Some Aberrant Species of Camponotus (Colobopsis) from the Fiji Islands

Abstract

In a recent paper[1][1] on some Fijian Formicidae, Dr. F. Santschi describes and figures a remarkable ant as Camponotus bryani and makes it the type of a new subgenus, Condylomyrma. Concerning its affinities he remarks that “it seems to be near the subgenus Karavaievia Emery but differs mainly in its petiole and perhaps in dimorphism, if this should be established eventually. In the latter case, Camponotus dentatus Mayr should be added to Condylomyrma .” The very striking appearance of the insect is clearly shown in Santschi's figure, which is here reproduced (Fig. 1). I find that the large amount of material collected by Dr. W. M. Mann on his expedition to the Fiji Islands in 1915–'16 and in part most generously deposited in my collection and in that of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, makes it possible to give a more satisfactory interpretation of the affinities of C. bryani than that advanced by Santschi. The key to these affinities proves to be C. (Colobopsis) dentatus . My discussion is therefore best introduced by a brief account of this species. [1]: #fn-1