Crematogaster aurita

Crematogaster ampullaris workers have been found foraging on a tree trunk in a dipterocarp forest.

Identification
Hosoishi and Ogata (2009) - This species is similar to Crematogaster inflata in the coloration, but can be distinguished by the rugulae on the clypeus and the sculptured body.

Distribution
Hosoishi and Ogata (2009) - This species is known from Indochinese Peninsula; Vietnam (southern parts), Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand (except for southern parts).

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam.

Nomenclature

 * . Crematogaster (Physocrema) aurita Karavaiev, 1935a: 92, fig. 18 (w.) CAMBODIA.
 * Type-material: lectotype worker (by designation of Hosoishi & Ogata, 2009a: 3), 2 paralectotype workers.
 * Type-locality: lectotype Cambodia: Pursat, W bank of Grande Lac, 10.iii.1930, no. 5778 (K. Davydov); paralectotypes with same data.
 * Type-depository: SIZK.
 * Status as species: Chapman & Capco, 1951: 102; Bolton, 1995b: 148; Hosoishi & Ogata, 2009a: 3 (redescription); Hosoishi & Ogata, 2009b: 20 (redescription); Jaitrong, Guénard, et al. 2016: 34.
 * Distribution: Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam.

Worker
Hosoishi and Ogata (2009) - HW 0.95–1.84; HL 0.89–1.8; CI 102–110; SL 0.91–1.4; SI 76–96; EL 0.22–0.34; PW 0.5–1.04; WL 1.07–2.13; PSL 0; PtL 0.31–0.62; PtW 0.23–0.48; PtH 0.16–0.32; PpL 0.18–0.42; PpW 0.26–0.49; PtHI 50–52; PtWI 74–80; PpWI 117–146; WI 100–112 (Three workers measured).

Workers with pronounced size polymorphism.

Scape of large workers not reaching posterior corner of head.

In lateral view, pronotum and mesonotum forming a single convexity; mesonotum differentiated from pronotum in large workers; propodeum slightly raised relative to promesonotum. Anterior margin of pronotal collar slightly concave in dorsal view. Metanotal groove almost straight in dorsal view, not so deep and situated slightly posterior to the posterior ridge of pronotum in lateral view; thorax not strongly constricted in middle in dorsal view. In dorsal view, no longitudinal rugulae connecting between mesonotum and propodeum; the boundary distinct. Propodeal spiracle situated near the metapleural gland orifice, the distance between them about the same as the propodeal spiracle diameter. Propodeal spines absent.

Clypeus sculptured with longitudinal rugulae. Dorsal face of head covered with abundant longitudinal rugulae. Propodeal and metapleural area more or less smooth and shining in small workers, but distinctly rugulose and punctate in large workers.

Standing pilosity abundant, some pairs on dorsal face of head and abundant on dorsal portion of mesonotum. Dorsal face of head with appressed setae. Clypeus with short and long setae. Fourth abdominal tergite with suberect and appressed setae.

Body bicolored with head, promesonotum, petiole, postpetiole, gaster and legs dark-brown and with metanotal and propodeal area red-brown.

Type Material
Hosoishi and Ogata (2009) - Lectotype and two paralectotypes from CAMBODIA: Pursat, “Westufer des Grand lac”, 10. iii. 1930, Nr 5778 (K. Davydov) (UASK) [examined].

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Hosoichi S., and K. Ogata. 2009. A taxonomic revision of the Asian endemic subgenus Physocrema of the genus Crematogaster (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 2062: 15-36.
 * Hosoishi S. and K. Ogata. 2009. A check list of the ant genus Crematogaster in Asia (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Bull. Inst. Trop. Agr. Kyushu Univ. 32: 43-83.
 * Hosoishi S., and K. Ogata. 2009. A taxonomic revision of the Asian endemic subgenus Physocrema of the genus Crematogaster (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 2062: 15-36.
 * Hosoishi S.; and K. Ogata. 2009. The ant genus Crematogaster Lund, subgenus Physocrema Forel, in the Indochinese Peninsula. Asian Myrmecology 2 (2008): 1-10.
 * Hosoishi, S. and K. Ogata. 2008. The ant genus Crematogaster Lund, subgenus Physocrema Forel, in the Indochinese Peninsula (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Asian Myrmecology 2:1-10.
 * Jaitrong W., B. Guenard, E. P. Economo, N. Buddhakala, and S. Yamane. 2016. A checklist of known ant species of Laos (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Asian Myrmecology 8: 1-32. DOI: 10.20362/am.008019