New synonyms of two Arabian ants of the genus Monomorium Mayr, 1855 (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)

Mostafa R. Sharaf; Cedric A. Collingwood; Hathal M. Al Dhafer; Mohammed S. Al mutairi; Abdulrahman S. Aldawood

doi:10.3897/zookeys.505.9441

Research Article

New synonyms of two Arabian ants of the genus Monomorium Mayr, 1855 (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)

Mostafa R. Sharaf^‡, Cedric A. Collingwood^§, Hathal M. Al Dhafer^‡, Mohammed S. Al mutairi^|, Abdulrahman S. Aldawood^‡

‡ King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

§ Unaffiliated, Skipton, United Kingdom

| Saudi Wildlife Authority, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Corresponding author: Mostafa R. Sharaf ( antsharaf@gmail.com )

Academic editor: Marek Borowiec

This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Citation: Sharaf MR, Collingwood CA, Al Dhafer HM, Al mutairi MS, Aldawood AS (2015) New synonyms of two Arabian ants of the genus Monomorium Mayr, 1855 (Hymenoptera, Formicidae). ZooKeys 505: 51-58. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.505.9441

ZooBank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:3E64E35D-C57F-4D5C-A66A-AF8DDA0C710A

Abstract

Synonymy of two Arabian Monomorium Mayr, 1855 species is proposed: M. exiguum Forel, 1894 = M. desertorum Collingwood & Agosti, 1996, syn. n.; M. subopacum Smith, 1858 = M. mintiribe Collingwood & Agosti, 1996, syn. n. A lectotype for M. venustum Smith, 1858 is designated. Information on nesting habits of M. exiguum and M. venustum in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are provided for the first time. Recently collected records for M. exiguum, M. subopacum, and M. venustum from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates are listed.

Keywords

Arabian Peninsula, Middle East, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, synonymy, taxonomy, new designation

Introduction

The first published work on the ant genus Monomorium Mayr, 1855 for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) was by Collingwood (1985), who listed and keyed 20 species from the country. The genus was subsequently treated comprehensively for the Arabian Peninsula by Collingwood and Agosti (1996). The authors reported 53 species, 32 of which were described as new, (including 15 from the KSA, 10 from Oman, five from Yemen, and two from Kuwait). Collingwood et al. (2011) treated the myrmecofauna of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and reported 29 Monomorium species. Three species were recorded from Socotra Island (Collingwood et al. 2004) and a new species, M. nimihil Collingwood, 2004 was described.

Recently the Monomorium fauna of KSA has received renewed attention, with the first record of M. exiguum Forel, 1894 (Aldawood and Sharaf 2009) and descriptions of three new species, M. moathi Sharaf & Collingwood, 2010 (Aldawood et al. 2010); M. dryhimi Aldawood & Sharaf, 2011 (Aldawood and Sharaf 2011) and M. sarawatensis Sharaf & Aldawood, 2013 (in El-Hawagry et al. 2013). During two visits to the World Museum, Liverpool, United Kingdom, two new synonyms were discovered for Arabian Monomorium.

Materials and methods

Abbreviations of museums

BMNH The Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom.

MHNG Museum d’Histoire Naturelle, Geneva, Switzerland.

NHMB Naturhistorisches Museum, Basel, Switzerland.

WMLC World Museum Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom.

The numbers between parentheses in material examined refer to individual workers.

Results and discussion

Monomorium exiguum Forel, 1894

Figs 1–4

For full synonymy see Heterick (2006), pp. 115–116.

Monomorium exiguum Forel, 1894: 85. (lectotype worker) Ethiopia. Afrotropic. “Ethiopia, Sudabessinien.” (MHNG), http://www.antweb.org/specimen/CASENT0101870 [Image of type specimen examined].

Monomorium desertorum Collingwood & Agosti, 1996: 344 (w.) Saudi Arabia. Afrotropic.” (WMLC), http://www.antweb.org/specimen/CASENT0906343. Syntype worker [examined], Syn. n.

