Camponotus jaliensis

Identification
Ionescu-Hirsch (2009) - C. jaliensis and the closely-related Camponotus shaqualavensis (Radchenko, 1997b) are small species of the subgenus Tanaemyrmex, recognizable by the erect setae on the genae, and by the shape and pilosity of the hind tibia that is slightly compressed laterally, without a dorsomedial ridge, covered only with apressed pubescence, and lacking a ventral row of bristles. Specimens from Israel differ from the Syntypes by shorter erect setae on the gena and the presence in about half of the specimens of pale yellowish areas on the first gastral tergite (J. Kugler, personal communication), features that recall C. shaqualavensis. However, they differ from C. shaqualavensis in many details. In C. jaliensis, the mesosoma is dorsally arched, with an elongated propodeum while in shaqualavensis, the propodeal dorsum is straighter, forming a better defined angle with the declivity. The head and mesosoma sculpture of C. jaliensis is stronger than in the shiny C. shaqualavensis; the color of C. shaqualavensis is darker, with larger and bright yellow gastral maculae. C. jaliensis has size, shape, and hindtibia morphology and pilosity similar to Camponotus alii, but differs from it by having erect setae on the genae, as opposed to the glabrous genae in C. alii.

Distribution
Greece and the Near East (Radchenko, 2007).

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: Cyprus, Greece, Israel.

Nomenclature

 *  jaliensis. Camponotus oertzeni var. jaliensis Dalla Torre, 1893: 246 (s.w.) GREECE. [First available use of Camponotus rubripes r. oertzeni var. jaliensis Forel, 1889: 264; unavailable name.] Combination in C. (Tanaemyrmex): Emery, 1925b: 97. Subspecies of maculatus: Emery, 1908a: 201; of aethiops: Emery, 1920c: 7. Raised to species: Pisarski, 1971a: 672; Agosti & Collingwood, 1987a: 58.

Description
Ionescu-Hirsch (2009) - TL = 5.5–9.0, HL = 1.46–2.22, HW = 1.11–2.11, EL = 0.45–0.57, SL = 1.84–2.01, ML = 2.30–2.93, PW = 0.98–1.41, mTbL = 1.45–1.68, hTbL = 1.95–2.27 (n = 20).