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Review of the Arabian Crematogaster Lund (Hymenoptera, Formicidae), synoptic list, distribution, and description of two new species from Oman and Saudi Arabia
expand article infoMostafa R. Sharaf‡§, Abdulrahman S. Aldawood§, Francisco Hita Garcia|
‡ American Museum of Natural History, New York, United States of America
§ King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| Graduate University, Onna-son, Japan

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

Academic editor: Marek Borowiec
© 2019 Mostafa R. Sharaf, Abdulrahman S. Aldawood, Francisco Hita Garcia.
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, Aldawood AS, Hita Garcia F (2019) Review of the Arabian Crematogaster Lund (Hymenoptera, Formicidae), synoptic list, distribution, and description of two new species from Oman and Saudi Arabia. ZooKeys 898: 27-81. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.898.37531
ZooBank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:52448626-026D-4D5B-BB75-5097E06814D7
Open Access

Abstract

The genus Crematogaster is one of the most species-rich and widespread groups of ants. Despite their often-high local abundance and important ecological interactions, the taxonomy of the genus is fragmentary and in great need of modern revisionary studies. As a first step towards a revision for the Arabian fauna of Crematogaster, a review of all known species with synoptic species accounts is provided. Seventeen species are recognized and illustrated from the Arabian Peninsula, of which two new species are described: C. jacindae Sharaf & Hita Garcia, sp. nov. from the Dhofar Governorate, Oman, and C. gryllsi Sharaf & Hita Garcia, sp. nov. from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) based on the worker caste. Crematogaster jacindae sp. nov. is easily separated from the remainder of the Arabian Crematogaster fauna due to its complete lack of propodeal spines, slit-shaped propodeal spiracles, and its distinct bicoloration, whereas C. gryllsi sp. nov. is readily distinguished by its unlobed postpetiolar dorsum. Furthermore, new country records are presented: C. acaciae Forel for the KSA and Yemen, and C. delagoensis Forel and C. jehovae Forel for the KSA C. antaris for Qatar, whereas C. luctans Forel is excluded from the Arabian fauna. In addition, on the basis of morphological examination of original type material, C. affabilis Forel is proposed as junior synonym of C. chiarinii Mayr, and C. striaticeps is elevated to species rank stat. nov. Furthermore, a new identification key for the Arabian species is provided, as well as distribution maps for all species.

Keywords

Arabian Peninsula, Asir Mountains, Dhofar Governorate, Middle East, new records, new species, new status, new synonymy, Qatar, taxonomy

Introduction

The myrmicine ant genus Crematogaster Lund, 1831 is one of the most species-rich genera of the family Formicidae with 500 described species, 269 valid subspecies and two fossil species (Blaimer 2012a; Bolton 2019). The genus is widely distributed worldwide throughout most of the tropical and subtropical regions (Hölldobler and Wilson 1990; Longino 2003). Most species are arboreal and build nests in dead branches, under bark or in carton nest structures, or, less commonly, nest directly in soil (Hölldobler and Wilson 1990; Madden and Young 1992; Palmer and Brody 2013). When natural history information is available, these ants are generalized foragers or omnivores with numerous species also tending homopterans and Hemipterans (e.g., Brown 2000; Campbell 1994; Gullan et al. 2018; Longino 2003) for honey dew.

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 (Buren 1959; 1968), Costa Rica (Longino 2003), Madagascar (e.g., Blaimer 2010; 2012b; c), and parts of South East Asia (e.g., Hosoishi and Ogata 2008; 2009; 2015; 2017). However, apart from these, for most other regions, the taxonomy is in a very poor state, without modern revisionary treatments that cleared the taxonomic chaos from the 19th and early 20th century. As a consequence, the taxonomic validity of the majority of species and infraspecific taxa has not been comprehensively examined. We are certain that many nominally valid species and subspecies will have to be synonymized while at the same time there are numerous new species awaiting formal description. Therefore, species of Crematogaster are notoriously difficult to identify to species level in most parts of the world and the genus is in dire need of any modern, thorough revisionary study.

There are numerous, scattered, records of Crematogaster on the Arabian Peninsula. Prior to this study, the total number of species was 15 (plus one subspecies), recorded from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) (Collingwood 1985; Collingwood and Agosti 1996), the United Arab Emirates (UAE) (Collingwood and Agosti 1996; Collingwood et al. 2011), the Sultanate of Oman (Collingwood 1985; 1988; Collingwood and Agosti 1996; Sharaf et al. 2018), Yemen (Collingwood and van Harten 1994; 2001; 2005), and Kuwait (Collingwood and Agosti 1996). However, there are no records known from Bahrain, nor the Socotra Archipelago.

The taxonomy of Arabian Crematogaster is even more challenging than in other parts of the world due to the geographic location of the Arabian Peninsula, which connects sub-Saharan Africa or the Afrotropical region with the Mediterranean/Middle East or Palaearctic region (Kreft and Jetz 2010). As a consequence, the Arabian Peninsula shares biogeographical affinities with both, the Afrotropical and Palaearctic regions, however, no modern revisions of Crematogaster exist for these regions around the Arabian Peninsula. While there are some treatments covering particular countries or smaller areas in Europe or the northern Mediterranean, these either just describe new taxa or provide identification resources without revising the genus (Collingwood 1978, Agosti and Collingwood 1987, Cagniant 2005, Seifert 2007, Karaman 2008). In addition, many Crematogaster species have large female reproductives and good dispersal abilities leading to often vast distribution ranges. Thus, to be certain about the identity of any Arabian Crematogaster material it would require examining and comparing hundreds of Afrotropical and Palaearctic type specimens from numerous natural history collections. This enormous task is unfortunately outside the scope of our study; however, we believe this study can present a first important step towards understanding the species distributions of Crematogaster on the Arabian Peninsula.

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 Crematogaster and describe two new species: C. jacindae sp. nov. from Oman and C. gryllsi sp. nov. from the Asir Mountains, KSA. Furthermore, we examine and propose some status changes for Arabian taxa and discuss doubts about identifications and species records for some species.

Materials and methods

Materials

Species names in this work follow the online catalogue of Bolton (2019) and in addition to published references (e.g., Collingwood 1985; Collingwood and Agosti 1996; Hita Garcia et al. 2013). The taxonomic histories of the treated taxa follow the online catalogue of ants of the world (Bolton 2019) and Antwiki (www.antwiki.org). Digital stacked color images were created using a Leica DFC450 digital camera with a Leica Z16 APO microscope and LAS (v3.8) software. These images are also available online on AntWeb (https://www.antweb.org) and are accessible through unique specimen identifiers attached (e.g., CASENT0872096). Distribution ranges were examined on Antmaps (https://antmaps.org; Guénard et al. 2017; Janicki et al. 2017) and general information of species on Antwiki. Distribution maps were made using DIVA-GIS (version 7.5.0.0).

