Camponotus rotrae

Endemic to Madagascar, C. rotrae is geographically limited to the south-central high plateau of Madagascar. The species occupies montane rainforests of the PN Andringitra, gallery forest and grassland of the PN Isalo, savannah woodland of Itremo, and relict montane rainforest of the Forêt Classée d’Analavelona (Fig. 72D). The species nests mainly in rotten logs and under stones. Based on collection data, workers most often forage on the ground and rarely on lower vegetation.

Identification
In full-face view, lateral margins of head anterior to eye level diverging posteriorly; anterior clypeal margin truncate; two pairs of white spots present on second and third abdominal tergites; pronotum, mesonotum, and propodeum not forming separate convexities, metanotal groove not depressed; propodeum immediately in junction with promesonotum; propodeal dorsum straight.

See Camponotus gibber for additional details.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Malagasy Region: Madagascar.

Nomenclature

 * . Camponotus rotrae Rakotonirina & Fisher, 2022: 157, figs. 39A, 72 (s.w.) MADAGASCAR.

Type Material

 * Holotype worker. MADAGASCAR: Province Fianarantsoa: PN Isalo, 9.1 km 354° N Ranohira, -22.48167, 45.46167, 725 m, gallery forest, ex rotten log, 27–31 Jan 2003 (Fisher, Griswold et al.) collection code: BLF07331, specimen code: CASENT0485625 (CAS).
 * Paratype. 1 major worker of same data as holotype but specimen coded as: CASENT0485628 (CAS).