Camponotus detritus

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Namibia, South Africa.

Biology
C. detritus is an ecologically dominant ant in the central Namib Desert, where it is confined to the sand dunes south of the Kuiseb River and the dry river-bed (Curtis, 1985a). Colonies comprise from one to four nests that are excavated among the roots of the perennial dune vegetation (Curtis, 1985b). Nests consist of a series of tunnels and chambers extending to a maximum depth of about 0,4 m, often lined with detritus. The simple nest construction, using the roots of grasses to provide structure, enables ants to exploit the unstable substrate of the sand dunes. New nests can be excavated with relative ease, either when old nests become too small or when environmental factors such as the encroachment of a dune or strong winds destroy the nest (Curtis, 1985b). Should one nest be destroyed suddenly, such polydomous colonies survive since workers can rapidly transport surviving brood and other colony members to other existing nests. C. detritus colonies generally only have one queen in one of the nests and brood is transported by the workers to other nests.

One factor contributing to the success of C. detritus appears to be its ability to reproduce all year round as a result of fairly high temperatures throughout the year, combined with a constant food supply. Brood is present throughout the year (Curtis, 1985a). Winged queens were present in the nests throughout most of the year with a maximum in December (summer) (Curtis, 1985a). Since only one nuptial flight was actually witnessed, it could not be established exactly what factors trigger the flight. Rainfall is presumably important, since that flight occurred after 3 mm of rain.





Castes
The workers are polymorphic with a continuous, non isometric size distribution from 7-16 mm. This polymorphism results in a certain amount of task specialization, but behavioural flexibility is retained. For example, although the majority of foraging is performed by minor workers, majors assist in retrieving food items too large for the minors (Curtis, 1985a).



Nomenclature

 *  detritus. Camponotus detritus Emery, 1886: 357 (w.) SOUTH AFRICA. Forel, 1910f: 26 (s.). Combination in C. (Myrmepomis): Forel, 1914a: 273; in C. (Myrmopiromis): Wheeler, W.M. 1922a: 986. Subspecies of fulvopilosus: Forel, 1910f: 26; Wheeler, W.M. 1922a: 986; Stitz, 1923: 166; Arnold, 1924: 739. Revived status as species: Forel, 1914a: 273; Emery, 1920b: 258; Emery, 1925b: 128; Robertson, 1990: 327. See also: Robertson & Zachariades, 1997: 5.