Terminology and measurements

The terminology used to describe surface sculpture is based on (Harris 1979). Morphological terminology, measurements, and indices follow (Blaimer 2010, Longino 2003).

EL Eye length; maximum diameter of compound eye in profile.

HL Head length; maximum distance from the midpoint of anterior clypeal margin to midpoint of posterior margin of head, measured in full-face view.

HW Head width: maximum width of head behind eyes in full-face view.

LHT Length of metatibia, excluding the proximomedial condyle.

ML Mesosomal length; diagonal length of mesosoma in profile from posteroventral margin of propodeal lobe to anterior most point of pronotal slope, excluding neck.

PTH Petiole height; measured from petiole sternum to apex in profile.

PPL Postpetiole length: maximum length of postpetiole measured in dorsal view.

PPW Postpetiole width: maximum width of postpetiole measured in dorsal view.

PRW Pronotal width: maximum pronotal width in dorsal view.

PTL Petiole length: measured in profile as distance from dorso-posterior margin of segment to anterior inflection point where petiole curves up to condyle.

PTW Petiole width: maximum width of dorsal face of petiole node measured in dorsal view.

SL Scape length; maximum scape length excluding basal condyle and neck.

Indices

OI Ocular index: EL / HW × 100

CI Cephalic index: HW / HL × 100

SI Scape index: SL / HW × 100

PTHI Petiole height index: PTH / PTL × 100

PTWI Petiole width index: PTW / PTL × 100

LBI Leg-body index: WL / LHT × 100

PPI Postpetiole index: PPW / PTW × 100

Throughout the text, ‘w’ stands for ‘worker’ or ‘workers’, ‘q’ for queen, ‘m’ for male, ‘BS’ for beating sheet, ‘ML’ for Malaise trap, and ‘SF’ sifting.

Institutions and museums

The abbreviations of natural history collections follow Evenhuis (2019) and Brandão (2000).

BMNH The Natural History Museum, London, U.K.

CASC California Academy of Sciences collection, California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, California, USA.

KSMA King Saud University Museum of Arthropods, Plant Protection Department, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

MHNG Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, Geneva, Switzerland.

OUMC Oxford University Museum, Oxford, U.K.

WMLC World Museum Liverpool, Liverpool, U.K.

Results

Synoptic list of Arabian species of Crematogaster

Crematogaster acaciae Forel, 1892

Crematogaster aegyptiaca Mayr, 1862

Crematogaster antaris Forel, 1894b

Crematogaster auberti Emery, 1869a

Crematogaster chiarinii Emery, 1881

= Crematogaster affabilis Forel, 1907b syn. nov.

Crematogaster delagoensis Forel, 1894a

Crematogaster flaviventris Santschi, 1910

Crematogaster gryllsi Sharaf & Hita Garcia sp. nov.

Crematogaster inermis Mayr, 1862

Crematogaster jacindae Sharaf & Hita Garcia sp. nov.

Crematogaster jehovae Forel, 1907c

Crematogaster laestrygon Emery, 1869b

Crematogaster striaticeps Forel, 1909, stat. nov.

Crematogaster melanogaster Emery, 1895

Crematogaster mimosae Santschi, 1914a

Crematogaster oasium Santschi, 1911

Crematogaster senegalensis Roger, 1863

Identification key to Arabian species of Crematogaster

1 Postpetiole not bilobed dorsally (Figs 1A, 17A–C) C. gryllsi sp. nov.
– Postpetiole bilobed dorsally (Fig. 1B) 2
2 Propodeal spines completely absent (Fig. 1C) 3
– Propodeal spines present, ranging from small denticles to long spines (Fig. 1D) 4
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. 1E); mesopleura and metapleura longitudinally striated (Fig. 1E); mesonotum without hairs; propodeal spiracles circular (Figs 1E, 20A–C) C. inermis Mayr
– 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. 1F); mesopleura and metapleura distinctly densely imbricate (Fig. 1F); mesonotum with a single pair of hairs; propodeal spiracles slit-shaped (Fig. 1F), gaster golden yellow (Fig. 21A–C) C. jacindae sp. nov.
4 Propodeal spines reduced to a small denticle (Fig. 14A–C) C. delagoensis Forel
– Propodeal spines well developed 5
5 In full-face view, antennal scapes short, clearly not reaching posterior margin of head (Fig. 2A) 6
– In full-face view, antennal scapes longer, clearly reaching or surpassing posterior margin of head (Fig. 2B) 9
6 Propodeal spines short and blunt (Fig. 2C), approx. as long as their bases in profile; antennal fossae surrounded by curved striolae in full-face view (Figs 2A, 7A–C) C. aegyptiaca Mayr
– Propodeal spines long and acute, distinctly longer than their bases in profile (Fig. 2D); antennal fossae surrounded by longitudinal striolae in full-face view (Fig. 2E) 7
7 Body distinctly opaque; cephalic surface completely densely longitudinally rugulose (Fig. 2F); head, mesosoma, petiole and postpetiole reddish (Fig. 27A–C) C. mimosae Santschi
– Body shining; only area in front of eyes faintly longitudinally rugolose; head, mesosoma, petiole and postpetiole uniform yellow or brown 8
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. 5A–C) C. acaciae Forel
– 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. 12A–C) C. chiarinii Emery
9 Antennal scapes when laid back from their insertions just reach posterior margin of head in full-face view 10
– Antennal scapes when laid back from their insertions clearly surpassing posterior margin of head in full-face view 11
10 Unicolorous brown species; clypeus smooth; anterior half of head in full-face view longitudinally striated, ground surface between striae smooth (Fig. 3A); posterior half of head smooth, general appearance of head shining (Fig. 29A–C) C. senegalensis Roger
– 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. 3B); general appearance of head dull (Fig. 15A–C) C. flaviventris Santschi
11 Mesonotum in profile without a small tubercle close to promesonotal suture 12
– Mesonotum in profile with a small tubercle close to promesonotal suture 13
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. 3C); propodeal spines long and acute, more than twice longer than bases (Fig. 3D); mesonotum in profile feebly convex (Fig. 3D); subpetiolar process well developed (Fig. 3D); mesosomal hairs numerous (Fig. 3D), five on promesonotum, two on pronotum, and a single pair on the propodeum (Fig. 26A–C) C. melanogaster Emery
– 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. 3E); propodeal spines shorter and blunt, ca. 1.5× longer than bases (Fig. 3F); mesonotum in profile strongly convex (Fig. 3F); subpetiolar process absent; mesosomal hairs restricted to a single pair on pronotum (Fig. 10A–C) C. auberti Emery
13 Cephalic surface and clypeus completely finely densely longitudinally striated (Fig. 30A–C) C. striaticeps Forel
– Anterior half of cephalic surface or at least area in front of eyes and clypeus longitudinally striated 14
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. 28A–C) C. oasium Santschi
– 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 15
15 Petiole in dorsal view with concave anterior margin (Fig. 4A); promesonotum and mesonotum dorsum unsculptured (Fig. 8A–C) C. antaris Forel
– Petiole in dorsal view with a straight anterior margin (Fig. 4B); promesonotum and mesonotum dorsum distinctly longitudinally striated 16
16 Postpetiole approx. twice broader than long in dorsal view (Fig. 4C); color black-brown or dark brown (Fig. 24A–C) C. laestrygon Emery
– Postpetiole little broader than long in dorsal view (Fig. 4D); color red-brown (Fig. 23A–C) C. jehovae Forel
Figure 1. 

