Myrmonesites

Malagasy Hump-back Carpenter Ants

Diagnosis. Emery (1925) - "Worker. - Medium to small species; caste dimorphism weakly marked. Head of majors slightly to not concave posteriorly, nor truncated or obtuse anteriorly; head of minors rounded or truncated posteriorly. Clypeus short, without medial carina or anterior lobe, sometimes depressed or notched anteromedially (C. mocquerysi, Emery). Mesosoma slender or stout (C. letreillei, Emery); dorsum more-or-less impressed at sutures, especially at meso-propodeal suture, depressed, more-or-less marginate or submarginate, especially mesonotum and propodeum; sometimes submargination is vestigial (C. sikorai, Emery). Petiolar node squamiform, more-or-less thick, with a distinct upper surface, or nodiform. Cuticle largely shiny. Queen and male unknown.

Geographical distribution of species. - Madagascar.

Note: Whatever the differences of habitus may be, this subgeneric group seems to me natural. The existence of a dorsal border which is more-or-less restricted to the mesonotum distinguishes the workers of this subgenus from of the workers of the preceding subgenera [note: Emery is referring to subgenera 1–13, see the key to Old World subgenera for listing; Emery ordered the subgenera based on perceived relationships]. C. sikorai, Emery, seems to me to conjoin Myrmonesites with Mayria."

(Translated and edited by B. E. Boudinot, 17 February 2017.)

Myrmonesites is currently a subgenus of Camponotus.

Nomenclature

 *  MYRMONESITES [subgenus of Camponotus]
 * Myrmonesites Emery, 1920b: 242 [as subgenus of Camponotus]. Type-species: Camponotus putatus, by original designation.
 *  MYRMENSITES [unavailable name]
 * Myrmensites Donisthorpe, 1943f: 666, incorrect subsequent spelling of Myrmonesites.