Camponotus ustus Forel and two similar new species from Puerto Rico (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Abstract

Although Camponotus ustus Forel, originally described from St. Thomas, now a part of the American Virgina Islands, has been long considered common in Puerto Rico, we found that such specimens are misidentified and actually represent two distinct species, both previously undescribed. These are described herein as C. kaura and C. taino. Based on the types and additional material from Mona Island, we have redescribed C. ustus. The following new synonymy is proposed: C. ustus = C. ulysses Forel = C. furnissi Wheeler and Mann = C. sublautus Wheeler and Mann = C. depolitus Wheeler = C. larvigerus Wheeler and Mann = C. larvigerus maculifrons Menozzi. One purported Colombian variety, arhuac Forel, is tentatively elevated to species. All three species are illustrated, and a key is provided, in English and Spanish, for the separation of the Camponotus of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

Citation

Snelling, R.R.; Torres, J.A. 1998. Camponotus ustus Forel and two similar new species from Puerto Rico (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Contributions in Science. 469:1-10.