Camponotus elegans

Identification
McArthur (2009) - Camponotus elegans has an elongate mesosoma in Camponotus claripes it is higher.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Nomenclature

 *  elegans. Camponotus claripes r. elegans Forel, 1902h: 496 (s.w.) AUSTRALIA. Combination in C. (Myrmophyma): Emery, 1925b: 110. Raised to species: McArthur, 2009: 276.

Worker
Worker Length 5.5 to 8.2mm. The form is exactly like the type Camponotus claripes; the declivity face of the metanotum (= propodeum) is more separate from the basal face. The posterior tibias have on their internal edge, towards the base, little pricks which claripes does not have. Gross punctation of the front of the head is more sparse and almost all of the dimples are rounded (in the case of claripes they are elongated) Cheeks have only a few erect hairs. In the case of the minor worker the indentation of the clypeus is very distinct.

The whole of the body is black,legs pale yellow and antennae brownish yellow. The mandibles are reddish brown in the major worker; in the case of the minor worker the mandibles and clypeus are a yellowish brown. McArthur (2009) - HL = 0.77 * HW + 0.787 (R2 = 0.98, n = 30); PW = 0.43 HW + 0.55 (R2 = 0.97, n = 30); FCW = 0.31 * HW + 0.08 (R2 = 0.97, n = 30).

Major. Head sides posterior three quarters parallel weakly convex, anterior quarter tapering anteriorly. Vertex straight corners widely rounded. Clypeus anterior margin lateral thirds forming shallow on cavities, median third projecting forward, bounded by two teeth, concave between. Mandibles with 6 teeth. FCW < HW / 3. Integument mainly glossy. Pronotum uniformly convex. Mesonotum feebly inclined anteriorly, otherwise weakly convex. Metanotum a feeble transverse trough. Propodeal dorsum weakly convex. Propodeal angle 135° rounded. Petiolar node summit tending sharp. Erect setae on mesosoma dorsum mostly near angle and on pronotum. Genae and underside of head with plentiful erect setae. Scape and tibiae with short setae raised to 10°. Colour: mostly black or brown, legs lighter.

Minor. Head sides straight, parallel. HL > HL. Vertex convex. Clypeus anterior margin median third projecting with a concavity between two blunt teeth. Mandibles with 5 or 6 teeth. FCW < HW / 3. Integument mainly glossy. Pronotum nearly flat. Mesonotum mostly flat. Propodeal dorsum mostly flat. Propodeal angle 135° rounded. Petiolar node length about half height, anterior and posterior straight summit blunt. Erect setae on mesosoma dorsum sparse. Genae and underside of head with plentiful erect setae. Scape and tibiae with short setae raised to 10°. Colour: mostly black or brown, legs lighter.

Type Material
McArthur (2009) - Three syntypes : 1 major and 2 minor workers “C claripes elegans Froggatt Aust Wallsend Forel”.



References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Chong C-S., L. J. Thomson, and A. A. Hoffmann. 2011. High diversity of ants in Australian vineyards. Australian Journal of Entomology 50: 7-21.
 * Mann V. 2013. Using insect biodiversity to measure the effectiveness of on-farm restoration plantings. Master of Environmental Management at the School of Geography and Environmental Studies, University of Tasmania 111 pages.
 * McArthur A. 2010. A guide to Camponotus ants of South Australia. Adelaide: South Australian Museum, IV + 121 pp.
 * McArthur A. J. 2009. New species, new status and new synonymy for Camponotus from Australia (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Myrmecological News 12: 273-286.
 * Taylor R. W. 1987. A checklist of the ants of Australia, New Caledonia and New Zealand (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization) Division of Entomology Report 41: 1-92.
 * Taylor R. W., and D. R. Brown. 1985. Formicoidea. Zoological Catalogue of Australia 2: 1-149.