Corresponding author: Mostafa R. Sharaf (
Academic editor: M. Borowiec
The genus
Sharaf MR, Aldawood AS, Hita Garcia F (2019) Review of the Arabian
The myrmicine ant genus
Despite the remarkable diversity, ecological importance, and often high local abundance of the genus, it is one of the most taxonomically neglected hyper-diverse ant genera. Presently, the taxonomic situation is only moderate to satisfactory for a few regions, such as North America (
There are numerous, scattered, records of
The taxonomy of Arabian
We present a synoptic list, species accounts for all species that include detailed taxonomic histories, as well as data and maps showing the currently known distribution ranges. In addition, we also present a new identification key to the Arabian species of
Species names in this work follow the online catalogue of
The terminology used to describe surface sculpture is based on (
Throughout the text, ‘
The abbreviations of natural history collections follow
=
1 | Postpetiole not bilobed dorsally (Figs |
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– | Postpetiole bilobed dorsally (Fig. |
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2 | Propodeal spines completely absent (Fig. |
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– | Propodeal spines present, ranging from small denticles to long spines (Fig. |
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3 | Unicolorous yellow-brown to brown species; cephalic surface including area in front of eyes unsculptured; eyes with ca. 14 ommatidia in longest row; posterior half of clypeus with fine appressed pubescence; mesonotum in profile with a small tubercle close to promesonotal suture (Fig. |
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– | Bicolored species, head black-brown or black, mesosoma, petiole and postpetiole dark brown, relatively lighter than head, gaster golden yellow; area in front of eyes finely longitudinally striated; cephalic surface feebly imbricate; eyes with ca. 11 ommatidia in longest row; posterior half of clypeus without hairs or pubescence; mesonotum in profile without tubercle (Fig. |
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4 | Propodeal spines reduced to a small denticle (Fig. |
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– | Propodeal spines well developed |
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5 | In full-face view, antennal scapes short, clearly not reaching posterior margin of head (Fig. |
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– | In full-face view, antennal scapes longer, clearly reaching or surpassing posterior margin of head (Fig. |
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6 | Propodeal spines short and blunt (Fig. |
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– | Propodeal spines long and acute, distinctly longer than their bases in profile (Fig. |
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7 | Body distinctly opaque; cephalic surface completely densely longitudinally rugulose (Fig. |
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– | Body shining; only area in front of eyes faintly longitudinally rugolose; head, mesosoma, petiole and postpetiole uniform yellow or brown |
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8 | Body uniform yellow; head, in full-face view, with feebly-defined frontal triangle and without longitudinal carina; postpetiole in dorsal view broader posteriorly than anteriorly; propodeum dorsum seen from above longitudinally striated (Fig. |
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– | Head, petiole, postpetiole and gaster dark brown, mesosoma light brown; head, in full-face view, with well-defined frontal triangle and posterior longitudinal carina reaching posterior margin of eyes; propodeum dorsum seen from above transversally striated; postpetiole in dorsal view as broad as anteriorly and posteriorly (Fig. |
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9 | Antennal scapes when laid back from their insertions just reach posterior margin of head in full-face view |
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– | Antennal scapes when laid back from their insertions clearly surpassing posterior margin of head in full-face view |
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10 | Unicolorous brown species; clypeus smooth; anterior half of head in full-face view longitudinally striated, ground surface between striae smooth (Fig. |
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– | Bicolored species, head, mesosoma, petiole, postpetiole and appendages brown or red-brown, gaster golden yellow; clypeus longitudinally striated; anterior half of head in full-face view finely longitudinally striated, grown surface between striae and posterior half of head finely densely punctate (Fig. |
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11 | Mesonotum in profile without a small tubercle close to promesonotal suture |
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– | Mesonotum in profile with a small tubercle close to promesonotal suture |
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12 | Whole cephalic surface finely, densely longitudinally striated and dull; head in full-face view with antennal scapes surpassing posterior margin of head byapproximate length of the three funicular segments together (Fig. |
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– | Anterior half of cephalic surface superficially striated, posterior half smooth and shining; head in full-face view with antennal scapes surpassing posterior margin of head by ca. thickness of the first funicular segment (Fig. |
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13 | Cephalic surface and clypeus completely finely densely longitudinally striated (Fig. |
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– | Anterior half of cephalic surface or at least area in front of eyes and clypeus longitudinally striated |
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14 | Promesonotum with at least four pairs of suberect hairs; petiole in dorsal view with pointed anterior corners; first gastral tergite with several pairs of hairs (ca. 7 pairs) (Fig. |
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– | Promesonotum with a single pair of hairs or without hairs; petiole in dorsal view with rounded anterior corners; hairs on first gastral tergites rare, restricted to few pairs on posterior margin of the tergite |
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15 | Petiole in dorsal view with concave anterior margin (Fig. |
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– | Petiole in dorsal view with a straight anterior margin (Fig. |
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16 | Postpetiole approx. twice broader than long in dorsal view (Fig. |
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– | Postpetiole little broader than long in dorsal view (Fig. |
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Combination in
Subspecies of
Status as species:
Current subspecies:
This species represents a typical problematic taxon within the genus. The known distribution of
Distribution map of
Combination in
Current subspecies:
This species was originally described from Egypt and can be found in most most countries of North Africa but also in Sudan and Kenya (
As for
Combination in
Subspecies of
Status as species:
Subspecies of
Originally described from Algeria,
This is a very widespread and common species, which appears to be one of the most arid-adapted species within the genus. Our collections represent a new record for Qatar.
