Paramyrmamblys

Santschi's False Cork-head Ants

Paramyrmamblys was established by Santschi (1926) for species which fit the following description.

Diagnosis. Santschi (1926). - "Differs from Myrmamblys by the form of the major worker's clypeus, which is usually trapezoidal or convex, or more-or-less carinate, with anterior margin convex and rarely impressed. Mesosoma compressed posteriorly, and profile continuous, arched or straight, but without propodeal ensellure[?]. Slope of propodeum abrupt.

Notes: In addition to the type species, C. ostiarius, this subgenus also includes Camponotus bertolonii Emery, brookei Forel, limbiventris, orinobates, orites, orinodromus Santschi, residue of the 5th group of Myrmamblys Emery, to which may be added C. lilianae Forel, and simus Emery, and somewhat aberrant, C. ferrerei Forel of the 6th group.

This subgenus appears to derive from the same African strain as the subgenus Myrmespera Santschi, Myrmopsamma Forel, and Myrmoxygenys Emery; but while the latter three may have found their means of defense in their strongly armed mandibles and their robustness, Paramyrmamblys acquired it by adaptation to the function of major worker phragmosis. Camponotus (Myrmespera) crepusculi Arnold approaches the form of the previous two subgenera.

[Note: It is unclear why Santschi considers species of Paramyrmamblys to be closely related to Myrmopsamma and particularly to the enigmatic and Dinomyrmex-like subgenus Myrmoxygenys.]"

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

Paramyrmamblys is currently a subgenus of Camponotus.

Nomenclature

 *  PARAMYRMAMBLYS [subgenus of Camponotus]
 * Paramyrmamblys Santschi, 1926c: 604 [as subgenus of Camponotus]. Type-species: Camponotus (Myrmamblys) ostiarius, by original designation.