Crematogaster (Crematogaster) brunneipennis André

Type location Sierra Leone (Cremastogaster brunneipennis nov. sp., André, 1890: 323, worker & queen; Santschi, 1933b: 101, male) collector Mocquerys - see below
junior synonyms (here)
omniparens (Cremastogater brunneipennis André r. omniparens n. stirps, Forel, 1914d: 237, worker; Arnold, 1920a: 499, illustrated) from South Africa, Durban, R C Cooper - see bottom
yorubosa (Crematogaster (Ac.) bruneipennis And. v. yorubosa n. var., Santschi, 1933b: 102, worker) from Nigeria, Nabo, 1910, J H Simpson - see below
all forms described (see Bolton, 1995) .

André's (1890) description is at . Santschi's (1933b) description of the male and of yorubosa (apparently collected with the male) is at .

Wheeler (1922: 152) wrote of specimens collected in Zaïre and noted - Crematogaster brunneipennis (Ern. André) subspecies acaciae (Forel) variety victoriosa (Santschi). Numerous workers from Zambi (Bequaert), "nesting in a tree trunk." The typical (C. acaciae) was originally taken by Keller in Somaliland in the swollen spines of acacias. Concerning one of the other varieties (generosa, Santschi), Santschi wrote to me: "I received from Mr. G. Arnold of the Rhodesian Museum under the name of C. brunneipennis Ern. André variety omniparens Forel some workers which differ only in their deeper color from what I have called acaciae variety generosa. The female of the latter form is very close to that of brunneipennis Ern. André, but the wings are even darker. I believe that brunneipennis should be regarded as a subspecies of C. acaciae". That Santschi is correct in regarding both forms as cospecific is proved by a comparison of two cotype workers of brunneipennis from Sierra Leone (Mocquerys), sent me by André many years ago, with a cotype of acaciae received from Forel. Andre's workers are smaller, with longer antennal scapes, smoother and more polished thorax, with somewhat more circular and less cordate petiole, smaller and more slender and more pointed propodeal spines, and darker gaster and head, but the resemblances are so close in other respects that I cannot regard the differences as more than subspecific. As brunneipennis has priority of publication, acaciae must be reduced in rank and not brunneipennis, as Santschi supposes. Whether omniparens is to be retained as a distinct subspecies or is to be attached as a variety to acaciae, I am unable to determine.

As the type location of Crematogaster acaciae is Ethiopia and Bolton (1995) notes a finding listed by Collingwood (1985) as from Saudi Arabia, the descriptive notes by Wheeler (1922) suggest that, as usual with Crematogaster "species", the situation remains unclear, with gloriosa perhaps as a suspect attribution. It appears that, just as Wheeler was writing, Emery (1922e) revived acaciae as a species (with subspecies generosa, from South Africa, gloriosa from Zaïre, and victoriosa from Zimbabwe).

The Ghana and Gabon workers I now have (below) match the type description and Wheeler's comments on Andre's workers.  Thus, I have separated the information on omniparensto the bottom of the page as the simple fact of geographical separation suggests this may well comprise two separate species.  The availability of type images now (May 2016) show no apparent difference between omniparens and the type form plus yorubosa and the fresh specimens.

Fresh specimens of what I diagnose as acaciae can be seen on that species page and are seen to be quite different in overall form.

The photomontage of a syntype worker (somewhat faded compared with the original description) is collated from http://www.antweb.org/specimen.do?name=casent0902089.

The photomontage of the type worker of yorubosa is collated from http://www.antweb.org/specimen.do?name=casent0912646.

Oxford University Museum specimens

Crematogaster (Crematogaster) bruneipennis B Taylor det.	Senegal Lamine Diamé 39	21.vi.2012 Doyene-KS 14°46'N 17°07'W	Sébikotane V44 pitfall 7 tube 09	2
Crematogaster (Crematogaster) bruneipennis B Taylor det.	Ghana S Sky Stephens 05G0009	2005	.	1
Crematogaster (Crematogaster) bruneipennis B Taylor det.	Ghana S Sky Stephens 05G0010	2005	.	1
Crematogaster (Crematogaster) bruneipennis B Taylor det.	Benin J-F Vayssieres RVA 3096.4	9.xi.2011 Kika-Beterou 09°14'07'' N 02°11'52'' E	Isoberlinia doka beating	2
Crematogaster (Crematogaster) bruneipennis B Taylor det.	Gabon Y Braet Gabon 07	17.v-09.vi.2006 Pongara 00°34' N 09°19' E	Under trees; malaise trap	1
Crematogaster (Crematogaster) bruneipennis B Taylor det.	Gabon Y Braet Gabon 121	7-8.viii.2006 Pongara 00°34' N 09°19' E	Sesame & forest; sweep netting	1

The photomontage is of a worker from Ghana, collected by S Sky Stephens, 2006 (05G0010).

The photomontage is of a worker from Gabon; Pongara National Park, Pointe Wingombé; collector Yves Braet (Gabon 07).

The photomontage is of a worker from Gabon; Pongara National Park, Pointe Wingombé; collector Yves Braet (Gabon 121).

The photomontage is of a minor worker from Benin, Kika-Beterou; collector J-F Vayssieres (RVA 3096).

Forel's (1914d) decription of omniparensis at Arnold (1920a) gave a translation of omniparens, this is at .

The photomontage of omniparens is collated from http://mcz-28168.oeb.harvard.edu/mcz/FMPro?-DB=Image.fm&-Lay=web&-Format=images.htm&Species_ID=29114&-Find.

See also http://www.antweb.org/specimenImages.do?code=casent0902090