A morphological and molecular revision of the Camponotus nigriceps group (Hymenoptera : Formicidae) from Australia

Abstract

The nigriceps group of the formicine genus Camponotus is revised using both morphological and allozyme techniques. Nine species from southern Australia are recognised. Four new species are described: C. dryandrae, C. eastwoodi, C. loweryi and C. longideclivis. Two subspecies are raised to specific status: Camponotus nigriceps clarior and C. nigriceps pallidiceps. Two new synonyms have been determined: C. consobrinus = C. nigriceps obniger and C. nigriceps = C. nigriceps perthiana. A key for separating species in the group and known distributions is presented.