Camponotus fraseri

The type material was collected from a honey bait.

Identification
McArthur (2008) - A member of the C. claripes group (McArthur 2007a), a close relative of Camponotus minimus. Both lack erect setae on the underside of the head and have wide frontal carinae. The distinctive short sloping setae present on the scapes of this species are absent in C. minimus.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Nomenclature

 *  fraseri. Camponotus fraseri McArthur, 2008: 119, figs. (w.) AUSTRALIA.

Worker
Measurements: HL = 0.91HW + 0.36, (R2 = 0.92, n =5); PW = 0.68HW + 0.15, (R2 = 0.87, n =5); CW = 0.48HW -0.10, (R2 = 0.84, n =5).

Minor. Mesosoma: dorsum of pronotum, mesonotum and propodeum evenly convex, angle well rounded about 150°; declivity mostly straight, ratio propodeal dorsum / declivity nearly 2; erect setae and short flat-lying setae on mesosoma sparse; integument on side of mesonotum and propodeum sharply striate. Node: anterior mostly straight, convex above; posterior flat; summit blunt. Appendages: tibiae with plentiful short setae raised to 20°; scapes with plentiful short setae raised to 30°. Head: underside in lateral view without erect setae; in front view, setae sparse; sides straight, parallel; vertex convex; frontal carinae width < HW/3; maximum head width occurs at eye centres; clypeus anterior margin projecting, convex. Colour: dark brown, limbs and front of head lighter.

Type Material
Holotype: One minor worker pinned in “S. A. Marino CP 35°03’S 138°31’E honey 11 pm 2/11/2003 J Fraser N Skinner” Paratypes: Three minor workers with same data pinned in each of SAMA, and.

Etymology
Named after Jack Fraser, a volunteer worker at Marino Conservation Park.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * McArthur A. J. 2008. New species of Camponotus (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Australia. Annalen des Naturhistorischen Museums in Wien. B, Botanik, Zoologie 109: 111-129.