Crematogaster (Crematogaster) adedoyini Taylor new species

Type location Nigeria

WORKER DESCRIPTION: Alitrunk in profile slightly convex, mesonotum with a vertical rear face descending into a slightly impressed metanotal groove; propodeal spines near halfway down declivity, stout, acute and triangular; no subpetiolar spine; lateral alitrunk reticulo-striate, markings faint on the pronotum, dorsal face of petiole with distinct spiculation; pilosity sparse and erect hairs few, pronotum with a single pair of hairs on the humeral angles; colour black, shiny.

TL 3.36-3.5 mm, HL 0.78-0.8, HW 0.78-0.85, SL 0.50-0.57, PW 0.45-0.52, CI 106, SI 68.

In Nigeria it was collected rarely, foraging on cocoa and on shade trees (Taylor, 1979: 25).

Although this is a limited description, the species is so readily distinguished, specially by its black colour and shiny appearance, that I am confident to identify it as a new species.  Named in recognition of the Technical Officer who played such an important role in our study, Samson Adedoyin.

Specimens deposited with the Natural History Museum, London.

Oxford University Museum specimens

Crematogaster adedoyini B Taylor det.

Benin J-F Vayssieres RVA 2662

26.iv.2012 Glo, F.E.A. 06°55'05'' N 02°32'06'' E

Mangifera indica orchard antagonist of Oecophylla longinoda nesting in hollow branches

3

The photomontage is of a worker from Benin, Glo, J-F Vayssieres (RVA 2662)

The photomontage is of a second worker from Benin, Glo, J-F Vayssieres (RVA 2662)