Camponotus royi

This species, known from a single collection and two specimens, was found in lowland primary rainforest where the workers were foraging on vegetation (Shattuck & Janda 2009).

Identification
Shattuck & Janda (2009) - minor Enlarged hairs on pronotum present, cream-colored and covering majority of dorsal surface; pubescence on dorsum of head abundant and closely spaced; erect hairs on dorsum of head between eyes and frontal carinae black.

The head shape is similar to Camponotus cyrtomyrmodes and Camponotus subpilus in being widest above the eyes and weakly convex between the eyes and mandibular insertions (in full face view), but differs in having the eyes located much more posteriorly on the head capsule. It also differs in having denser pubescence and more abundant enlarged erect hairs on the head and mesosoma compared to either of these species. This species, and other members of the Camponotus aureopilus group, are best placed within the subgenus Myrmophyma, noting that this placement is based on overall morphological similarity and a more rigorous study of the subgeneric and species-group classification within the genus is long overdue.

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

Nomenclature

 *  royi. Camponotus royi Shattuck & Janda, 2009: 251, figs. 1-3 (w.) NEW GUINEA.

Worker
Minor (holotype followed by paratype): CI 80, 81; HL 2.10, 2.07 mm; HW 1.67, 1.67 mm; ML 3.44, 3.43 mm; MTL 2.62, 2.67 mm; SI 199, 198; SL 3.32, 3.31 mm.

(minor worker). Posterolateral margin of head angular, dorsal surface weakly convex, lateral surface weakly concave, with a ridge running from eye to posterolateral corner. Petiolar node low, block-like, its dorsal surface broadly convex. Individual erect hairs abundant on dorsum of head, mesosoma and gaster, those on anterior of head black and some on pronotum white with black tips; enlarged cream-colored hairs present on dorsal surface of pronotum; pubescence thick and abundant across majority of body. Color black.

Type Material
Holotype worker and 1 worker paratype from Kaiangabip Village, Upper Fly River, 40 km SE Tabubil, 5° 32' 47" S, 141°30' 14" E, 150 - 250 m a.s.l., Western Province, Papua New Guinea, March 2008, leg. Milan Janda, lowland primary rainforest, foragers on vegetation (Australian National Insect Collection, Accession Number ANIC32-044358).

Etymology
We dedicate this species to Roy Snelling, who recently passed on while on a collecting trip to western Kenya, one of his favorite stomping grounds. Roy had been more than generous over many years, always there with a kind (or harsh, as appropriate) word and a willingness to share his extensive knowledge, experience and material.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Janda M., G. D. Alpert, M. L. Borowiec, E. P. Economo, P. Klimes, E. Sarnat, and S. O. Shattuck. 2011. Cheklist of ants described and recorded from New Guinea and associated islands. Available on http://www.newguineants.org/. Accessed on 24th Feb. 2011.
 * Shattuck S. O., M. Janda. 2009. A new species of the Camponotus aureopilus Viehmeyer, 1914 species group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Papua New Guinea. Myrmecological News 12: 251-253.
 * Shattuck S. O., and M. Janda. 2009. A new species of the Camponotus aureopilus Viehmeyer, 1914 species group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Papua New Guinea. Myrmecological News 12: 251-253.