Subterranean species of the ant genus Crematogaster in Asia (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Abstract

Three Crematogaster ant species, C. (Orthocrema) javanica Menozzi, C. (O.) myops Forel and C. (O.)masukoi sp. nov., share reduced compound eyes which characterizes them among Asian species of the subgenus Orthocrema. The new species is described based on material from Borneo. It can be distinguished from C. javanica and C. myops by its smooth surface of clypeus and acutely produced subpetiolar process. Reduced compound eyes and yellowish body suggest that these three species are subterranean.

Systematics and biogeography of the ant genusCrematogasterLund subgenusOrthocremaSantschi in Asia (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

“…myops have reduced compound eyes (approximately 6–10 ommatidia) and depigmented yellowish bodies. The two species are similar in that they have reduced eyes, but they are quite different from each other in other morphological aspects (Hosoishi et al ., ). Our cladistic analysis showed that C .…”

“…Hosoishi et al . () revised the subterranean species from the Asian Orthocrema fauna. Crematogaster masukoi and C .…”

“…The worker caste of the subgenus Orthocrema was diagnosed by Blaimer () on a global scale. For the purpose of taxonomic convenience, we present the following characteristics for Asian fauna: Mandibles with four teeth on the masticatory margin; the teeth located at equal distance each other in most species, but basal tooth located apart from other teeth in subterranean species (Hosoishi et al ., ). Palp formula 5, 3 (Bolton, ). Anterolateral margins of clypeus not protruded anteriorly (Hosoishi & Ogata, ). Clypeus usually striated with longitudinal rugulae; the length of rugulae variable in different species. Antenna 11‐segmented. Antennal club 2‐segmented. Apical two flagellar segments clearly distinguished in coloration from other flagellar segments especially in the C .…”

“…Apical two flagellar segments clearly distinguished in coloration from other flagellar segments especially in the C . baduvi group. Sensilla basiconica and sensilla trichodea curvata distributed in the apical two flagellar segments (Hosoishi & Ogata, ). Compound eye generally distinct and large, but strongly reduced in subterranean species (Hosoishi et al ., ). Ocelli rarely present in intermediate workers. Occipital carina distinct. Mesonotal ridges developed dorsolaterally, but weakly developed in C . masukoi and C .…”

Taxonomic Revision of the Obligate Plant-Ants of the Genus Crematogaster Lund (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Myrmicinae), Associated with Macaranga Thouars (Euphorbiaceae) on Borneo and the Malay Peninsula

“…However, recently regional taxonomic revisions of the genus or subgenera have been conducted (Buren, 1959;Buren, 1968;Longino, 2003;Hosoishi & Ogata, 2009;Blaimer, 2010;Blaimer, 2012b;Blaimer, 2012c;Blaimer, 2012d;Hosoishi & Ogata, 2012;Blaimer & Fisher, 2013;Hosoishi 2015). While the genus itself is morphologically clearly defined by the dorsal attachment of the postpetiole to the first gaster segment (Bolton, 1994;Blaimer, 2012b), the formerly used subgenera were based on vague characters only.…”