The Ants of Africa
Genus Crematogaster
Crematogaster (Sphaerocrema) bequaerti Forel

Crematogaster (Sphaerocrema) bequaerti Forel

return to key Type location Zaïre (Cremastogaster Bequaerti, n. sp., Forel, 1913b: 319, worker & queen; Santschi, 1914d has an illustration) collected at Sankisia, by J. Bequaert - see below
junior synonyms (here)
ludia (Cremastogaster Bequaerti Forel r. ludia n. stirps, Forel, 1913b: 321, worker) from Zaïre, collected at Lake Kabwe, by J. Bequaert - see  http://www.antweb.org/specimenImages.do?name=casent0908605
modica (Crematogaster (Sphaerocrema) modica n. sp., Santschi, 1926b: 222, illustrated, worker; as Crematogaster (Sphaerocrema)  bequaerti For. v. modica by Santschi, 1937g: 77( from Uganda - see possible non-type images at http://www.antweb.org/specimenImages.do?code=casent0912796
mutabilis (Cremastogaster Bequaerti For. var. mutabilis nov., Santschi, 1914b: 93, illustrated, worker) from Kenya, Lumbwa - see below
(see Bolton, 1995) .

I have separated Crematogaster (Sph.) gerardi to full species with junior synonyms semiclara and saga.

I have transferred atraplex (Crematogaster (Sphaerocrema) bequaerti For. variety atraplex Santschi new variety, in Wheeler, 1922: 155, worker) from Zaïre, Yakuluku, by Lang & Chapin - to a junior synonym of Crematogaster (Sph.) kneri.


{Crematogaster (Sphaerocrema) bequaerti}Forel's (1913b) description, with ludia is at {original description}. Santschi's (1914b) illustrated description of mutabilis is at {original description}. Santschi's (1926b) description of modica is at {original description}. Santschi's (1937a) description of saga, with a key to the varieties, is at {original description}.


{Crematogaster (Sphaerocrema) pedicels}Santschi's (1915c) description of gerardi was - WORKER - TL 5 mm; darker red brown than type, including the scapes most of the femora and tibiae; gaster black; appendages otherwise rust. More strongly sculptured, with mesonotal carina more pronounced; propodeal spines shorter, less divergent and more slender. Petiole node slightly shorter. Specimens from Katanga, Kataki, by Dr Gérard. He added the variety mutabilis Santschi conversely is lighter than the type and the variety ludia is smaller with longer scapes.


Wheeler (1922) has the description (by Santschi) of variety atraplex as - Worker TL 4 mm; rather dull yellow; gaster, postpetiole and femora yellowish brown, tips of propodeal spines brownish black, contrasting with thorax; in other respects like the type and var. mutabilis but median impression of pronotum feebler.

From the modern specimens, it seems probable that the species could be divided with a smaller, lighter at least on the head and alitrunk, and shinier form from more northern areas, from Kenya west to Guinea. I have separated these under Crematogaster bequaerti query


{Crematogaster bequaerti}The photomontage of the type worker is collated from http://www.antweb.org/specimen.do?name=casent0908604.


{Crematogaster bequaerti}The photomontage of a cotype ? major worker is collated from http://www.antweb.org/specimen.do?name=casent0904477.


{Crematogaster bequaerti mutabilis}The photomontage of the mutabilis type worker is collated from http://www.antweb.org/specimen.do?name=casent0912797.


Oxford University Museum specimens

Crematogaster (Sphaerocrema) bequaerti
B Taylor det.
Chad
Yves Braet

1-20.iii.2012
Zakouma N.P.
10°53′36″ N
 19°49′19″ E
421 m


1
{album}
Crematogaster (Sphaerocrema) bequaerti mutabilis
B Taylor det.
Cameroun
A Fotso Kuate
Crematogaster sp12
23.x.2007
Matomb
03°54'30" N
11°25'58" E
Visual in forest
1
{album}

{Crematogaster bequaerti}The photomontage is of a major worker from Chad, Zakouma NP; collector Yves Braet.


{Crematogaster bequaerti}The photomontage is of a worker from Cameroun, Matomb; collector A Fotso Kuate (fk crematogaster sp 12).

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© 2007, 2008, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016 - Brian Taylor CBiol FRSB FRES
11, Grazingfield, Wilford, Nottingham, NG11 7FN, U.K.

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