You are here
Formicidae
Crematogaster Lund, 1831
EOL Text
It is unclear whether the variation in face sculpture from smooth and shining to completely striate represents intraspecific or interspecific variation. It may be that selection gradients cause parallel changes in face sculpture among multiple sympatric lineages, such that the above forms may be synonyms of crinosa and torosa . For example, I have examined five collections from Colombia that have completely striate faces. Other than the striate face, one collection has the characters of crinosa , three have the characters of torosa , and one has the characters of rochai . Alternatively, further research may reveal that the forms with completely striate faces are found in sympatry with shiny faced forms, or show discontinuous character variation, such that they are best interpreted as distinct species. If so, it must then be determined whether these forms are distinct from each other or should be interpreted as one widespread species.
| License | |
| Rights holder/Author | No known copyright restrictions |
| Source | http://antbase.org/ants/publications/20256/20256.pdf |
Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 0
Specimens with Barcodes: 2
Species With Barcodes: 1
Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 0
Specimens with Barcodes: 5
Species With Barcodes: 1
Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 4
Specimens with Barcodes: 7
Species With Barcodes: 1
Genus Crematogaster HNS Lund, 1831
Crematogaster HNS Lund, 1831: Annls. Sci. Nat. 23:132.
Type-species: Formica scutellaris Olivier HNS , 1791: Encyl. Meth. Hist. Nat. Insec. 6:497.
Distribution: Palaearctic, Ethiopian, Oriental, Australian, Nearctic & Neotropical regions.
| License | Public Domain |
| Rights holder/Author | No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation. |
| Source | http://treatment.plazi.org/id/F660809B2D8500ECD37AFDA3B1FBC125 |
1 Face appearing somewhat bare, with dilute appressed pubescence, and usually six or fewer erect setae (Fig. 4); if more (up to 20), workers strongly polymorphic and propodeal spiracle very large (Fig. 7A, stollii ); antennal scapes, when laid back, fail to reach posterior margin or only slightly surpass posterior margin; petiole in dorsal view only slightly longer than wide to distinctly wider than long (PTWI> 83), sides convex or straight and parallel, never long and gradually converging anteriorly ...... 2
- Face with abundant erect to suberect pilosity; in some cases setae may be somewhat thickened, relatively short, and curved, but still with a relatively uniform vestiture of standing pilosity (Fig. 4); no underlying short appressed pubescence; scape length variable; petiole in dorsal view variable, subquadrate to elongate, with sides straight and subparallel to converging anteriorly, never with strongly convex sides ............. 9
2 Postpetiole distinctly bilobed, much broader than long in dorsal view (PPI> 150), with broad median longitudinal sulcus; head somewhat elongate (CI 100-103); scapes when laid back just reach or slightly surpass posterior margin of head; face completely devoid of erect setae ....................................................................... distans
- Postpetiole subcircular or subquadrate, not broadly bilobed (PPI <150), median sulcus absent or weakly impressed; head of larger workers distinctly wider than long (CI> 107); scapes variable; face usually with at least one pair of erect setae ........... 3
3 Propodeal spiracle very large (Fig. 7A); face with up to 20 erect setae.. .......... stollii
- Propodeal spiracle smaller (Fig. 7B); face usually with 6 or fewer erect setae ........ 4
4 Pilosity on fourth abdominal tergite composed of abundant filiform flexuous setae, a combination of long erect setae and abundant, long, suberect pubescence ....... crucis
- Pilosity on fourth abdominal tergite a combination of completely appressed pubescence, and, when present, a variable number of erect setae; erect setae short, weakly to strongly flattened and stiff ..................................................................................... 5
5 Promesonotum with at least humeral setae long and filiform; dorsal face of propodeum short, not distinctly differentiated from posterior face ..................................... 6
- Promesonotum with dorsal setae short and stiff; dorsal face of propodeum differentiated or not ................................................................................................................... 7
6 Promesonotum with 7-10 medium length flexuous setae .. ............................ moelleri
- Only humeral setae long and filiform, other dorsal setae shorter and stiff ....... erecta
7 All except the largest workers (HW> 1mm) without differentiated dorsal and posterior faces of propodeum (Fig. 7C); fourth abdominal tergite completely lacking erect setae; anteroventral petiolar tooth well developed, acute and projecting ......... rochai
- All workers, even small ones, usually with short, differentiated dorsal face of propodeum(Fig. 7D); fourth abdominal tergite always with at least a few erect setae; anteroventral petiolar tooth variable .......................................................................... 8
