10 replies to this topic

[AntHUB]

Hello formiculture,

 

This is a formal message in the form of a question. Would you guys like me to describe Camponotus us-ca02? I am working on publishing scientific literature and think that describing a species would be a great way to accumulate experience. But I don't have any specimens to describe the species. So I'd need your help with that. I was thinking of naming the species either Camponotus californicus, as that's where it's found. Camponotus lucernae (lucerna is latin for candle) because it looks like a torch or candle. Or camponotus crepitus (crepitus meaning clash, explosion or bang) as the contrasting bright orange clashes with the rest of the queen, alternatively the workers have a similar color pallet to an explosion. Of all of these Ideas I prefer the latter of the three, but please provide me with information or imput on your opinion. Alternatively if you have specimens or would like to send me some info about their behavoir email me 

jk@uglyorangetruck.com

 

I reached out to brian fisher and found out that this species has not yet been reclassified or properly described. So I wish to describe it.

 

From what I've gathered so far with images the species is:

In the genus Camponotus (obviously)

Likely In the subgenus tanaemyrmex

likely a member of the picipes-fumidus group

I'm still studying taxonomy but these are my best guesses without any specimens. So again if anyone wants to help me describe the species either by describing behavoir or sending me specimens Please Email Me At My Email jk@uglyorangetruck.com. I will pay for shipping and materials involved to ship specimens.

[NickAnter]

If/when I find any, I will send a specimen to you.

[gcsnelling]

This is not at all a practical project without doing a complete revision of the subgenus.To do this right even without doing a complete overview,this would mean examining hundreds of specimens across the group to obtain the comparative data you would need for this to work. Needless to say a single specimen would be of little value.

Edited by gcsnelling, February 3 2020 - 4:19 PM.

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

What he could do is ask the antkeepers of formiculture who have dead workers to send them in, or send Macro photos to better observe. But I would take this with a grain of salt as it would be INCREDIBLY difficult

[rbarreto]

Worst case scenario you get some good experience. I'm all for it goodluck!

[AntHUB]

This is not at all a practical project without doing a complete revision of the subgenus.To do this right even without doing a complete overview,this would mean examining hundreds of specimens across the group to obtain the comparative data you would need for this to work. Needless to say a single specimen would be of little value.

Would It be possible just to do a revision of the species group it's in? or no?

[gcsnelling]

Possible yes, but unless you have plenty of experience  not an easy prospect. Camponotus in general is a nightmare genus which needs an incredible amount of work and is not for the inexperienced or faint of heart.To do it right you are talking years of work which should include field work.

[gcsnelling]

In addition you will need access to museum material/specimen loans which you will not get which out some sort of professional or educational affiliation.

[Zeiss]

I was also trying to name the species, haha. 

 

I work at the UCR entomology museum and am able to get assistance from the curators there as well as have the ability to form contacts with myrmecologists throughout California.  I have many specimens available and am relatively close to wild colonies.

[AntHUB]

Well then you should describe it lol. I live in colorado so its less convienient for me. Plus I also don't really want to specialise in camponotus. But I will be working on surveying the species in colorado instead probably.

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

I was also trying to name the species, haha. 

 

I work at the UCR entomology museum and am able to get assistance from the curators there as well as have the ability to form contacts with myrmecologists throughout California.  I have many specimens available and am relatively close to wild colonies.

wow, that's a amazing job. If someone ever finds a new species on this forum can I get a yes to naming it something related to formiculture (i.e. Camponotous Formiculturus)?