Distribution map of
Combination in
Subspecies of
Status as species:
Current subspecies:
Senior synonym of
Junior synonym of
This species was initially described from France and seems to have a broad distribution range from the south of France, the Iberian Peninsula, and the Canary Islands through all of North Africa to the Middle East, but is also found throughout the Balkans (
This is likely one of the most problematic species treated in this study. The taxonomic history provided above is complex with numerous status changes and infraspecific taxa.
Distribution map of
Combination in
Current subspecies:
Combination in
This species was originally described from Ethiopia and is widely distributed in the Afrotropical region. It seems to be a predominantly eastern African species but is also known from Central and South Africa (
Nevertheless, despite our synonymizing of both taxa, the taxonomic condition of
Distribution map of
Combination in
Status as species:
Current subspecies:
This species was originally described from Mozambique and in the Afrotropical region seems to be restricted to Southern Africa (
Again, the disjunctive distribution raises some doubts about the identity of our material. Even though it is conspecific the material previously identified from Oman and Yemen, it needs to be proven that it is indeed
Subspecies of
Status as species:
This species record for Yemen is somewhat dubious. We have not examined the type material but preliminary examination of type images on AntWeb suggest that the material from Yemen is similar in color but there appear to be substantial differences in overall surface sculpture. This needs to be further investigated, ideally by comparing the Yemeni material with the type from Central Africa.
Distribution map of
The patronymic epithet has been selected in honor of Bear Grylls, the survival instructor in recognition of his remarkable efforts in spreading the culture of survival globally.
The microhabitat of
This new species is only known from the Asir Mountains,
This distinct new species immediately be separated from all Arabian
The record of
Fayfa, type locality of
Distribution map of
Combination in
Current subspecies:
Knowing that the species is widespread in the Mediterranean and Middle East and the only record for the Arabian Peninsula is from Yemen, we think that it is likely that it is also present in the
The patronymic epithet has been selected in honor of Ms. Jacinda Ardern, the Prime Minister of New Zealand in recognition of her humanitarian attitudes towards Muslim and minority communities in New Zealand.
The microhabitats where
This new species is only known from Oman (Fig.
The distinctive golden yellow gaster and complete lack of propodeal armament of
Ayn Sahlanoot, Dhofar, type locality of
Combination in
Status as species:
Current subspecies:
This species was originally described from Israel and is also known from the southeastern Europe and the Middle East (
Considering that the species was known from most countries around the
Combination in
Subspecies of
Status as species:
Current subspecies:
[First available use of
This species is originally described from Italy and widespread in southern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East (
This is a good example of a
Distribution map of
Combination in
Status as species:
Current subspecies:
This species was described from South Africa for the Afrotropical region and it seems to be restricted to the southern African countries of Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa (
The species record from Oman appears doubtful based on the strange distribution pattern noted above. However, since we were unable to examine any material of this species, we consider it prudent to list it as an Arabian species for the moment.
Combination in
Current subspecies:
Initially described from Kenya, in the Afrotropics this species is East African in its distribution found in Kenya, Uganda, Somalia, Sudan, and Tanzania (
Combination in
Subspecies of
Status as species:
Current subspecies:
This species seems to be common and widespread in northern Africa. Since we have not collected or examined any material from Arabia we list this provisionally as an Arabian species for the time being since it was listed by several authors (see above).
Combination in
Subspecies of
Status as species:
Current subspecies:
While this species was originally described from Senegal, it seems to have a fairly disjunctive distribution since it is known from eastern and northwestern Africa without being recorded from countries in-between (
The disjunct distribution of this species is a bit unusual and might require further attention in future studies of Afrotropical
Combination in
This species was described from Algeria and is also found in the neighboring countries of Tunisia and Lybia (
We have been hesitant with this decision since both taxa are similar to other Afrotropical or Mediterranean
As can be seen from the species accounts presented above, the taxonomic histories of many species treated herein are complex and problematic. Many species have had numerous status changes and a changing number of infraspecific taxa. In some cases, it is likely that the species listed here will turn out to be senior or junior synonym of another taxon, and it is also very probable that some or many of the infraspecific taxa deserve to be treated as “good” species. As a consequence, except for the few species endemic to the Arabian Peninsula, for most others we suggest caution. Our review of species is based on literature records, material examined by the first author, and Arabian material examined in some European collections. We have pointed out which species we consider well identifiable and which ones are difficult. Overall, we consider previous identifications, as well as ours, as temporary. This study is meant as a first step stone towards a more comprehensive revision of the Arabian
Notwithstanding the taxonomic problems lined out above, the treated fauna of
The ant genus
Although at present only 17 species of
We are indebted to Kadri Kiran and an anonymous reviewer for useful comments. We thank Brian Fisher and Michele Esposito for imaging the new species; Annette Patzelt for permission to use the image of Ayn Sahlanot and Saif Al-Hatmi (Oman Botanic Garden) for support during the field work in Oman; Bernard Landry (