8 Anteroventral petiolar tooth relatively well-developed and sharp (Fig. 7E); fourth abdominal tergite with abundant setae that are uniformly distributed ............ crinosa
- Anteroventral petiolar tooth relatively less well-developed, forming a right or only weakly acute angle rather than a projecting tooth (Fig. 7F); fourth abdominal tergite with moderately abundant setae that are more dense anterolaterally, often leaving a median strip relatively clear of setae .................................................................. torosa
9 Petiole in dorsal view elongate and regularly tapering anteriorly; PTWI <73; postpetiolar node tall, globular, usually about as wide as long, rarely wider (PPI 85-124), with no median sulcus; face with abundant long or medium length erect setae, face setae never short and stubble-like; color brown to black, never yellow or distinctly bicolored; face smooth and shiny, not punctate or striate ( limata complex) ........... 10
- Petiole in dorsal view relatively shorter, usually subquadrate to rectangular, not tapering anteriorly (if somewhat tapering anteriorly, color yellow or distinctly bicolored, or face with sparse erect setae and abundant shorter curved setae); PTWI> 67; postpetiole variable in dorsal view; face setae, color, and face sculpture variable.... 17
10 Propodeal spines very long, directed upward and outward, SPI usually> 34, if in the range 29-33 (small specimens of nigropilosa ) then hind tibia with appressed pilosity .................................................................................................................................. 11
- Propodeal spines shorter (SPI <32), if in the range 29-33 (large specimens of limata ) then hind tibiae with erect pilosity; propodeal spines usually directed posteriorly .................................................................................................................................. 12
11 Hind tibia with abundant erect setae; setae on face light yellow ............... longispina
- Hind tibia with appressed pilosity; setae on face dark amber .. ................. nigropilosa
12 Setae on mesosomal dorsum dark amber; mesosoma highly polished, with sculpture confined to lateral carinae of mesonotum; carinae on dorsal and posterior faces of mesonotum meet at strongly angular to tuberculate juncture; tibiae with a combination of appressed short pilosity and scattered long erect setae ................. sotobosque
- Setae on mesosomal dorsum light amber to whitish; mesosoma less highly polished, with varying degrees of carinulae and rugulae on pronotum and katepisternum; carinae on dorsal and posterior face of mesonotum may meet at angle, but not produced as a tubercle; tibial pilosity variable, but usually comprised of abundant long erect setae .................................................................................................................................. 13
13 Hind tibia with abundant medium-length subdecumbent setae, no long erect setae; petiole with angular anteroventral tooth; postpetiole with no ventral tooth ................ ..................................................................................................................... foliocrypta
- Hind tibia with abundant long erect setae; ventral margins of petiole and postpetiole variable .... 14
14 Postpetiole with acute anteroventral tooth .............................................................. 15
- Postpetiole lacking anteroventral tooth ................................................................... 16
15 Petiole relatively triangular in lateral view (PTHI>60), usually lacking anteroventral tooth; posterodorsal tubercles distinctly higher than posterodorsal margin of tergite (Fig. 7G) ....................................................................................................... tenuicula
- Petiole relatively elongate (PTHI <60 in Central America, variable and often higher in South America), with angular to acute anteroventral tooth; posterodorsal border of petiole low, posterodorsal tubercles little higher than posterodorsal margin of tergite (Fig. 7H) ......................................................................................... brasiliensis
16 Petiole with angular anteroventral tooth; propodeal spines short (SPI <21) .... carinata
- Petiole usually lacking anteroventral tooth; propodeal spines long (SPI> 25) .... limata
17 Face largely punctate or otherwise heavily sculptured, with smooth and shiny portion restricted to a median strip ................................................................................ 18
- Face largely smooth and shining, with at most small areas of punctation between eye and antennal insertion ............................................................................................. 22
18 Tibiae with abundant erect setae; size relatively large (WL> 0.70) ....................... 19
- Tibial pilosity fully appressed, not erect; size relatively smaller (WL <0.73) ........ 21
19 Dorsal setae on mesosoma and fourth abdominal tergite dark amber; propodeum somewhat inflated; propodeal spines very thin and needle-like (Fig. 7I,J) ..... arcuata
- Dorsal setae whitish; propodeum less inflated; propodeal spines more broadly tapering to base (Fig. 7K,L,M,N) ..................................................................................... 20