A Postpetiole of C. gryllsi sp. nov. in dorsal view, CASENT0919794 (Michele Esposito) B postpetiole of C. chiarinii in dorsal view, CASENT0263878 (Will Ericson) C propodeum of C. inermis in profile, CASENT0922679 (Wade Lee) D propodeal spines of C. chiarinii in profile, CASENT0263878 (Will Ericson) E mesosoma of C. inermis in profile, KG01956A (Michele Esposito) F mesosoma of C. jacindae in profile CASENT0922856 (Michele Esposito), www.AntWeb.org.

Figure 2. 

A Head of C. aegyptiaca in full-face view, CASENT0916082 (Anna Pal) B head of C. oasium in full-face view, CASENT0249821 (Ryan Perry) C mesosoma of C. aegyptiaca in profile, CASENT0916082 (Anna Pal) D propodeal spines of C. chiarinii in profile, CASENT0263878 (Will Ericson) E head of C. chiarinii in full-face view, CASENT0263878 (Will Ericson) F head of C. mimosae in full-face view,CASENT0904507 (Will Ericson), www.AntWeb.org.

Figure 3. 

A Head of C. senegalensis in full-face view, CASENT0104592 (April Nobile) B head of C. flaviventris in full-face view, CASENT0912651 (Will Ericson) C head of C. melanogaster in full-face view, CASENT0904511 (Will Ericson) D mesosoma of C. melanogaster in profile, CASENT0904511 (Will Ericson) E head of C. auberti in full-face view, CASENT0908480 (Zach Lieberman) F mesosoma of C. auberti in profile, CASENT0904499 (Will Ericson), www.AntWeb.org.

Figure 4. 

A Petiole of C. antaris in dorsal view, CASENT0903658 (Will Ericson) B petiole of C. jehovae in dorsal view, CASENT0908475 (Zach Lieberman) C postpetiole of C. laestrygon in dorsal view, CASENT0912691 (Zach Lieberman) D postpetiole of C. jehovae in dorsal view, CASENT0908475 (Zach Lieberman), www.AntWeb.org.

Review of Arabian species

Crematogaster acaciae Forel

Figure 5A–C

Taxonomic history

Crematogaster acaciae Forel, 1892: 141 (w.) Ethiopia.

Combination in Crematogaster (Acrocoelia): Emery 1922: 144; in Crematogaster. (Crematogaster): Bolton 1995: 166.

Subspecies of C. brunneipennis: Wheeler 1922: 152.

Status as species: Emery 1922: 144; Collingwood 1985: 260.

Current subspecies: C. acaciae generosa Santschi, C. acaciae gloriosa Santschi, C. acaciae victoriosa Santschi.

Material examined

KSA: Jebel Dhablah, 27.79175N, 41.34063E, 03.v.1985, 950 m (W. Buttiker) (1 w, WMLC); Alqatif, 26.51028N, 49.96889E, 14.iv.1983 (Collingwood CA) (1 w, WMLC); Alqatif, 26.51028N, 49.96889E, 15.iv.1983 (Collingwood CA) (48 w, WMLC); Oman: muqshen (mugshin), 19.55N, 54.883333E, 20.ix.1979 (R. W. Whitcomb) (1 w, WMLC); 67 km S. Mintirib, desert trade, 27.i.1986 (W. Buttiker) (9 w, eastern sand project, WMLC); W. of Muscat, 23.588N, 58.3829E, 26.ix.1982 (M. Gallagher) (2w, 6374, WMLC); Yemen: Al Kawd, 13.088622N, 45.364722E, x.1992 (1 q, WMLC); Namibia: Kuzikus Wildlife Reserve, Windhoek, 23.2306S, 18.401617E, 1340 m, 07.ix.2009 (H Campbell) (I W, OUMC); Sudan: Khordonia, 11.85N, 34.25E, 24.x.2001 (J. Mathews) (2 W, OUMC); Khordonia, Damazine Plantation, Blue Nile, 11.85N, 34.25E, 25.x.2000 (J. Mathews) (2 W, OUMC); Tanzania: Mkomazi Igire Hill, 10.i.1996 (G. McGavin) (2 W, OUMC).

Geographic range

Crematogaster acaciae was originally described from Ethiopia but is also known from Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, South Africa, and Zambia (Guénard et al. 2017; Janicki et al. 2017). For the Arabian Peninsula, it was previously only known from Oman (Collingwood 1985; Collingwood and Agosti 1996; Borowiec 2014; Sharaf et al. 2018; Monks et al. 2019) (Fig. 6). In this study, we provide the first records for the KSA and Yemen.

Remarks

This species represents a typical problematic taxon within the genus. The known distribution of C. acaciae and its three subspecies in the Afrotropics is patchy and there are some notable morphological differences between the infraspecific taxa. At present, it is likely that the taxonomic status of the involved taxa will change within the frame of a comprehensive revision of the Afrotropical fauna.

Figure 5. 

C. acaciae A body in profile B body in dorsal view C head in full-face view, CASENT0908494 (Zach Lieberman), www.AntWeb.org.

Figure 6. 

Distribution map of C. acacia and C. aegyptiaca.

Crematogaster aegyptiaca Mayr

Figure 7A–C

Taxonomic history

Crematogaster aegyptiaca Mayr, 1862: 765 (w.) Egypt.

Combination in Crematogaster (Crematogaster): Wheeler 1922: 828; in Crematogaster (Acrocoelia): Emery 1922: 144; in Crematogaster (Crematogaster): Bolton 1995: 166.

Current subspecies: C. aegyptiaca pharaonis Santschi, C. aegyptiaca robusta Emery, C. aegyptiaca turkanensis Santschi.

Material examined

KSA: Asir Province, Abha, Al Habala, 18.034167N, 42.858167E, 2397 m, 25.iv.2011 (Sharaf MR) (19 w, KSMA); Riyadh, Al Hayer, 24.290833N, 46.9075E, 10.iii.2011 (Sharaf MR) (14 w, KSMA); UAE: Near Mahafiz, 25.09N, 55.48E, 24.iii-07.iv.2011 (M Hauser et al.), UAE13055 (1 w, CASENT0264387, 1 w, CASENT0264388, KSMA); Wadi Maidaq, 25.18N, 56.07E, 15–31.x.2010 (M Hauser et al.), UAE12848 (1 w, CASENT0265207, KSMA); Oman: dunes near Mintirib, 22.4248N, 58.8032E, 17.xi.1984 (M. Gallagher) (1 w, WMLC).

