Crematogaster (Orthocrema) molongori Weber - new status

Type location South Sudan (Crematogaster (Orthocrema) sordidula Nyl. molongori subsp. nov., Weber, 1943c: 357, worker) Imatong Mountains, 31.vii.1939, N A Weber
worker only described (see Bolton, 1995) .

Weber's (1943c) description is at .

The photomontage of a cotype is collated from http://mcz-28168.oeb.harvard.edu/mcz/FMPro?-DB=Image.fm&-Lay=web&-Format=images.htm&Species_ID=26143&-Find

I initially (2007) raised it to full species status primarily because of geographical isolation from Crematogaster (Orthocrema) sordidula, which is an otherwise only circum-Mediterranean species. Weber compared it with the "subspecies" natalensis, itself now a full species. Now (2009), from the Emery analysis (below), plus the photographs of the type and the fresh specimen from Congo, it is clear molongori differs in the propodeal spines being flatter in lateral view, the greater sculpturation on the head and alitrunk (smooth in sordidula) and the short, thick erect hairs, with few or none on the alitrunk.

Oxford University Museum specimens

Crematogaster (Orthocrema) molongori B Taylor det.

Congo E Zassi 09-t-2

6-7.ii.2008 Lésio-Louna 03°20'12.0" S 015°28'43.6" E

Village Mah; 24h pitfall trap

1

The photomontage is of a worker from Congo, Réserve de Lésio-Louna, Village Mah; collector Eric Zassi (n sp 60 & 65).