Camponotus (Tanaemyrmex) carensis Taylor new species

Type location Central African Republic.

MAJOR DESCRIPTION: Hind tibiae without any setae on the ventral margin; mandibles with longitudinal striations; front of head behind the clypeus with only short fine erect hairs; small eyes resemble negus; petiole scale smaller and lower than on related species; overall appearance glossy, legs and mandibles translucent, almost plastic; erect hairs on alitrunk and gaster orange-yellow; base colour near black, whole of legs, antennal funiculi and base of gaster bright orange-yellow. Essentially similar to Camponotus (Tanaemyrmex) aegyptiacus but much larger. The size and colouration leads me to associate the separately collected queen with the major worker.

TL ca 15 mm, HW 4.1, HL 4.2, CI 98, Head Depth 2.8, Ocular Index eye diameter/HW = 17; SL 3.0, SI 75

Specimens deposited in the Oxford University Museum of Natural History.

Essentially similar to Camponotus (Tanaemyrmex) solon but much larger (solon TL ca 13 mm, HL 3.8, HW 3.6, SL 2.6).

Note name preoccupied by Camponotus irritans subsp. carensis (Emery, 1920d) from India, Nicobar Is.

Oxford University Museum specimens

Camponotus (Tanaemyrmex) carensis n.sp. B Taylor det.	Central African Republic P Annoyer KP	23.x.2008 Dzanga-Sangha 03°01'49.5" N 16°08'31.7" E	567 m; Camp 2; Après-midi; Dans une clairière, 20 m au dessus du ruisseau	1
Camponotus (Tanaemyrmex) carensis n.sp. B Taylor det. Queen	Central African Republic P Annoyer JR	18.x.2008 Dzanga-Sangha 03°03'58.3" N 16°08'59.6" E	528 m; Camp 1; 18.x.2008 18h-3h; A la base de l'Ayous (Triplochiton scleroxylon, Sterculiaceae) à 50 m du Camp	1

The photomontage is of the major worker from Central African Republic, Dzanga-Sangha NP; collector Philippe Annoyer .

The photomontage is of the queen from Central African Republic, Dzanga-Sangha NP; collector Philippe Annoyer.