Crematogaster razana
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Ordo: Hymenoptera
Familia: Formicidae
Genus: Crematogaster
Name
Crematogaster razana Blaimer, 2012 sp. n. – Wikispecies link – ZooBank link – Pensoft Profile
Type locality
MADAGASCAR: Toliara: R.S. Kalambatritra: -23.4185, 46.4583, 1365m, grassland, under stone; 8.ii.2009; B.L.Fisher et al..
Type specimen
holotype worker:pinned, CASENT0149655, BLF21485; original locality label: MADG’R: Toliara: R.S. Kalambatritra: 23.4185°S, 46.4583°E, 1365m; grassland, 8.ii.2009; B.L.Fisher et al. BLF#; deposited at CASC.
Other material examined
(CASC). MADAGASCAR: Toliara: R.S. Kalambatritra: -23.45373, 46.45773, 1345m; -23.4185, 46.4583, 1365m (B.L.Fisher et al.); P.N. Andohahela: -24.9300, 46.6455, 300m (B.L.Fisher et al.).
Worker measurements
(n=3). Holotype: HW 0.54; HL 0.50; EL 0.13; SL 0.37; WL 0.53; SPL 0.07; PTH 0.12; PTL 0.18; PTW 0.15; PPL 0.12; PPW 0.16; LHT 0.38; CI 1.08; OI 0.26; SI 0.74; SPI 0.14; PTHI 0.68; PTWI 0.86; PPI 1.31; LBI 1.40.
Other material
HW 0.49–0.56; HL 0.45–0.52; EL 0.12–0.14; SL 0.35–0.40; WL 0.45–0.54; SPL 0.05–0.07; PTH 0.10–0.12; PTL 0.15–0.19; PTW 0.14–0.16; PPL 0.08–0.11; PPW 0.14–0.17; LHT 0.34–0.40; CI 1.07; OI 0.26–0.27; SI 0.76–0.77; SPI 0.11–0.13; PTHI 0.64–0.67; PTWI 0.86–0.92; PPI 1.46–1.70; LBI 1.32–1.37.
Diagnosis
A combination of protruding eyes and raised sharp lateral carinae on the propodeum (Figure 13) separates workers of Crematogaster razana from workers of Crematogaster rasoherinae and the Crematogaster volamena-group. From other species within the Crematogaster madecassa-group it can be identified by the lack of median vertical carinae on the clypeus (Figure 17) and the absence of long setae on the posterior end of the lateral mesonotal carinae. Crematogaster razana queens are diagnosed by a combination of the presence of very short propodeal spines, large protruding eyes (OI 0.31), and the presence of a median clypeal notch (Figure 20).
Worker description
(Figures 30A–C). Very small species (HW 0.49–0.56, WL 0.45–0.54), with characters of the Crematogaster madecassa-group, in addition to the following. Clypeus lacking median vertical carinae; antennal scapes just reaching posterior margin of head.
Metanotal groove constricted to about half the width of pronotum; propodeal spines short (SPI 0.11–0.14), in form of acute triangular points, distinctly directed upwards in lateral view, in dorsal view moderately diverging; subpostpetiolar process absent.
Face with no more than 4 erect, long flexuous setae; promesonotum with 4 erect, long flexuous setae: 2 humeral setae, and 2 setae at anterior end of mesonotal carinae (posterior setae absent). Color yellow to yellowish-brown.
Queen measurements
(n=1). HW 1.10, HL 0.91, EL 0.28, SL 0.65, MSNW 0.94, MSNL 0.98, WL 1.74, SPL 0.04, PTH 0.30, PTL 0.45, PTW 0.41, PPL 0.28, PPW 0.46, LHT 0.83, CI 1.21, OI 0.31, SI 0.71, MSNI 1.77, SPI 0.02, PTHI 0.66, PTWI 0.92, PPI 1.65, LBI 2.09.
Queen description
(Figures 30E–G). Very small (HW 1.10, WL 1.74), with characters of the Crematogaster madecassa-group, in addition to the following. Clypeus with a median notch; antennal scapes just reaching posterior margin of head.
Mesosoma more compact (MSNI 1.77, WL 1.74); mesoscutum in dorsal view about as wide as long; propodeal spines reduced to minute dents (SPI 0.02).
Petiole with one pair of long flexuous setae posterior to denticles.
Male and intermediate
(if existing) unknown.
Distribution and biology
Crematogaster razana has only been collected at two localities in southern Madagascar (Figure 30B). One of these sites is a dry forest (western slopes of P.N. Andohahela), whereas the other collections were made in a montane grassland habitat (R.S. Kalambatritra). Since the few collections of this rare species have been made mostly on the ground (under stone, pitfall trap or on low vegetation), I assume that Crematogaster razana is ground-nesting. This species is sympatric with Crematogaster rasoherinae and parapatric or narrowly sympatric with both Crematogaster madecassa and Crematogaster telolafy in the Andohahela massif.
Etymology
TheMalagasy word “razana” means ancestor and alludes to the isolated distribution of this species and its phylogenetic position within the Crematogaster madecassa-group. This name should be treated as a noun in apposition.
Original Description
- Blaimer, B; 2012: Taxonomy and species-groups of the subgenus Crematogaster ( Orthocrema) in the Malagasy region (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) ZooKeys, 199: 23-70. doi
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