The Ants of Africa

	The Ants of Africa Camponotus maculatus (Fabricius) type form variation in majors
Camponotus maculatus introduction

Note that the specimens shown in the folders linked below show quite high consistency in the major workers but the minor workers vary quite a lot in their colour and surface texture, most noticeably on the alitrunk. The type form major appears to have distinctive smooth deep red mandibles but note the Sudan and CAR majors have black mandibles; the generally darker gaster and somewhat thinner petiole profile seems indicative of melanocnemis.

{Camponotus maculatus major Cameroun 99} I have transcribed Donisthorpe's description or rather re-description of the type specimen on the linked page - Camponotus maculatus and the Cameroun specimens are a perfect match in all aspects.

The photomontage is of a major collected in Cameroun, Kribi; McKey Wolbachia project (Cameroon 99), see on OUMNH list..

{Camponotus maculatus major Benin} From Benin, Forêt de Gnanhouizoumè; collector Sévérin Tchibozo (Benin 14); see on OUMNH list.

{Camponotus maculatus major Ghana} From Ghana, a major, collector S Sky Stephens (06G0014) with very reduced pale areas on the gaster; see on OUMNH list.

{Camponotus maculatus major Mali} From Mali, Bamako; collected by David M King (Mali 39); see on OUMNH list.

{Camponotus maculatus major CAR Bayanga} From the Central African Republic, Bayanga, 20.i.2005, avoiding sun; collector Philippe Annoyer, a major with an almost wholly dark gaster and near black head; see on OUMNH list.

{Camponotus maculatus major Sudan} From Sudan, Khashm El Girba, East Sudan; collector Awatif Omer, 2009; another major with an almost wholly dark gaster and near black head; the minor has the head and alitrunk almost wholly pale orange-brown apart from the scapes, anterior clypeus and mandibles which are dark brown; see on OUMNH list

Camponotus maculatus main text

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