Camponotus churchetti

The type material was collected from a pitfall trap.

Identification
McArthur (2008) - This species is a member of the C. maculatus group (McArthur 2007a) because minor workers possess an occipital carina and the sides of the head are feebly tapering to the rear. Its closest relative is Camponotus tricoloratus. In minor workers of C. tricoloratus the length of the node is greater than its height and the anterior margin of the clypeus is wide and straight whereas in this species the length of the node is less than its height and the margin of the clypeus is convex.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Nomenclature

 *  churchetti. Camponotus churchetti McArthur, 2008: 116, figs. (w.) AUSTRALIA.

Worker
Measurements: HL = 0.83HW + 0.73 (R2 = 0.99, n = 11); PW = 0.50HW + 0.40 (R2 = 0.96, n = 11); CW = 0.30HW - 0.02 (R2 = 0.95, n = 11).

Major. Mesosoma: pronotum strongly convex anteriorly otherwise mostly flat, mesonotum slightly convex, propodeum dorsum feebly convex, angle rounded about 135°, declivity mostly straight; ratio propodeal dorsum / declivity about 1; mesosoma with < 6 long erect setae and a few very short indistinct curved setae; side of mesonotum and propodeum finely reticulate, glossy. Appendages: tibiae with indistinct short setae raised to < 5° and with 2 rows of about 5 spines on the inside surface; scapes with indistinct short flat-lying setae. Node: anterior and posterior surfaces mostly flat, summit near sharp. Head: underside in lateral view with a few long erect setae; sides in front view nearly straight tapering slightly to the front; vertex straight; frontal carinae < HW/3; maximum head width occurs at eye centres; clypeus finely punctate, anterior margin projecting, bounded by 70° corners with a shallow concavity between. Colour: yellow, head brownish.

Minor. Mesosoma: Pronotum feebly convex, mesonotum slightly convex in front otherwise straight; metanotum in distinct; propodeum dorsum mostly straight; angle rounded, about 150°; declivity mostly straight; mesosoma with < 6 long erect setae and a few short curved setae; side of mesonotum and propodeum finely reticulate. Node: anterior and posterior surfaces mostly flat meeting at the summit at about 45°. Appendages: tibiae with indistinct short flat-lying setae and with 2 rows of about 5 spines on the inside surface; scapes with indistinct short flat-lying setae. Head: underside in lateral view with a few long erect setae; sides in front view straight nearly parallel; vertex straight with an occipital carina; frontal carinae very narrow < HW/3; maximum head width occurs near mandibles; eyes large and bulging; clypeus anterior margin projecting, convex. Colour: yellowish.

Type Material
Holotype: One minor worker pinned in “ S. Aust. Taylorville Stn Middle Dam 1.5 km SW 33°54’37”S 140°12’20”E 6-11 October 2001 pitfall TV04 Royal Geographical Society, Bookmark Survey”. Paratype: One minor worker with same data pinned in.

Etymology
Named after Graham Churchett, a naturalist and collector for SAMA.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * McArthur A. 2010. A guide to Camponotus ants of South Australia. Adelaide: South Australian Museum, IV + 121 pp.
 * McArthur A. J. 2008. New species of Camponotus (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Australia. Annalen des Naturhistorischen Museums in Wien. B, Botanik, Zoologie 109: 111-129.