Species: Camponotus chloroticus

Taxonomic History (provided by Barry Bolton, 2013)

Biology:

In Fiji: Camponotus chloroticus is a Melanesian member of the C. maculatus group. The C. maculatus group includes a wide diversity of poorly studied forms from the Old World that have been variously referred to as species, subspecies, varieties and races (McArthur & Leys, 2006). It is uncertain which species Mann (1921) refers to, as he listed his original Fiji material as belonging to an unnamed variety of C. maculatus subsp. pallidus F. Smith. Although Mann described the specimens as being, "exceedingly close to, if not identical with var. samoaensis Santschi," he did not formally list them under that name. Wilson and Taylor (1967: 93) placed Santschi's material (samoaensis is an unavailable name because of its infrasubspecific status) under C. chloroticus Emery. Suffice it to say, whatever the true identity of this species, it is widespread across the Pacific and is in need of significant revision. Without a thorough review of the maculatus group across the Pacific, it is difficult to say whether pallidus, chloroticus or another of the myriad available names most appropriately applies to Fijian material.

There is some variation of this species across the archipelago with respect to size and color, but none of the specimens examined match the descriptions of its presumably close Pacific relatives, the darker headed C. navigator Wilson & Taylor or C. variegatus Fr. Smith with its more banded gaster. The species was collected most frequently in the smaller islands and the coastal sections of the larger islands. Colonies were found nesting in dead branches, in live mangroves, and under tree bark.

Taxon Page Author History

Specimen Data Summary

Found most commonly in these habitats: 52 times found in secondary forest, 16 times found in mangrove forest, 10 times found in Pandanus & Casaurina forest, 8 times found in dry forest, 30pm Males & alate females in various cavities/nooks; overcast, about to rain times found in Camponotus nest in coconut palm in Park - ~5, 1 times found in Davis-sifting birds-nest ferns + incidental collections; Solitary queen camponotus chloroticus alone in 1st birdsnest fern (same one as I got the small, dark pheidole from) C. chloroticus nest +males, 1 times found in human settlement, 1 times found in nr. giant cycad - incidental collections, big yellow camponotus (cf. chloroticus?) from nest nr top of cycad, pheidole from nest under rock, 4 times found in disturbed forest, 1 times found in Davis-sifting for about 1 hr, 5-6pm, fairly healthy forest; big phicus, birdsnest ferns, Neisosperma, not so many Anoplolepis as on the S. side, but still a lot. some nest in birdsnest fern roots, ...

Collected most commonly using these methods or in the following microhabitats: 14 times davis-sifting; incidental aspirated, 6 times aspirated, 3 times hand collection, 3 times aspirating, 4 times aspirating; PB & maple syrup bait, 3 times aspirating; PB bait, 1 times davis-sifting; incidental aspirated; PB bait, 2 times hand-collected, 1 times asprirated, 1 times at night at light

Elevations: collected from 1 - 800 meters, 99 meters average

10 Specimens Imaged | View All 197 Specimens for this species

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