20 Propodeal spines relatively thinner and less diverging, more posteriorly directed in dorsal view (Fig. 7K,L); dorsal and posterior faces of propodeum not well differentiated, more or less in same plane; anteroventral margin of petiole with a low, rounded tumosity but lacking distinct angle or tooth; anteroventral margin of postpetiole with bluntly rounded projection, lacking sharp tooth ............................................. evallans
- Propodeal spines stout and diverging (Fig. 7M,N); dorsal and posterior faces of propodeum differentiated, not in same plane; anteroventral margin of petiole developed as distinct right to acute angle; anteroventral margin of postpetiole with sharp, acute tooth .... ............................................................................................................. acuta
21 Propodeum somewhat inflated, with propodeal spines reduced to small denticles; anteroventral petiolar tooth lacking .......................................................... montezumia
- Propodeum not inflated; propodeal spines well-developed; anteroventral petiolar tooth well-developed .................................................................................... obscurata
22 Color uniformly yellow or orange.. ......................................................................... 23
- Color amber to dark brown or black, or bicolored with dark head and gaster, lighter mesosoma .... .......................................................................................................... 28
23 Mid and hind tibiae with one or more very long erect setae, much longer than maximum tibia width ....................................................................................................... 24
- Mid and hind tibiae with appressed to suberect setae, none longer than maximum width of tibia ........................................................................................................... 25
24 Propodeal spines upturned; erect setae on pronotal humeri and posterolateral mesonotum very long, subequal in length, longer than setae on anterolateral mesonotum (Fig. 7O) ............................................................................... sumichrasti
- Propodeal spines directed posteriorly; erect setae on pronotal humeri and anterolateral mesonotum the longest, longer than setae on posterolateral mesonotum (Fig. 7P) ................................................................................................................ flavosensitiva
25 Eyes very small (OI <23); erect setae on face and mesosomal dorsum relatively short, somewhat stiffened, forming a stubble; propodeal spines short, upturned ........ ................................................................................................................. flavomicrops
- Eyes larger (OI> 24), erect setae on face and mesosoma longer and thinner; propodeal spines variable .............................................................................................. 26
26 Pair of setae on posterolateral mesonotum subequal in length to humeral setae; propodeal spines relatively long, upturned .............................................. monteverdensis
- Propodeal spines of variable length, upturned or directed posteriorly; humeral setae much longer than any setae on mesonotum ............................................................. 27
27 Propodeal spines short (SPI 15-18); mesosoma relatively compact in lateral profile (Fig. 7Q) ................................................................................................... minutissima
- Propodeal spines long (SPI 18-21); mesosoma more elongate in lateral profile (Fig. 7R) ............................................................................................................................. wardi
28 Tibiae with setae fully appressed ............................................................................. 29
- Tibiae with abundant erect setae .............................................................................. 31
29 Postpetiole much wider than long (PPI> 138); setae on face short, flattened, curved or slanted toward median axis; anteroventral margin of petiole lacking angle or tooth; ventral margin of postpetiole with rounded lobe, without acute tooth .............. ....................................................................................................................... abstinens
- Postpetiole more globular (PPI <132); setae on face of variable length and stiffness, but not strongly curved or slanting toward median axis; anteroventral margin of petiole with subacute tooth or at least blunt lobe; ventral margin of postpetiole with obtuse to acute tooth ................................................................................................ 30
30 Propodeal spines regularly tapering from base to tip (Fig. 7S) .................. bryophilia
- Propodeal spines in dorsal view with bases thickened, directed outward, tips short, abruptly narrowed and directed posteriorly (Fig. 7T) .............................. curvispinosa
31 Propodeal spines forming angular tumosities, not spiniform, or with at most a minute spiniform denticle .................................................................................. raptor
