Myrmicinae, Formicidae, Hymenoptera, Insecta, Arthropoda, Animalia
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Additional images: queen, face view (small, large); lateral view (small, large).
Range
Brazil (Cear‡).
Identification
The combination of (1) shiny face, (2) subquadrate dorsal face of petiole, (3) appressed tibial pilosity, (4) very wide postpetiole, and (5) abundant short stiff setae on face that curve toward the median axis uniquely characterize this species and C. abstinens. This species differs from abstinens in completely smooth and shining promesonotum and the very short propodeal spines. Crematogaster obscurata has a punctate face.
Similar species: abstinens, obscurata.
Natural History
Professor Yves Quinet (Laboratorio de Ciencias Biologicas, Universidade Estadual do Ceara, Brazil) has been studying this species in Fortaleza, Ceara State, Brazil. He observes that C. JTL-031 nests in the soil and forms large unicolonial colonies. Workers from 20km apart show no signs of aggression when placed in contact. Where they occur they are dominant ants, forming a network of foraging trails across the ground, the network connecting a large number of separate nests in the soil. The large colonies are highly polygynous, and individual nests contain multiple queens.
Comments
I initially considered this species to be within the range of variation of abstinens. However, Professor Quinet has provided specimens and evidence that it is distinct from and sympatric with typical abstinens in Fortaleza, Cear‡. Elsewhere in the range of abstinens there is character variation that partially bridges the gap. The closest to this new form are specimens from Colombia, which have reduced sculpture on the promesonotum, like this form, but longer spines, like other material of abstinens.
Judging from published descriptions and some of my notes from type examinations in 1990, none of the current junior synonyms of abstinens match this form. It is almost certainly an undescribed species.
John T. Longino, The Evergreen State College, Olympia WA 98505 USA. longinoj@evergreen.edu
Date of this version: 26 July 2005.
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