Camponotus anezkae

In a series of studied forest plots in New Guinea (Klimes & McArthur, 2014) this species was found only one. The colony occupied twigs of a hollow liana along the main trunk of a canopy tree Melanolepis multiglandulosa RCHB.F. & ZOLL. (Euphorbiaceae) at height 10 - 13 m above ground in the secondary forest. Several nest chambers with brood and several hundred workers were noted in the main trunk as well as in branches of the liana, probably forming a single colony.

Identification
Klimes & McArthur (2014) - The combination of evenly convex mesosoma, presence of deep metanotal groove and rounded propodeal angle in major and minor workers distinguishes this species from all other Camponotus species with phragmosis. Camponotus from New Guinea resembles C. anezkae in convex shape of pronotum and mesonotum, mesosoma reticulation, pubescence and lighter front of the head. However, Camponotus flavocassis differs significantly in slightly humped propodeum meeting propodeal declivity at an abrupt right angle, and much smaller distance among frontal carinae approaching only one third of head width.

Head colouring of Camponotus anezkae varies greatly within a nest in both major workers and queens from yellow to black, probably depending on the age and sclerotisation of individuals.

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

Worker
minor

Nomenclature

 *  anezkae. Camponotus anezkae Klimes & McArthur, 2014: 145, figs. 4-5 (w.q.m.) NEW GUINEA.

Worker
Major Structures: in side view, front of head convex, only a change in radius separates the clypeus from its posterior. Mesosoma fairly evenly convex, with distinct metanotum resembling a trough. Propodeal angle well rounded and about 120°, declivity nearly concave, ratio dorsum / declivity about 0.8. Node front convex, back mostly straight, summit blunt. Fore femora about 1.5 times thicker than others. Integument glossy, very finely reticulate especially laterally on mesosoma and coxae. Head in front view: sides weakly convex and tapering to the front, vertex weakly convex; most of clypeus, anterior head and closed mandibles form a circular flattish surface, coarsely punctate. Anterior margin of clypeus projecting a little, notched in centre. Mandibles with four teeth. Frontal carinae distance approximately half of head width.

Pilosity: erect setae very sparse, none on gula, a few decumbent on scapes and tibiae, adpressed setae sparse all over.

Colour: mostly black, coxae and sutures of gaster whitish-yellow, head light brown except vertex which is darker.

Minor Structures: in side view, anterior front of head and clypeus convex, separated by a depression. Mesosoma convex with metanotum resembling a trough, propodeal angle rounded, declivity nearly concave, ratio dorsum / declivity about one. Node tall, its front convex, back mostly straight, summit blunt. Fore femora about 1.5 times thicker than others. Integument similar to major workers but without punctures on head. Head in front view: sides straight, tapering to front, vertex convex; anterior margin of clypeus convex and projects strongly, without a carina. Mandibles with four teeth. Frontal carinae distance approximately half of head width.

Pilosity: similar to major worker.

Colour: mostly black, mandibles, clypeus and scapes brown. Coxae and sutures of gaster whitish-yellow.

Queen
CI = 90, EL = 0.47, FCD = 0.70, HL = 1.54, HW = 1.38, ML = 2.67, PW = 1.24, SI = 84, SL = 1.16.

Structures: head form similar to major worker. Pronotum strongly convex, propodeum more rounded than in workers, propodeal declivity nearly straight, node as in major worker. Fore femora only slightly wider than others.

Pilosity: as in major worker.

Colour: as major worker but front of head whitish-yellow.

Male
CI = 97, EL = 0.33, FCD = 0.24, HL = 0.67, HW = 0.65, ML = 1.5, PW = 1.02, SI = 112, SL = 0.73.

Structures: in side view, pronotum dorsum nearly semicircular, node front and back near parallel, summit convex. In front view, head sides tapering to the front, vertex strongly convex; eyes very large protruding, their length of nearly half head length. Node small, summit blunt. Fore femora only slightly wider than others. Pilosity: extremely sparse, no setae on tibiae and scapes.

Colour: mostly grey black, with light brown tarsi.

Type Material
Holotype (minor worker, ): “Papua New Guinea: Madang Province, Wanang (05° 14' S, 145° 11' E), 25.X.2007, HP0616, leg. P. Klimes”. Paratypes: from the same nest series, labelled as above: 2 minor workers, 2 major workers, 1 queen ; 1 minor worker and 1 major worker, ; one individual of each caste.

Etymology
Named after the patron saint of Czechs, St. Agnes (Anezka) and dedicated to the beloved daughter of PK.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Klimes P., and A. McArthur. 2014. Diversity and ecology of arboricolous ant communities of Camponotus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in a New Guinea rainforest with descriptions of four new species. Myrmecological News 20: 141-158.