Colobopsis manni

Identification
One of the types is peculiar in possessing a pair of large, irregular tubercles on the anterior surface of the base of the epinotum so that the profile outline of this region is much more like that of Colobopsis bryani. Apart from this exception, manni differs from bryani in the very different shape of the epinotal base, the shorter and somewhat shallower mesoepinotal impression, the distinct anterior and much shorter posterior peduncle of the petiole, the distinct anterodorsal lobes and shorter spines of the node, the much smaller condyle of the gaster and much larger size of the latter. There are also differences in sculpture and color as indicated in the description. (Wheeler 1934)

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Indo-Australian Region: Fiji.

Nomenclature

 *  manni. Camponotus (Colobopsis) manni Wheeler, W.M. 1934e: 418, fig. 4 (w.) FIJI IS. Combination in Colobopsis: Ward, et al., 2016: 350.

Worker
Length, 3-4 mm.

Head precisely like that of the worker dentatus, as broad or very nearly as broad as long, distinctly narrower in front than behind, convex dorsally and ventrally, with feebly rounded sides and distinctly convex posterior border. Mandibles small and narrow, 5-toothed. Clypeus moderately convex, with distinct median and lateral portions, the former transversely elliptical, nearly twice as broad as long, the latter minute and triangular. Eyes rather small and round, moderately convex. Frontal carinae prominent, feebly sinuate, diverging posteriorly; frontal area and groove obsolete. Antennal scapes curved at the base, thickened at their tips which extend about one-fourth their length beyond the posterior border of the head. Pro- and mesonotum as in dentatus, the pronotum very broad, broader than long, rising rather abruptly from the neck, somewhat depressed above, obscurely submarginate on the sides. Promesonotal suture strong, impressed, arcuate; mesonotum much smaller than the pronotum, subelliptical, somewhat broader than long; mesoepinotal suture distinct, but much less pronounced than the promesonotal; mesoepinotal impression large and selliform, like that of bryani but somewhat shorter and shallower. Metanotal spiracles large, on distinct tubercles which project dorsally above the impression. Epinotum longer than broad, its base concave in the middle, terminating posteriorly in two slender, subparallel, somewhat spatulate and posteriorly converging spines, which are directed backward and in some specimens slightly upward; in profile the base of the epinotum seems to slope upward and backward, owing to the development on each side of two somewhat overlapping welts or thick marginations, the more posterior of which is continued along the lateral border of the spine of the same side; epinotal declivity very abrupt, almost semicircularly concave in profile; metasternal angles rectangular. Petiole elongate, with very distinct anterior peduncle; node subcuboidal, somewhat longer than broad, longer than high; in profile with straight, perpendicular anterior and posterior surfaces and anteroposteriorly concave dorsal surface; from above somewhat broader in front than behind, with the sides concave and the dorsal surface strongly marginate anteriorly, laterally and posteriorly. The anterior margination forms a pair of low, rounded lobes, the posterior corners are prolonged as a pair of straight, tapering, blunt-tipped spines, which are about half as long as the height of the node and are directed upward, backward and outward. Posterior peduncle of petiole very long, but distinctly shorter than in bryani, only about half as long as the node. Petiolar spiracles large, tuberculate, projecting laterally. Gaster and legs as in the worker of dentatus, the former much larger than the head, with small anterior condyle, the latter rather stout; fore femora somewhat enlarged.

Head, pro- and mesonotum subopaque; the mandibles, clypeus, head, pro- and mesonotum longitudinally and rather irregularly rugose; the rugae moderately coarse, anteriorly converging on the clypeus, becoming distinctly reticulate only on the extreme occiput, those on the pronotum coarser than on the head; on the mesonotum finer and vermiculate-reticulate; mesopleurae, epinotum, petiole, gaster and legs much more shining; mesopleurae and sides of epinotum coarsely and obliquely rugose; base of epinotum very loosely and irregularly rugulose, declivity, petiole and gaster smooth. Antennal scapes opaque, finely and densely granular; legs shagreened and sparsely punctate; gaster very smooth and shining, sparsely and indistinctly punctulate.

Hairs and pubescence white, the former even sparser than in bryani, distinct only on the ventral surface of the petiole and gaster, mandibles and anterior border of clypeus; the pubescence short and appressed, sparse on the legs, very dilute on the gaster, fine and dense on the funiculi.

Head and gaster black; posterior borders of gastric segments yellowish; mandibles, clypeus, anterior borders of cheeks, thorax and petiole red; antennae and legs slightly paler and more yellowish, tips of funiculi infuscated.

Type Material
Described from three workers taken by Dr. Mann at Somo Somo, Taviuni Island, in my collection and one in the collection of the Museum of Comparative Zoology.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Sarnat Eli M. 2009. The Ants [Hymenoptera: Formicdiae] of Fiji: Systematics, Biogeography and Conservation of an Island Arc Fauna. 80-252
 * Ward, Darren F. and James K. Wetterer. 2006. Checklist of the Ants of Fiji. Fiji Arthropods III 85: 23-47.
 * Wheeler W.M. 1935. Check list of the ants of Oceania. Occasional Papers of the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum 11(11):1-56.
 * Wheeler, W. M. 1934. Some aberrant species of Camponotus (Colobopsis) from the Fiji Islands. Annals of the Entomological Society of America 27:415-424.
 * Wheeler, William Morton. 1934. Some Aberrant Species of Camponotus (Colobopsis) from the Fiji Islands. Annals Entomological Society of America 27: 415-424
 * Wheeler, William Morton.1935.Checklist of the Ants of Oceania.Occasional Papers 11(11): 3-56
 * Wilson E.O., and G.L. Hunt. 1967. Ant fauna of Futuna and Wallis islands, stepping stones to Polynesia. Pacific Insects 9(4): 563-584.
 * Wilson, Edward O. and George L. Hunt. 1967. Ant Fauna of Futuna and Wallis Islands, Stepping Stones To Polynesia. Pacific Insects. 9(4):563-584.
 * Wilson, Edward O. and Hunt, George L. Jr. 1967. Ant Fauna of Futuna and Wallis Islands, Stepping Stones to Polynesia. Pacific Insects. 9(4):563-584