Geographic range

This species was originally described from Egypt and can be found in most most countries of North Africa but also in Sudan and Kenya (Guénard et al. 2017; Janicki et al. 2017). For the Arabian Peninsula, it was recorded from the KSA, Oman, the UAE, and Yemen (Borowiec 2014; Collingwood 1985, Collingwood and Agosti 1996; Collingwood et al. 2011; Sharaf et al. 2018) (Fig. 6).

Remarks

As for C. acacia (and many other taxa), the taxonomic condition of this species is relatively unclear due to the absence of any revisions in the regions in question, and we cannot predict the taxonomic status of C. aegyptiaca and its subspecies after being revised. However, based on our experience with this species, it is readily identifiable and we are very confident of the Arabian material being genuine C. aegyptiaca.

Figure 7. 

C. aegyptiaca A body in profile B body in dorsal view C head in full-face view, CASENT0916082 (Anna Pal), www.AntWeb.org.

Crematogaster antaris Forel

Figure 8A–C

Taxonomic history

Crematogaster (Acrocoelia) auberti r. antaris Forel, 1894b: 26 (w., q.) Algeria.

Combination in Crematogaster (Acrocoelia): Emery 1922: 142; in Crematogaster (Crematogaster): Bolton 1995: 166.

Subspecies of C. inermis: Emery 1926: 2; Menozzi 1927: 379; of C. auberti: Emery 1924: 8; Finzi 1930: 15; Santschi 1938: 38; Cagniant 1964: 103.

Status as species: Santschi 1921: 71; Collingwood 1985: 260.

Crematogaster auberti var. sordida Forel, 1909: 104 (w.) Algeria. [First available use of Crematogaster auberti r. laestrygon var. sordida Forel, 1894: 26; unavailable name]. Combination in C. (Acrocoelia): Emery 1922: 142.

Subspecies of C. antaris: Santschi 1921: 71. Junior synonym of C. antaris: Cagniant 2005: 11.

Material examined

KSA: Riyadh, Al Mezahmyiah, 24.46633N, 46.25131E, 648 m, 29.xi.2014 (Salman S) (19 w, KSMA); Riyadh, Al Dawadmy, 24.55216N, 43.93170E, 873 m, 16.i.2015 (Salman S) (9 w, KSMA); Taif, Al Wesam district, 21.204722N, 40.345278E, 11.x.2010 (Al Dhafer et al.) (5 w, KSMA); Asir province, Ballasmer, A’l Azza, 18.60815N, 42.24628E, 2611 m, 27.iv.2019 (Sharaf MR) (2 w, KSMA); Asir province, Abha, Al Souda, 18.274167N, 42.364444E, 2982 m, 24.iv.2011 (Sharaf MR) (1 w, KSMA); Taif, Shafa of Shafa hwy, 21.139167N, 40.351389E, 12.x.2010 (Al Dhafer et al.) (8 w, KSMA); Altawil, 18.016667N, 42.95E, 21–22.ix.1984 (W. Buttiker) (1 w, WMLC); W. Harith, 17.4863N, 44.0825E, 28.ix.1978 (W. Buttiker) (1 w, WMLC); El Shoiba, 20.680084N, 39.523233E, 28.xii.1978 (W. Buttiker) (1 w, WMLC); Jeddah, 21.4858N, 39.1925E, 26.ii.1934 (G. L. Bates, B.M. 1934-404) (6 w, BMNH). Oman: Mintrib, 22.4248N, 58.8032E (M. D. Gallagher) (7 w, WMLC); Qarhat Mu’ammur, 21.666667N, 59.316667E, 22.iv.1986 (M. D. Gallagher) (1 w, 7691, WMLC); khabura (Al Khaburah), 23.9628N, 57.0957E, 10.iii.1980 (R. W. Whitcomb) (1 w, WMLC); Musandan, 26.03333N, 56.3E (3 w, WMLC); Mu’ammur, 1986 (W. Buttiker) (1 q, WMLC); Um Qashab, 27.iv.1986 (M. D. Gallagher) (2 w,7865, WMLC); 50–90 km E of Hayam, ii-iii.1993 (R.D. Schumann) (1 w, desert, in spirit tube, WMLC); Qarhat Mu’ammur, 21.666667N, 59.316667E, 135 m, 02.ii.1986 (W. Buttiker) (4 w in spirit tube, eastern sand project, dunes, WMLC); Khabura, 23.9628N, 57.0957E, 01.xii.1979 (R. W. Whitcomb) (6 w, BMNH); Rustaq, 23.387831782N, 57.421331648E, 07.v.1979 (R. W. Whitcomb) (11 w, BMNH); Khboura, 23.9628N, 57.0957E, 27.i.1980 (R. W. Whitcomb) (21 w, BMNH). Qatar: Umsaid Road, 09.iv.2005 (M. S. Abdel-Dayem) (10 w, KSMA); Al Kharara-Seleiyn Road, 09.iv.2005 (M. S. Abdel-Dayem) (13 w, KSMA). UAE: Ras Ghanada, vi.1995 (B. Tigar) (15 w in spirit tube, WMLC); Public Hunting Ground, 12.viii.1994 (B. Tigar) (13 w in spirit tube, 2360, WMLC); Al Ain Zoo, 24.1792N, 55.7396E, iv-v.1995 (B. Tigar) (7 w in spirit tube, WMLC); Sweihan, 24.4582N, 55.3324E, 04.iii.1995 (Collingwood CA) (25 w in spirit tube, stony desert, WMLC); Khour Al Taafirah, 17.2N, 42.35E, 10.x.1984 (W. Buttiker) (14 w in spirit tube, WMLC); Dubai city, 25.2048N, 55.2708E, 2002 (K. Valsan) (4 w, BMNH). Yemen: W. Aden Port, Jebel Jihaf, 04.x.1937 (H. Scott & E. B.Britton. B.M.1933-246) (9 w, B. M. Expedition to S.W. Arabia, BMNH); Summit of Jebel Kohl,15 miles N. of Sana’a, 01.ii.1938 (H. Scott & E. B. Britton. B.M.1933-246) (6 w, B.M. Expedition to S.W. Arabia, H. Scott & E. B. Britton, B.M.1933-246).

