Camponotus dryandrae

Very large, widespread species that is common in the Darling Range. Nests in the Darling Range are often found in compacted laterite clay around the boles of trees, but are also made directly into soil. C. dryandrae is found in the south-west and goldfields of Western Australia. (Heterick 2009)

Identification
A member of the Camponotus nigriceps species group. McArthur and Adams (1996) - Near Camponotus nigriceps incolour and form but with distinct pilosity. C. dryandrae possesses < 10 setae (length> 0.3 mm) on the propodeum, all clustered at the propodeal angle and cover < 50% of propodeal dorsum. In C. nigriceps similar long setae are dense and cover > 50% propodeal dorsum. C. dryandrae can occur in sympatry with C. nigriceps over at least part of its range.

Heterick (2009) - The distribution of erect and sub-erect setae on the propodeum distinguishes Camponotus nigriceps from the similar C. dryandrae; setae being continuous along the propodeal dorsum in C. nigriceps, and concentrated near the propodeal angle in C. dryandrae.

Camponotus prostans and C. dryandrae are very difficult to separate on morphological characters alone. The only reliable feature is the reduced number of setae found on the venter of the head capsule in C. prostans, a feature that requires examination through a microscope. However, in the field their rich reddish- or yellowish-brown-and-black colouration separates most workers of C. dryandrae from the more sober, uniformly blackish or brown-and-black C. prostans.

Distribution
Central and south-western Australia (McArthur and Adams 1996), common in the Darling Range (Heterick 2009).

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Nomenclature

 *  dryandrae. Camponotus dryandrae McArthur, in McArthur & Adams, 1996: 27, fig. 19 (s.w.) AUSTRALIA.

Description
Colour: head black, rnesosoma, node, coxa and femur red brown, gaster black sometimes with a trace of red-brown proximal to the node, tarsi slightly darker than tibia. Pilosity: up to 0.4 mm long, plentiful on pronotum, less on mesonotum and 5-10 on propodeum, clustered near angle (Fig. 19a, b), plentiful but shorter on gula, plentiful on gaster pointing backwards, short setae on scapes raised to 20°, short setae on midtibiae raised to 30°. Pubescence: suberect setae about 0.1 mm long, spaced < length, visible on the dorsum of mesosoma, more adpressed on head. Integument finely reticulate, glossy. Node summit viewed from rear: flatly convex, in major workers sometimes slightly concave. Metanotum usually distinct in major workers.

HW = 1.40-3.75 mm; TL = 2.60-3.53 mm; n = 10. TL = 2.34 +1.65 log HW (n = 10, r = 0.93, s.e.(y) = 0.16, s.e.(x). = 0.07). PD:D = 1.5 m major workers increasing to 3.0 in minor workers.

Type Material
Holotype. One major worker (pinned) plus paratypcs in alcohol, SAMA,,. Collected by M. Adams, Nov. 1992, from Dryandra Slate Forest, Western Australia.



Etymology
This species is named after Dryandra State Forest, Western Australia, from where it was first collected. Robert Brown of the Flinders Expedition named the genus of plants after Dryander, a contemporary botanist.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * McArthur A. J., and M. Adams. 1996. A morphological and molecular revision of the Camponotus nigriceps group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Australia. Invertebr. Taxon. 10: 1-46.