- Propodeal spines distinctly spiniform ...................................................................... 32
32 Ventral margin of postpetiole with acute to right angled tooth; propodeal spines relatively long and upturned (SPI 19-23); postpetiole gradually constricted toward helcium; mesosoma often light brown, contrasting with dark brown head and gaster ..... ........................................................................................................................ snellingi
- Ventral margin of postpetiole flat, completely lacking tooth; propodeal spines relatively short and posteriorly directed (SPI 13-18); postpetiolar node abruptly constricted, with clearly defined juncture with cylindrical stem of helcium; head, mesosoma, and gaster uniformly dark brown.. ............................................. jardinero
| License | |
| Rights holder/Author | No known copyright restrictions |
| Source | http://antbase.org/ants/publications/20256/20256.pdf |
Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 0
Specimens with Barcodes: 2
Species With Barcodes: 1
Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 0
Specimens with Barcodes: 1
Species With Barcodes: 1
Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 0
Specimens with Barcodes: 1
Species With Barcodes: 1
Crematogaster HNS Lund
Crematogaster HNS is one of the largest and most sharply defined genera in the family Formicidae. The species are all small, with monomorphic worker, decidedly larger female, and the male usually as small as the worker. The worker and female have 10- or 11-jointed antennae, those of the male are usually 12-jointed. All the phases can be readily recognized by the peculiar structure and articulation of the petiole and postpetiole. The former does not bear a node but is more or less flattened above, the latter is short and articulated to the anterodorsal surface of the gaster, instead of to its anterior end as in other ants. The gaster, moreover, is in the worker and male subtriangular or subcordate, with pointed tip, and its upper surface is concave or more or less flattened, its ventral surface more convex and protuberant. These peculiarities in the structure of the abdomen enable the workers of many species to turn the gaster forward over the thorax and head, so that they are sometimes called "acrobat ants." As a rule, the sting is feebly developed. The anterior wings of the male and female have a discoidal and a single closed cubital cell.
The species of Crematogaster HNS all form populous colonies which nest in the ground, under stones, in logs, the cavities of living plants, or in peculiar carton nests attached to the branches or trunks of trees. This habit of making carton nests is best seen in the tropical species, but traces of it survive even in the species inhabiting temperate regions, such as the North American C. lineolata (Say) HNS . Many of the species have rank and disagreeable odors.
The genus is cosmopolitan (Map 22), though the species scarcely enter the colder portions of the north and south temperate zones. Our common C. lineolata (Say) HNS of North America occurs, however, as far north as Nova Scotia. The vast majority of species are confined to the tropics, being particularly numerous in the Neotropical and Ethiopian Regions. The African forms are so numerous and so variable that they constitute a veritable welter of subspecies and varieties. Mayr, Forel, Arnold, and Santschi have all dispaired of reducing this chaos to order. Unfortunately the portion of Arnold's work dealing with the South African species has been postponed by the war. He has, however, kindly written me concerning certain necessaly changes in the synonymy of several of the species and I have adopted his interpretations in the list of Ethiopian species (Part VIII). Dr. Santschi, who has given more attention to the African species of Crematogaster HNS than any previous author, has generously examined and identified a series of all the Congo forms collected by Lang, Chapin, and Bequaert and has written the descriptions of several new forms. In the meantime he has published a revision of the subgenera of Crematogaster HNS .1 Forel was the first to begin the splitting of the genus, but Santschi has added several new subgenera. A translation of his table has been included in the key to the genera and subgenera of Myrmicinae. Santschi has arranged these various subgenera according to their natural affinities in the following sequence:
Map 22. Distribution of the genus Crematogaster HNS .
1. Decacrema HNS
2. Orthocrema HNS
3. Eucrema HNS
4. Neocrema HNS
5. Sphaerocrema HNS
6. Crematogaster HNS , sensu stricto
7. Atopogyne HNS
8. Paracrema HNS
9. Xiphocrema HNS
10. Physocrema HNS
11. Oxygyne HNS
12. Nematocrema HNS
Of these, at least seven, Decacrema HNS , Orthocrema HNS , Sphaerocrema HNS , Crematogaster HNS , Atopogyne HNS , Oxygyne HNS , and Nematocrema HNS occur in the Ethiopian Region. In the Congo material before me only Sphaerocrema HNS , Crematogaster HNS , Atopogyne HNS , and Nematocrema HNS are represented.
| License | Public Domain |
| Rights holder/Author | No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation. |
| Source | http://treatment.plazi.org/id/8ABD70A829763E340B690564EAF12D23 |