Material examined

Saudi Arabia, Baha, Dhi Ayn Archeological Village, 18.v.2010, 20.132°, 41.004°, 741m, (M. R. Sharaf, leg.) (21); Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, Oyaina, 28.iv.2010; 25.011°, 46.493°, 749m, (M. R. Sharaf, leg.) (3); Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, Qarina Valley, 5.xi.2009, 25.273°, 46.289°, 761m, (M. R. Sharaf, leg.) (3); Saudi Arabia, Baha, Dhi Ayn Archeological Village, 20.ix.2011, 20.132°, 41.004°, 744m, (M. R. Sharaf, leg.) (10); Saudi Arabia, Almajardah, wadi Khat, 10.xi.2012, 19.001°, 41.016°, 513m, (M. R. Sharaf, leg.) (6); Saudi Arabia, wadi Shahdan (Jizan), 13.xi.2012, 17.472°, 42.856°, 200m, (M. R. Sharaf, leg.) (8); Saudi Arabia, Wadi Aljora near Abadan, 12.xi.2012, 17.005°, 43.001°, 465m, (M. R. Sharaf, leg.) (6); Saudi Arabia, Baha, Wadi Elzaraeb, 9.v.2011, 20.073°, 41.387°, 2086m, (M. R. Sharaf, leg.) (1); Saudi Arabia, Abu Arish, 10.iv.2012, 17.013°, 42.802°, 90m, (M. R. Sharaf, leg.) (6); Saudi Arabia, Dhi Ayn Archeological Village, 11.v.2011, 19.929°, 41.442°, 741m, (M. R. Sharaf, leg.) (3); Saudi Arabia, Baha, Dhi Ayn Archeological Village, 7.iv.2013, 19.929°, 41.442°, 744m, (M. R. Sharaf, leg.) (4); Saudi Arabia, AlUrdiyah gov., Wadi Gonouna, 12.v.2011, 19.429°, 41.605°, 353m, (M. R. Sharaf, leg.) (20); Saudi Arabia, Al Bahah, Wadi Turabah, AlMandaq, 14.v.2011, 20.211°, 41.288°, 1793m, (M. R. Sharaf, leg.) (7); Saudi Arabia, Dhi Ayn Archeological Village, 15.v.2011, 19.929°, 41.442°, 741m, (M. R. Sharaf, leg.) (1); Saudi Arabia, Al Bahah, Wadi Turabah, AlMandaq, 10.v.2011, 20.211°, 41.288°, 1793m, (M. R. Sharaf, leg.) (1); Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, Hawtet Bani Tamim, 20.i.2014, 23.480°, 46.844°, 597m, (M. R. Sharaf, leg.) (3); Saudi Arabia, Al Qatif, El Naft, 23.iii.2012, 26.510°, 49.969°, 30m, (M. R. Sharaf, leg.) (2); UAE, Khor al-Khwair, 25.57.56.03, 8.iii.2007, (M. Hauser et al.) (1); UAE, Sharjah, 25.21.55.24, 28.ii–12.iv.2011, (M. Hauser et al.) (1); UAE, Wadi Bih dam, 25.48.56.04, 16–31.xii.2009, (M. Hauser et al.) (1).

Figures 1–4.

Monomorium exiguum (worker), CASENT0101870. 1 Body in profile 2 Body in dorsal view 3 Head in full-face view 4 specimen label. Photo Zach Lieberman, http://antweb.org/

Remarks

Only a single paratype specimen with the same data as the holotype exists at WMLC. The holotype and other paratypes are considered lost.

The description of M. desertorum in Collingwood and Agosti’s (1996) indicated that the eyes are located anterior to the midlength of head, the scapes when retracted back do not reach the posterior margin of head, the antennae are 11 segmented, and the body is not sculptured except for the metanotal cross-ribs. Comparison was made of the single available paraype worker of M. desertorum with the lectotype worker of M. exiguum was carried out. We here treat M. desertorum as a junior subjective synonym of M. exiguum.

Habitat

The vast majority of M. exiguum nests that were collected in KSA were found to be associated with leaf litter and topsoil layers where workers foraged. Frequently nests were directly in the soil. The nesting habits of M. exiguum however, are diverse. In a site located in the southwestern mountains of the KSA, the species was found nesting in loose sandy soil with high moisture content and among roots of small Portulaca oleracea L. (Portulacaceae) plants beneath a date palm tree, Phoenix dactylifera L. (Arecaceae). Several worker series were nesting in a humid clay soil under banana trees. Other worker series were collected under a rock next to Juniperus procera Hochst. ex Endlicher (Cupressaceae) and Acacia spp. (Mimosaceae) trees. Another nest was found in thick layer of leaf litter under a large and old Ficus benghalensis L. (Moraceae) tree where the soil was rich in decayed organic matter. Some nests were found in leaf litter under Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.Aiton (Asclepiadaceae )and next to a mango tree (Mangifera sp., Anacardiaceae).

Monomorium subopacum (Smith, 1858)

Figs 5–8

For full synonymy, see Heterick (2006), p. 103.

Myrmica subopaca Smith, 1858: 127 (w.q.) (paralectotype worker, designated by B. E. Heterick, September, 2004) Portugal (Madeira Is.). Afrotropic. “Portugal (Madeira Island), coll. T.V. Wollaston. (BMNH), http://www.antweb.org/specimen/CASENT0010949 [Image of type specimen examined].

Monomorium mintiribe Collingwood & Agosti, 1996: 350, fig. 23 (w.q.m.) Oman. Palearctic. Bilad Ban. 17.i.1986, coll. W. Buttiker. (WMLC), Paratype worker [examined]. Syn. n.

Material examined

UAE, Ar-Rafah, 25.43.55.52, 1–8.iii.2011, (M. Hauser et al.) (1); UAE, Ar-Rafah, 25.43.55.52, 1.ii–31.iii.2010, (M. Hauser et al.) (1); UAE, Ar-Rafah, 25.18.56.07, 22.vi–2.vii.2010, (M. Hauser et al.) (1); UAE, Jebel Jibir, 25.39.56.07, 11–13.iv.2011, (M. Hauser et al.) (1).