Geographic range

Originally described from Algeria, C. antaris is also found in Morroco, Tunisia, Egypt, and Iran (Sharaf 2006; Paknia et al. 2008; Vonshak and Ionescu-Hirsch 2009; Borowiec 2014; Guénard et al. 2017; Janicki et al. 2017). Its apparent absence in Libya is likely a sampling artifact. Crematogaster antaris is also broadly distributed in the Arabian Peninsula where it is known from Kuwait, Oman, the KSA, the UAE, and Yemen (Collingwood 1985; Tigar and Collingwood 1993; Collingwood and Agosti 1996; Collingwood et al. 2011; Borowiec 2014; Sharaf et al. 2018) (Fig. 9).

Remarks

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.

Figure 8. 

C. antaris A body in profile B body in dorsal view C head in full-face view, CASENT0908473 (Will Ericson), www.AntWeb.org.

Figure 9. 

Distribution map of C. antaris.

Crematogaster auberti Emery

Figure 10A–C

Taxonomic history

Crematogaster (Acrocoelia) auberti Emery, 1869a: 23 (footnote) (w.) FRANCE; André 1883: 395 (q.); Emery 1891: 14 (m.).

Combination in Crematogaster (Acrocoelia): Emery 1922: 142; in Crematogaster (Crematogaster): Bolton 1995: 166.

Subspecies of C. scutellaris: Emery and Forel 1879: 464; of C. schmidti: Emery 1891: 14; of C. inermis: Emery 1926: 3.

Status as species: Forel 1894b: 24; Forel 1902: 152; Bondroit 1918: 115; Karavaiev 1927: 104; Finzi 1930: 15; Santschi 1937: 300.

Current subspecies: C. auberti karawaewi Ruzsky, C. auberti levithorax Forel, C. auberti nigripes Menozzi, C. auberti regilla Santschi, C. auberti savinae Zimmermann, C. auberti vogti Forel.

Senior synonym of Crematogaster auberti var. iberica Forel, 1909: 103 (w.) SPAIN.

Junior synonym of C. auberti: Collingwood 1978: 69.

Material examined

KSA: Riyadh, Al Ammaryia, 24.794167N, 46.423333E, 648 m, 21.i.2010 (Aldawood AS) (12 w, KSMA); Eastern province, Buqaiq, 25.962222N, 49.647139E, 95 m, 03.iii.2011 (Al Dhafer et al.) (2 w, KSMA); Egypt: Alexandria, 07.v.1899 (1w, BMNH); Algeria: Bona, 24.xi.1993 (2 w, BMNH); Morocco: Tamri N. de Agadir, 13–17.iii.1961 (Meinander) (3 w, BMNH).

Geographic range

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 (Sharaf 2006; Borowiec and Salata 2012; Borowiec 2014; Guénard et al. 2017; Janicki et al. 2017). On the Arabian Peninsula it has been only recorded from the KSA (Collingwood 1985; Collingwood and Agosti 1996; Borowiec and Salata 2012; Borowiec 2014) (Fig. 11).

Remarks

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. Borowiec (2014) states that all records from the eastern parts of the Mediterranean region are doubtful and likely misidentifications. If so, this would mean that the material from KSA is probably another species. However, at present and without a meaningful treatment of the European Crematogaster fauna, it is not possible for us to ascertain the genuine identity of this species. Thus, we maintain it as C. auberti for the moment and await further study of type material in European collections which might help elucidate its real identity.

Figure 10. 

C. auberti A body in profile B body in dorsal view C head in full-face view, CASENT0908470 (Will Ericson), www.AntWeb.org.

Figure 11. 

Distribution map of C. auberti and C. delagoensis.

Crematogaster chiarinii Emery

Figure 12A–C

Taxonomic history

Crematogaster chiarinii Emery, 1881: 271, fig. (w.) Ethiopia: Forel 1892: 353 (q., m.).

Combination in Crematogaster (Crematogaster): Wheeler 1922: 835; in Crematogaster (Acrocoelia): Emery 1922: 146; in Crematogaster (Crematogaster): Bolton 1995: 166.

Current subspecies: C. chiarinii aethiops, C. chiarinii bayeri, C. chiarinii cincta, C. chiarinii nigra, C. chiarinii sellula, C. chiarinii subsulcata, C. chiarinii taediosa, C. chiarinii v-nigra.

Crematogaster chiarinii var. affabilis Forel, 1907b: 142 (w.) Somalia. Syn. nov.

Combination in Crematogaster (Acrocoelia): Emery 1922: 146; in Crematogaster (Crematogaster): Bolton 1995: 166.

