Crematogaster (Sphaerocrema) libengensis Stitz

Type location Zaïre (Cremastogaster libengensis n. sp., Stitz, 1916: 389, illustrated, worker) collected at Libenge, 25.x.1910, Schubotz - no images on Antweb (August 2016)
subspecies rufula from Zaïre (Crematogaster (Sphaerocrema) libengensis Stitz v. rufula n. var., Santschi, 1926b: 227, worker) collected at Stanley Falls, by H. Kohl - see bottom
Worker only described (see Bolton 1995) .

Stitz's (1926b) description is at . Santschi's (1926b) description of rufula is at .

From Guinea, Bernard (1952) listed findings of the type form from Mt. Nimba - 2 workers in the leaf litter sampling of north-east forest (Villiers) and several, workers from station T 136, Nion forest (Lamotte). Specimens of rufula were collected at station B6, N'Zo. Others probably of this species were 2 workers and 1 alated queen from Yalanzou. He also noted this species, previously purely Congolese, had been collected from Banco forest, Ivory Coast by Villiers (in 1945).

I show the type of rufula below. The colour appears far removed from that of Stitz's description, of mainly dark brown with the gaster black. Thus, rufula may be a distinct species.

The photomontage of the type worker of rufula is collated from http://www.antweb.org/specimen.do?name=casent0912807

Oxford University Museum specimens

Crematogaster (Sphaerocrema) libengensis B Taylor det.

Central African Republic P Moretto xii.2012

Sangha PN Ndoki 02˚28'39" N 22˚01'20" E

07-06 Lac 1, forêt à Gilbertiodendron, piège malaise

3

The photomontage is of a worker from Central African Repiublic, Sangha NP, Ndoki; collector P Moretto. Appears to be very close to the type form and, apart from the colour, to rufula.

Oxford University Museum specimens - for correction

Crematogaster (Sphaerocrema) libengensis B Taylor det. kohli fickendeyi match	Gabon Y Braet Gabon 103	24.vii.2006 Pongara 00°34' N 09°19' E	On or under tree bark, Okoumé	1
Crematogaster (Sphaerocrema) libengensis B Taylor det. kohli fickendeyi match	Gabon Y Braet Gabon 219	27.vi-10.vii.2006 Pongara 00°34' N 09°19' E	pkd collection from Combretum molle	1
Crematogaster (Sphaerocrema) libengensis B Taylor det. probably striatula	Central African Republic P Annoyer EY-02	07.ii.2005 Dzanga-Sangha 02°50’01.8" N 16°08’13.7" E	Camp 3; Fauchage, 14h, dans petite saline à proximité du camp; 375m asl	1

The photomontage is of a worker from Gabon, Pongara National Park; collector Yves Braet (Gabon 219). Apart from the apparently shorter propodeal spines this is a good match for Stitz's description.

The photomontage is of a rather dusty smaller worker, also from Gabon, Pongara National Park; collector Yves Braet (Gabon 103).

The photomontage is of a worker from Central African Repiublic, Dzanga-Sangha NP; collector Philippe Annoyer (CAR EY).