Camponotus hova

Identification
Collingwood et al. (2004) - Superficial resemblance to the Afrotropical Camponotus maculatus, but differs in the reduced number of ventral head hairs, less clearly defined pale spots on the gaster and generally smaller size.

Distribution
Occurring throughout the island complex off the African coast in the Indian Ocean, this species can be regarded as a Malagasy faunal element. (Collingwood et al. 2004)

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Comoros, Mozambique. Malagasy Region: Madagascar, Mayotte, Seychelles. Palaearctic Region: Oman.

Nomenclature

 *  hova. Camponotus maculatus r. hova Forel, 1891b: 35 (s.w.q.) MADAGASCAR. [First available use of Camponotus rubripes r. maculatus var. hova Forel, 1886f: 150; unavailable name.] Combination in C. (Tanaemyrmex): Emery, 1925b: 85. Subspecies of maculatus: Forel, 1897c: 200; Forel, 1907e: 14; Wheeler, W.M. 1922a: 1040. Raised to species: Dalla Torre, 1893: 235; Emery, 1920c: 5; Emery, 1925b: 85. Current subspecies: nominal plus becki, boivini, cemeryi, fairmairei, fulvus, hovahovoides, hovoides, mixtellus, obscuratus, pictiventris, radamae.

Determination Clarifications
A record of Camponotus maculatus for Socotra (Kohl 1907), based on specimens collected in 1899 by the expedition of the Vienna museum, should certainly be referred to C. hova.