Camponotus perjurus

This species appears to be a mimic of members of the Iridomyrmex purpureus species group. This is based on the purple or green iridescent colour which is similar to Iridomyrmex viridiaeneus. Also, only single foragers have been found and most of these have been collected in association with Iridomyrmex spodipilus and Camponotus prosseri. They have been found from central South Australia west into south-central Western Australia.

Identification
Head of minor worker produced upwards so that its attachment to the pronotum is well below its upper margin. Often with weak purple or green iridescent hue on head and body. The attachment of the head is unique to this species group, if not the genus, and will readily separate this species from others.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Nomenclature

 *  perjurus. Camponotus perjurus Shattuck & McArthur, 2002: 88, figs. 60-62 (w.) AUSTRALIA.

Minor worker
Anterior clypeal margin wide, projecting, evenly convex and feebly crenulate, with a feeble medial carina. Pronotum and mesonotum a raised convexity which smoothly joins the feebly concave dorsal surface of the propodeum, the propodeal angle rounded, its posterior face short and straight, the ratio of dorsum to declivity about 4. Metanotal spiracles high, near the dorsal mesosomal surface. Petiolar node leaning forward, parallel anteriorly and posteriorly, with a long, weakly convex summit. Body red-brown except for gaster and parts of legs which are darker, sometimes with a weak purple or green iridescent hue. Entire body clothed in fine white indistinct pubescence with sparse long setae on the anterior and posterior of head, mesosoma, petiolar node and gaster, absent on the underside of head.

Measurements
Minor worker (n=5). CI 0.79 — 0.95; HL I .89mm — 2.31mm; HW 1.72mm - 1.84mm; ML 2.84mm - 3.1Imm; MTL 2.32mm - 2.43mm; PnW 1.41mm - 1.54mm; SI 1.22 - 1.28; SL 2.14mm - 2.30mm.

Etymology
From perjurus, to lie about one's true nature, alluding to the apparent mimicry of Iridomyrmex species.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Shattuck S. O., A . J. McArthur. 2002. A taxonomic revision of the Camponotus wiederkehri and perjurus species-groups (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia 126: 63-90.