Material examined

KSA: Al Baha Province: Elqamh park, Baljurshi, 19.913056N, 41.905E, 1931 m, 17.v.2010 (Sharaf MR) (12 w, KSMA); Al Mukhwah, Dhi Ayn village, 19.929417N, 41.441722E, 741 m, 18.v.2011 (Sharaf MR) (19 w, KSMA); Al Mukhwah, Dhi Ayn village, 19.929417N, 41.441722E, 741 m, 15.v.2011 (Sharaf MR) (4 w, KSMA); W. Elzaraeb (Kheir), 20.073417N, 41.38675E, 2123 m, 15.v.2010 (Sharaf MR) (3 w, KSMA); Amadan, Almandaq, 20.245278N, 41.468333E, 1881 m, 19.v.2010 (Sharaf MR) (3 w, KSMA); Al Baha city, 20.014533N, 41.4674E, 2172 m, 16.v.2010 (Sharaf MR) (3 w, KSMA); W. Jallah, 20.134472N, 41.342889E, 1912 m, 16.v.2011 (Sharaf MR) (15 w, 6 q, 6 m, KSMA); AlUrdyia gov., W. Gonouna, 19.429361N, 41.605028E, 353 m, 12.v.2011 (Sharaf MR) (3 w, KSMA); W. Turabah, Almandaq, 20.211028N, 41.288222E, 1793 m, 10.v.2011 (Sharaf MR) (21 w, KSMA); W. Turabah, Almandaq, 20.241917N, 41.262833E, 1751 m, 19.ix.2011 (Sharaf MR) (1 w with broken waist and gaster, KSMA); Baljurshi forest, 19.80559N, 41.71198E, 1930 m, 21.ix.2011 (FA Esteve) (2 w, KSMA); AlTawla (Al Baha-Taif RD), W. Bawah, 20.7496N, 41.247433E, 1310 m, 08.xi.2012 (Sharaf MR) (10 w, KSMA); W. Dafa near Eiban, 17.37463N, 43.07539E, 888 m, 12.xi.2012 (Sharaf MR) (7 w, KSMA); Asir province: Khamis Mushayt, W. Bishah, 18.333639N, 42.703583E, 1990 m, 27.iv.2011 (Sharaf MR) (4 w, KSMA); Abha, 18.2465N, 42.5117E, 25.iii.1983 (Collingwood CA) (9 w, WMLC); Ashaira, 21.7575N, 40.651944E, 1340 m, 14–15.ix.1980 (Collingwood CA) (1 w, WMLC); Ashaira, 21.7575N, 40.651944E, 1340m, 06–10.v.1936 (H. St. J. B. Philby, B.M.1936-405) (2 w, BMNH). Asir Province: Khamis Mushayt, W. Ben Hashbal, 18.594806N, 42.650361E, 26.iv.2011 (Sharaf MR) (18 w, KSMA); Khamis Mushayt, 18.3093N, 42.7662E, x.1997 (C. W. Mills) (2 w, WMLC); W. Saber, 20.18N, 41.1665E, 06.iii.2013 (Sharaf MR) (4 w, KSMA); Najran province: Najran city, 17.49590N, 44.12922E, 1323 m, 21.ii.2015 (S Salman) (3 w, KSMA); Najran, 17.5656N, 44.2289E, 25.iii.1983 (Collingwood CA) (2 w, WMLC); Fayfa, 17.29691N, 43.135E, iii.1983 (Collingwood CA) (25 w, WMLC). Yemen: Taiz (y529), 13.5776N, 44.0178E, x.1991 (A van Harten) (3 w, WMLC); W. Surdud, 15.266667N, 43.716667E, xii.1991 (A van Harten) (1 w, WMLC); Mabar, 14.7953N, 44.2905E, viii.1992 (A van Harten) (1 w, 1256, WMLC); W. Al Barahani, 13.3042N, 44.1003E, ii.1992 (M. Mahyoub) (1 w,1001, WMLC); Khazam, 13.49N, 43.84E, 1950 m, ix.1979 (B. Lanza) (2 w, WMLC); Taiz, Maagala, 13.5776N, 44.0178E, ii.1993 (A van Harten) (15 w, 983, WMLC); Rehab, 14.23N, 44.19E, iii.1992 (A van Harten) (8 w, 1088, WMLC); Rehab, 14.23N, 44.19E, iv.1993 (M. Knapp) (18 w, 1999, WMLC); Suq Bani Mansur, 14.59646N, 43.594325E, iv.1991 (M. Knapp) (10 w, 191, WMLC); Taiz, 15.266667N, 43.716667E, ii.1992 (M. Knapp) (20 w, 1006, WMLC); Zingibar, 13.135N, 45.3886E, iii.1993 (20 w, in tube, WMLC); Sana’a, 15.3694N, 44.191E, 11–18.iii.1937 (Dr. Carl Rathiens,B.M.1938-396) (1 w, BMNH); W.Aden Port,Al Huseini near Lahej, 13.0578N, 44.8833E, 29.xi.1937 (B.M. Expedition to S.W. Arabia, H. Scott & E. B. Britton. B.M.1933-246) (1 w, BMNH). Oman: W. Dhiyan, 19.7314N, 41.4219E, 13–14.ix.1983 (M. D. Gallagher) (1 w, WMLC); Dhofar, 17.0194N, 54.1108E, 04.ix.1985 (R. W. Whitcomb) (9 w, WMLC); Fasad (Dhofar), 18.4333N, 53.1333E, ii.1998 (M. D. Gallagher) (1 q, WMLC).

Geographic range

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 (Guénard et al. 2017; Janicki et al. 2017). From the Arabian Peninsula, the species has been recorded from the southwestern mountains of the KSA and Oman (Wheeler 1922; Borowiec 2014; Collingwood 1985, Collingwood and Agosti 1996) (Fig. 13).

Remarks

Crematogaster affabilis was originally described as a variety of C. chiarinii but subsequently elevated to species rank by Collingwood (1985) based on head width, length of the propodeal spines, and absence of the mesonotal tubercle. During the present study the type material of C. chiarinii and C. affabilis (MHNG) were examined and detailed morphological examinations of the type material shows that both are uniformly brown with the anterior half of the cephalic surface longitudinally striated; the frontal triangle is well-defined with a distinct posterior carina running back to the posterior level of the eyes; the propodeal spines long and acute, about 1.5 × longer than their base, making an angle of about 45 with the longitudinal axis of the body in profile view; and, the mesonotum in profile descending abruptly to a deep metanotal groove. The type of C. affabilis is somewhat larger but not more than major workers in both species are from minor workers. Consequently, even though both taxa are outside the focal region of Arabia, on the basis of any lack of significant phenotypical differences, we propose C. chiarinii as a senior synonym of C. affabilis.

Nevertheless, despite our synonymizing of both taxa, the taxonomic condition of C. chiarinii is still in need of a thorough revision. The taxonomic history above with all status changes, synonymic history, and numerous still valid infraspecific taxa shows clearly the complexity of this task. Based on superficial examination of material from the Afrotropical region, we are doubtful that the material from East Africa might remain conspecific with the one from Central and South Africa. Hopefully, a future revision of the Afrotropical fauna will resolve this situation.

Figure 12. 

C. chiarinii A body in profile B body in dorsal view C head in full-face view, CASENT0263878 (Will Ericson), www.AntWeb.org.

Figure 13. 

Distribution map of C. chiarinii.

Crematogaster delagoensis Forel

Figure 14A–C

Taxonomic history

Crematogaster inermis r. delagoensis Forel, 1894a: 99 (w.) Mozambique.

Combination in Crematogaster (Acrocoelia): Emery 1922: 146; in Crematogaster (Crematogaster): Bolton 1995: 166.

Status as species: Emery 1922: 146.

Current subspecies: C. delagoensis acutidens Arnold, C. delagoensis merwei Santschi, C. delagoensis rhodesiana Arnold.

Material examined

KSA: Alnaifiam Farshet Shaal, 22.41559N, 46.58806E, 602 m, 12.iv.2015 (Al Dhafer et al.) (1 w, KSMA).

Geographic range

This species was originally described from Mozambique and in the Afrotropical region seems to be restricted to Southern Africa (Guénard et al. 2017; Janicki et al. 2017). Our material represents the first record from the KSA since the species was previously only known from Yemen and Oman (Borowiec 2014; Collingwood and Agosti 1996; Sharaf et al. 2018) (Fig. 11).

Remarks

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 C. delagoensis. The lack of records from East Africa and the southwestern parts of KSA could be due to insufficient sampling, but it could also be that the Arabian material is not similar to the South African “genuine” C. delagoensis.

Figure 14. 

C. delagoensis A body in profile B body in dorsal view C head in full-face view, CASENT0908517 (Will Ericson), www.AntWeb.org.

Crematogaster flaviventris Santschi

Figure 15A–C

Taxonomic history

Crematogaster flaviventris Santschi, 1910: 370 (w, q, m) Democratic Republic of Congo.

Subspecies of C. inversa: Santschi 1914a: 86; of C. castanea: Santschi 1935: 257.

Status as species: Collingwood and Agosti 1996: 330.

