Systematics, distribution, and ecology of an endemic California Camponotus quercicola (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

The endemic California carpenter ant Camponotus quercicola Smith is a little known component of oak woodland habitats containing Quercus wislizenii de Candolle and Q. agrifolia Nee. Close investigation of one site, Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve, showed that C. quercicola was a dominant, arboreal ant species, foraging primarily at night. The 1st description of the sexual castes of C. quercicola is provided, together with a guide to distinguish all castes of C. quercicola from similar, sympatric Camponotus species. We compiled a distribution map based on our own collections and museum specimens. To test the phylogenetic position of C. quercicola within the North American Camponotus sensu stricto group, we sequenced 385 bp of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome oxidase I from 9 Camponotus species. C. quercicola did not form a clade with the North American C. herculeanus species group to which it was previously assigned. Preliminary results of microsatellite analysis suggested a polygynous colony structure in this species.