Camponotus leptocephalus

De Oliveira et al. (2015) found Camponotus leptocephalus nesting in Cecropia pachystachya in southwestern Bahia, Brazil.

Identification
A member of the subgenus Myrmostenus.

Mackay (1997) - This species has the least elongate head among the species in this subgenus (CI 61). It can be easily distinguished as it is much more hairy, with the hairs being primarily short bristles. The sculpture is relatively more rough than in the other species in the complex.

This species forms one of the extremes in the range of head shape, sculpture and hairiness, and thus belongs to a separate species complex. The head is not as elongate as most of the other species (CI 61) or flattened as the other species. It appears to be distantly related to Camponotus sphenocephalus, and can be easily separated as the clypeus is covered with erect hairs (none in C. sphenocephalus). This species is definitely not a member of the subgenus Pseudocolobopsis, as the maxillary palps are long, which is not found in species in Pseudocolobopsis.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Brazil.

Nomenclature

 *  leptocephalus. Camponotus (Pseudocolobopsis) leptocephalus Emery, 1923: 62, fig. 3 (q.) BRAZIL. Combination in C. (Myrmostenus): Mackay, 1997: 197.

Queen
Mackay (1997) - HL 2.36, HW 1.44, SL 2.38, EL 0.56, clypeal length 0.74, width 0.70. Indices: SI 101, CI 61, clypeal index 95.

Mandible with 6 teeth; clypeus slightly longer than broad, with poorly defined median carina, anterior clypeal border slightly concave; scape long, extending nearly half its length past posterior border of head; head slightly flattened when seen in profile; vertex concave when seen from the front and above, convex as seen in full face view; maxillary palps extending about 3/4 distance to foramen magnum; labial palps about 1/3 length of maxillary palps; mesosoma lengthened as in other species; propodeum with posterior face about 1/2 of basal face; petiole with convex anterior face, nearly flat posterior face.

Hairs (erect and suberect) abundant on head and gaster, few scattered erect hairs on mesosoma and propodeum; decumbent pubescence scattered, but sparse on all body surfaces, length up to 0.06 mm in length.

Lightly but densely and evenly punctate on head, coriaceous on all surfaces of mesosoma and gaster.

Color concolorous medium brown, gaster slightly darker.

Type Material
Mackay (1997) - Lectotype queen [here designated], Espir. Santo, X.1920-II.l921; Arp dedic; Camp. leptocephalus n. [seen]; second female not seen.