Camponotus enigmaticus

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Nicaragua.

Nomenclature

 *  enigmaticus. Camponotus enigmaticus Mackay, W.P., Mackay, M. & Mackay, E.E., 2004: 460, figs. 1-9 (s.w.) NICARAGUA.

Worker
Major. HL 1.82, HW 1.68, SL 1.26, EL0.41, CL0.70, CW0.63, WL 1.96, FFL 1.20, FFW 0.41. Indices: CI 92, SI 69, CLI 89, FFI 34.

Mandible apparently with 5 teeth (closed); anterior border of clypeus nearly straight, carina absent, sides of clypeus nearly straight, diverging anteriorly, region anterior to tentorial pits depressed; sides of head broadly rounded, slightly narrowed anteriorly, posterior border broadly rounded; frontal carinae widely spaced; eyes nearly reach sides of head; scape extends slightly more than first funicular segment past posterior lateral corner; dorsum of mesosoma weakly convex; pronotum slightly swollen at shoulder; propodeum slightly angulate between two faces of equal length, spiracle circular; petiole moderately thickened as seen in profile, subpetiolar process angulate.

Erect hairs abundant on head, hairs on clypeus spatulate, short (0.02 - 0 .05 mm), hairs on cheeks and malar area similar those between frontal carinae, and remainder of sides of head, blunt-tipped, hairs along posterior margin blunt-tipped or sharp, scape with several, erect hairs, including hairs at apex, dorsum of mesosoma, dorsum of petiole, and all surfaces of gaster, with sharp-tipped hairs, hairs on tibiae abundant, suberect, appressed pubescence sparse on head, mesosoma, fine, dense, and abundant on gaster.

Head densely, evenly punctate, dull, dorsum of mesosoma punctate, side of pronotum finely coriaceous, remainder of side of mesosoma punctate, with punctures in poorly defined rows, petiole coriaceous, dorsum of gaster very finely punctate, dull.

Most of head, antennae, mandibles red, posterior edge of head, mesosoma, petiole, and gaster black, legs dark brown, much of coxae and trochanters medium brown.

Intermediate major. HL 1.60, HW 1.48, SL 1.34, EL 0.40, CL 0.61, CW 0.60, WL 1.98, FFL 1.22, FFW 0.39. Indices: CI 93, SI 84, CLI 98, FFI 32.

Similar to major worker, differing in that scapes are longer, extending about 1/3 the length past posterior lateral corner, hairs on clypeus and cheek blunt-tipped, not spatulate, or very weakly spatulate. Region between faces of propodeum more angulate, subpetiolar process more rounded. Only anterior 2/3 red, posterior 1/3 of head black.

Minor. HL 1.24-1.26, HW 1.00-1.04, SL 1.38-1.40, EL 0.35-0.36, CL 0.40-0.41, CW 0.56-0.58, WL 1.66-1.70, FFL 1.12-1.16, FFW 0.34-0.35. Indices: CI 81-83, SI 110-113, CLI 136-144, FFI 30.

Mandible apparently with 6 teeth (all closed); anterior border of clypeus nearly straight, carina poorly developed, sides of clypeus nearly straight, diverging anteriorly, sides of head nearly straight, converging anteriorly, posterior border broadly rounded; frontal carinae widely spaced: eyes extending slightly past sides of head; scape extending about ½ length past posterior lateral corner; dorsum of mesosoma broadly rounded; pronotal shoulder forming carina; region between 2 propodeal faces of equal length angulate; petiole moderately thickened as seen in profile, apex sharp, forming carina which extends on side of petiole, subpetiolar process rounded, but swollen.

Dorsum of head with abundant, erect hairs, sharp-tipped, extending from cheek and malar area, along sides of head, and across posterior border, abundant between frontal carinae, on ventral surface of head, dorsum of mesosoma, where some hairs are slightly twisted (especially on propodeum), present on dorsum of petiole, and all surfaces of gaster, hairs on tibiae suberect; appressed hairs scattered on dorsum of head, relatively long (0.05-0.08 mm in length), similar hairs present on dorsum of mesosoma, hairs on dorsum of gaster finer, dense, with individual hairs touching adjacent hairs.

Head finely, but densely punctate, weakly shining, dorsum of mesosoma similar, but with slightly coarser punctures, sides of pronotum coriaceous, moderately shining, remainder of mesosoma punctate as dorsum, petiole coriaceous, dorsum of gaster finely punctate, weakly shining.

Black, anterior edges of cheeks yellowish-brown, mandibles, antennae reddish brown.

Type Material
Holotype major worker, one paratype major worker , 4 paratype minor workers (CWEM, MCZC), Nicaragua, Matagalpa, Hotel Selva Negra, 9-vii-2003, l285m, Wm., E. & M. Ma kay# 20114;

Etymology
From Latin, aenigma, meaning riddle or mystery, referring to the uncertain relationship of this species to the remainder of the genus.