Geographic range

Crematogaster flaviventris was originally described from the Democratic Republic of Congo and is also found in Angola, Zambia, and southern Sudan (Guénard et al. 2017; Janicki et al. 2017). On the Arabian Peninsula, it seems to be restricted to Yemen (Collingwood and Agosti 1996; Blaimer 2012a; Borowiec 2014) (Fig. 16).

Remarks

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.

Figure 15. 

C. flaviventris A body in profile B body in dorsal view C head in full-face view, CASENT0912651 (Will Ericson), www.AntWeb.org.

Figure 16. 

Distribution map of C. flaviventris and C. melanogaster.

Crematogaster gryllsi Sharaf & Hita Garcia, sp. nov.

http://zoobank.org/F3844A54-2467-4CBD-A04B-5BFB079077CB
Figure 17A–C

Type material

Holotype : pinned worker, KSA: Fayfa, 17.29691N, 43.13500E, 837 m, 06.iv.2013 (Sharaf MR) (CASENT0872096, KSMA). Paratypes: 29 pinned workers, same data as the holotype (28 w, KSMA, 1 w, CASENT0919794, CASC); Asir Province, Abha, Raydah, 18.195817N, 42.389083E, 1614 m, 31.vii.2015 (Al Dhafer et al.) (8 w, KSMA; 1 w, WMLC); Abha, Raydah, 18.19465N, 42.39485E, 1851 m, 08.vi.2014 (Al Dhafer et al.) (1 w, KSMA).

Diagnosis

Crematogaster gryllsi sp. nov. is distinguished from related congeners by the combination of the following characters: Mesonotum in profile without a tubercle on promesonotal suture; propodeal dorsum and propodeal spines forming a continuous concave curve in profile; postpetiolar node entire, not bilobed dorsally; mesopleura, petiole, and postpetiole distinctly densely punctate; color uniform yellow, second half of gaster brown-yellow.

Holotype worker

EL 0.22; HL 0.75; HW 0.80; LHT 0.57; PPL 0.12; PPW 0.20; PRW 0.45; PTH 0.17; PTL 0.22; PTW 0.32; SL 0.62; ML 0.90; Indices. CI 107; LBI 158; OI 28; PPI 63; PTHI 77; PTWI 145; SI 78.

Paratype workers

EL 0.15–0.25; HL 0.65–0.87; HW 0.67–0.87; LHT 0.45–0.57; PPL 0.12–0.18; PPW 0.17–0.25; PRW 0.40–0.55; PTH 0.12–0.25; PTL 0.12–0.25; PTW 0.27–0.42; SL 0.50–0.70; ML 0.75–1.0; Indices. CI 96–107; LBI 124–178; OI 22–31; PPI 59–81; PTHI 88–125; PTWI 145–267; SI 68–93 (N = 15).

Description

Worker. Workers of the new species showing marked size variation in the two nests.

Head. Head as long as or little broader than long with convex sides and feebly concave posterior margin; antennae 12-segmented; in full-face view antennal scapes when laid back from their insertions reach or surpass posterior margin of head by the length of the first funicular segment; eyes of moderate size (OI 22–31), located nearly at mid-length of head in full-face view and with about 12 ommatidia in the longest row; anterior clypeal margin broadly convex. Mesosoma. Mesonotum in profile without a small tubercle on promesonotal suture; promesonotal suture feebly impressed; mesonotum convex in profile; median mesonotal carina absent; metanotal groove shallowly impressed but distinct; propodeal spines long, sharp and upward directed; propodeal spiracle circular, and located below the base of the propodeal spines; propodeal dorsum and propodeal spines forming a continuous concave curve in profile. Petiole. In profile petiole distinctly longer than high (PTHI 88–125; PTWI 145–267); approx. twice broader anteriorly than posteriorly in dorsal view; subpetiolar process well developed. Postpetiole. Postpetiolar node entire, not bilobed in dorsal view. Pilosity. Cephalic and clypeal surfaces with abundant scattered fine appressed pubescence; anterior clypeal margin and mandibles with abundant scattered long yellow hairs; antennae and legs with dense appressed pubescence; mesosoma without hairs; promesonotum and mesonotum dorsum with few appressed pubescence; petiole, postpetiole and the first three gastral tergites with appressed pubescence; few hairs on the terminal gastral segment. Sculpture. Mandibles longitudinally striated; clypeal surface smooth; area in front of eyes finely longitudinally striated; cephalic surface smooth; antennal fossae surrounded by fine and curved striolae; promesonotum side smooth; promesonotum dorsum faintly longitudinally rugulose; propodeal dorsum faintly longitudinally striated; mesopleura, petiole, and postpetiole distinctly densely punctate; metapleura faintly, irregularly striated; gastral tergites smooth. Color. Head, mesosoma, petiole, postpetiole, first gastral tergite, legs, and antennae uniform yellow, second half of gaster brown-yellow.

Etymology

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.

Ecological and biological notes

The microhabitat of Crematogaster gryllsi in the type locality (Fayfa Mountains) (Fig. 18) is the humid leaf litter under Acacia and Calotropis procera (Aiton) W. T. Aiton (Apocynaceae) trees. The specimens were collected by sifting leaf litter. The material from Raydah were collected by pitfall traps.

Geographic range

This new species is only known from the Asir Mountains, KSA (Fig. 19).

Remarks

This distinct new species immediately be separated from all Arabian Crematogaster species by the undivided postpetiolar node and the uniform yellow color. All other species have a divided postpetiolar node. Crematogaster gryllsi appears to be related directly to C. luctans Forel, 1907 from Kenya as it possesses an undivided postpetiolar dorsum as well. However, C. gryllsi can be separated by the following characters: metanotal groove shallowly impressed, propodeal dorsum and propodeal spines forming a continuous concave curve in profile; promesonotum side smooth; mesopleura distinctly densely punctate; whereas C. luctans has deeply impressed, U-shaped metanotal groove profile; convex propodeal dorsum in profile extending posteriorly to straight propodeal spines; mesosomal sides longitudinally striated.

Comments

The record of C. luctans given by Collingwood (1985) was based on material collected from Fayfa Mountains where the new species, C. gryllsi was collected. Considering that the shape of the postpetiole is uncommon in the Arabian fauna and the initial identification of C. luctans was probably based on this character, it is highly likely that the record of C. luctans by Collingwood (1985) represents a misidentification. This hypothesis is further supported by the complete lack of any material of luctans in the WMLC. Therefore, the species was omitted from the list of Arabic species.

Figure 17. 

C. gryllsi sp. nov. A body in profile B body in dorsal view C head in full-face view, CASENT0919794 (Michele Esposito), www.AntWeb.org.

Figure 18. 

Fayfa, type locality of C. gryllsi sp. nov. (M. Sharaf).

Figure 19. 

Distribution map of C. gryllsi sp. nov., C. jacindae sp. nov. and C. jehovae.

