the dome-like structure of its mesosoma, and the generally black body color which occasionally has a dark brown mesosoma with orange spots.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Malagasy Region: Madagascar.

Nomenclature

 *  dromedarius. Camponotus dromedarius Forel, 1891b: 65, pl. 2, fig. 5 (w.m.) MADAGASCAR.
 * Combination in C. (Myrmocamelus): Forel, 1914a: 270
 * Combination in C. (Myrmosaga): Emery, 1920b: 257.
 * Combination in C. (Mayria): Emery, 1925b: 122.
 * Status as species: Dalla Torre, 1893: 229; Emery, 1896d: 374 (in list); Wheeler, W.M. 1922a: 1045; Emery, 1925b: 122; Bolton, 1995b: 97; Rakotonirina & Fisher, 2018: 25.
 * Current subspecies: nominal plus pulcher.

Worker
Rakotonirina and Fisher (2018) - Minor. In full-face view, head longer than broad (CWb/CL: 0.80±0.07; 0.72–1.05), lateral margins roughly straight and slightly converging anteriorly; posterior margin more or less straight. Anteromedian clypeal margin straight with broadly convex lateral angle. Eyes not breaking lateral outlines of head, their posterior margins located well behind the mid-length of the head (PoOc/CL: 0.34±0.02; 0.31–0.39). Mandible triangular, masticatory margin with six sharp teeth. Antennal scape long, roughly its distal half extending beyond posterior cephalic border. In lateral view, mesosoma evenly convex, its dorsal outline continuously arched in a dome-like structure; pronotum with anterodorsal margin; pronotum and mesonotum separated by a shallow, broad angle; junction of propodeal dorsum and declivity round. Petiolar node higher than long.

Whitish, erect, filiform hairs abundant and pubescence present on dorsum of head, mesosoma, petiolar node, and gastral segments. Body color generally black or mesosoma dark brown with orange spots.

Major. Characteristics the same as minor worker, except the enlarged head (CS: 1.64±0.12; 1.48– 1.82; CWb/CL: 0.93±0.04; 0.86–0.98); the more strongly built mandible; apical third of antennal scape surpassing posterior cephalic margin; metanotum visible; propodeal dorsum convex and its junction to declivity broadly angulate; petiolar node much higher than long.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Emery C. 1886. Saggio di un catalogo sistematico dei generi Camponotus, Polyrhachis e affini. Memorie della Reale Accademia delle Scienze dell'Istituto di Bologna 5: 363-382
 * 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.
 * Rakotonirina J. C., and B. L. Fisher. 2018. Taxonomic revision of the Malagasy Camponotus subgenus Mayria Hymenoptera, Formicidae) using qualitative and quantitative morphology. Zootaxa 4438: 1-58.