Figures 5–8.

Monomorium subopacum (paralectotype worker), CASENT0010949. 5 Body in profile 6 Body in dorsal view 7 Head in full-face view 8 specimen label Photo April Nobile, http://antweb.org/

Remarks

The holotype and 10 paratypes of M. mintiribe seem to be lost. Extensive searches at both WMLC and NHMB failed to locate type material except for a single paratype specimen labeled in red at the WMLC. In addition, despite the fact that the label information for the paratype specimen in WMLC does not exactly match the information in Collingwood and Agosti (1996), we consider this specimen as part of the original type series. Collingwood and Agosti (1996) indicated the following paratypes: 1 male, 2 queens, 2 workers, “Oman, Bilad Bani, 20°03'N, 59°17'E, coll. W. Buttiker”, whereas the data on the paratype specimen in WMLC is “Bilad Ban, Oman, W. Buttiker, 17.i.1986.” The second author (C. A. Collingwood) confirms that the single remaining specimen is an originally designated paratype. The original description of M. mintiribe did not compare this taxon with related congeners. The single paratype is identical to the paralectotypes of M. subopacum and the original description agrees with this. Therefore, M. mintiribe is treated here as a junior subjective synonym of M. subopacum.

Monomorium venustum (Smith, 1858)

Figs 9–12

Myrmica venusta Smith, 1858: 126 (w.) (lectotype worker) Syria. Palaearctic. (BMNH “E” 1015257) [new designation].

Material examined

Saudi Arabia, Al Atawla (Baha-Taif RD), Wadi Bawah, 8.xi.2012, 21.004°, 41.247°, 1310m, (M. R. Sharaf, leg.) (10); Saudi Arabia, Baha, Wadi Elzaraeb, 9.v.2011, 20.073°, 41.387°, 2086m, (M. R. Sharaf, leg.) (3); Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, Dirad, 30.xii.2009, 24.409°, 46.662°, 588m, (M. R. Sharaf, leg.) (6); Saudi Arabia, Al Bahah, Wadi Turabah, AlMandaq, 19.ix.2011, 20.242°, 41.262°, 1751m, (M. R. Sharaf, leg.) (6); Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, Alhota, 19.iv.2008, (M. R. Sharaf, leg.) (7); Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, Wadi Hanifa, 11.iv.2013, 24.671°, 46.595°, 641 (M. R. Sharaf, leg.) (14); Saudi Arabia, Al Bahah, Wadi Turabah, AlMandaq, 10.v.2011, 20.211°, 41.288°, 1751m, (M. R. Sharaf, leg.) (4).

Figures 9–12.

Monomorium venustum (Lectotype worker), CASENT0902221. 9 Body in profile 10 Body in dorsal view 11 Head in full-face view 12 specimen label. Photo Will Ericson, http://antweb.org/

Remarks

Originally, M. venustum was described based on syntypes of the worker caste from Syria. Here we designate a lectotype with the following data, “M. venusta Smith, type, BMNH (E), 1015257”. The Lectotype is deposited at BMNH.

Habitat

Workers of M. venustum build nests directly into the ground under stones and rocks, directly into the ground. This species apparently prefers to nest in soil with high moisture content as observed in many locations in KSA. In the southwestern mountains of the KSA, nests were constructed next to Juniperus procera Hochst. ex Endlicher (Cupressaceae) and Acacia spp. (Mimosaceae) trees. In addition, the species is usually foraging in areas with dense green flowering grasses that covering the ground. A single nest was found existing next to Mentha longifolia (L.) Huds. (Lamiaceae). Myrmecophilous arthropods (e.g. small beetles, isopods and millipedes) were found inside some nests.

Acknowledgment

The project was funded by the National Plan for Science, Technology and Innovation (MAARIFAH), King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, award number 12-ENV2484-02. We are grateful to Prince Bandar Bin Saud Al Saud, the Head of the Saudi National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development for the generous support during the study. The authors are much grateful to the subject editor Marek Borowiec for his careful editing, Dr. Brian Fisher, Michele Esposito, Zach Lieberman, Estella Ortega, April Nobile, Ryan Perry and Will Ericson (California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, USA) for photographing the type specimens of ants and making them accessible to researchers. We are indebted to Dr. Boris Kondratieff (Colorado State University) for the valuable suggestions and careful editing. Special thanks to Dr. Stephen Judd (Director, WML), Mr. Tony Hunter (Curator, Entomology, WML), and Isabelle Zürcher-Pfander (Collection manager, NHMB) for facilitating the study of the Arabian type materials. Mostafa Sharaf is particularly most grateful to the following: Suzanne Ryder (BMNH, London) for appreciated help to study type materials, Andrew Polaszek for his kindness and hospitality during the visit to the BMNH and finally to Wolfgang Schawaller and his wife Edith Schawaller for generous hospitality in Stuttgart.

References

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