Crematogaster inermis Mayr

Figure 20A–C

Taxonomic history

Crematogaster inermis Mayr, 1862: 766 (w.) Egypt. André 1883: 395 (q.); Santschi 1937: 296 (q.); Santschi 1938: 38 (m.).

Combination in Crematogaster (Crematogaster): Wheeler 1922: 840; in Crematogaster (Acrocoelia): Emery 1922: 143; in Crematogaster (Crematogaster): Bolton 1995: 166.

Current subspecies: C. inermis aphrodite Santschi, C. inermis armatula Emery, C. inermis lucida Forel.

Material examined

Egypt: Elmenia, Abu Swelam, 30.75N, 28.1E, 29.vi.2003 (Sharaf MR) (1 w, OUMC).

Geographic range

Crematogaster inermis was originally described from Egypt and is widely distributed from the Iberian Peninsula through North Africa to the Middle East (Borowiec 2014; Guénard et al. 2017; Janicki et al. 2017). For the Arabian Peninsula, this species was only recorded from Yemen (Collingwood and van Harten 2001; Borowiec 20114).

Remarks

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 KSA. Futher sampling is necessary to verify this.

Figure 20. 

C. inermis A body in profile B body in dorsal view C head in full-face view, CASENT0922679 (Wade Lee), www.AntWeb.org.

Crematogaster jacindae Sharaf & Hita Garcia, sp. nov.

http://zoobank.org/15D56546-DEA0-4764-AA6C-D2BADC5A4621
Figure 21A–C

Type material

Holotype : pinned worker, Oman: Dhofar, Ayn Sahlanoot, 17.14766N, 54.17878E, 151 m, 16.xi.2017 (Sharaf MR) (CASENT0872068, KSMA). Paratype: pinned workers, Oman: Dhofar: Ayn Hamran, 17.08631N, 54.28043E, 56 m, 22.xi.2017, BS (Sharaf MR) (11 w, KSMA, 1 w, CASENT0922856, CASC, 1 w, WMLC); Ayn Razat, 17.12443N, 54.23832E, 98 m, 20.xi.2017, ML (Sharaf MR) (8 w); Dhalkout, 16.72673N, 53.24942E, 623 m, 18.xi.2017, SF (Sharaf MR) (16 w); Dhalkout, 16.70703N, 53.25068E, 34 m, 19.xi.2017, BS (Sharaf MR) (7 w); Dhalkout, 16.69273N, 53.15621E, 628 m, 18.xi.2017, BS (Sharaf MR) (17 w); Ayn Sahlanot, 17.14766N, 54.17878E, 151 m, 16.xi.2017, BS (Sharaf MR) (4 w); Ayn Ashat, 16.99810N, 53.81954E, 202 m, 21.xi.2017, SF (Sharaf MR) (20 w); Dhalkout road, Aghbaroot village, 16.79818N, 53.55392E, 1034 m, 18.xi.2017, BS (Sharaf MR) (1 w) (KSMA).

Diagnosis

Crematogaster jacindae sp. nov. is distinguished from related congeners by the combination of the following characters: median mesonotal carina absent; propodeal spines absent; propodeal spiracle distinct in the form of a slit; area in front of eyes finely longitudinally striated; antennal fossae surrounded by fine and curved striolae; head black-brown or black, mesosoma, petiole and postpetiole dark brown, relatively lighter than head, gaster golden yellow.

Holotype worker

EL 0.20; HL 0.75; HW 0.82; LHT 0.55; PPL 0.12; PPW 0.20; PRW 0.42; PTH 0.12; PTL 0.25; PTW 0.22; SL 0.55; ML 0.87; Indices. CI 109; LBI 158; OI 24; PPI 167; PTHI 48; PTWI 88; SI 67.

Paratype workers

EL 0.17–0.22; HL 0.72–0.92; HW 0.75–1.0; LHT 0.52–0.75; PPL 0.12–0.17; PPW 0.15–0.25; PRW 0.32–0.50; PTH 0.12–0.17; PTL 0.20–0.32; PTW 0.20–0.30; SL 0.50–0.95; ML 0.77–1.02; Indices. CI 96–113; LBI 121–165; OI 16–27; PPI 125–208; PTHI 44–68; PTWI 78–125; SI 61–95 (N = 20)

Description

Worker. Head. Head as long as or little broader than long with convex sides and feebly concave posterior margin; antennae 12-segmented; in full-face view antennal scapes when laid back from their insertions fail to reach posterior margin of head; eyes of moderate size (OI 16–27), located nearly at mid-length of head in full-face view and with ca. eleven ommatidia in the longest row; anterior clypeal margin broadly convex. Mesosoma. Promesonotum and mesonotum forming continuous curve in profile; median mesonotal carina absent; metanotal groove well developed; propodeal dorsum short forming curve with longer propodeal declivity; propodeal spines absent; propodeal spiracle distinct and slit-shaped. Petiole. In profile petiole distinctly longer than high (PTHI 44–68; PTWI 78–125); broader anteriorly than posteriorly in dorsal view. Postpetiole. Postpetiolar node distinctly bilobed in dorsal view; nearly as high as petiole in profile. Pilosity. Cephalic surface with abundant scattered fine pale hairs; anterior clypeal margin and mandibles with several long yellow hairs; posterior half of clypeus without hairs or pubescence; antennae and legs with abundant appressed pubescence; promesonotum and mesonotum each with single pair of hairs; promesonotum and mesonotum dorsum with appressed pale pubescence; no hairs or pubescence on propodeum; petiole and postpetiole each with single pair of posteriorly directed hairs; gastral pilosity restricted to few pairs on posterior margins of gastral tergites; gastral tergites with scattered appressed pubescence. Sculpture. Mandibles longitudinally striated; clypeal surface smooth; area in front of eyes finely longitudinally striated; cephalic surface feebly imbricate; antennal fossae surrounded by fine and curved striolae; promesonotum lateral side faintly imbricate; promesonotum dorsum faintly reticulate rugulose; mesopleura, metapleura, petiole, and postpetiole distinctly densely imbricate; gastral tergites faintly imbricate. Color. Head black-brown or black, mesosoma, petiole and postpetiole dark brown, relatively lighter than head, gaster golden yellow and strongly contrasting with remainder of body.

Etymology

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.

Ecological and biological notes

The microhabitats where C. jacindae sp. nov. was encountered included leaf litter, soil, under stones, or on native vegetation, especially acacia trees (Fig. 22). The majority of specimens were collected foraging on plants using a beating sheet, but workers were also observed foraging on the ground and wild shrubs.

Geographic range

This new species is only known from Oman (Fig. 19).

Remarks

The distinctive golden yellow gaster and complete lack of propodeal armament of C. jacindae sp. nov. allows this Omani species to be immediately recognized from all other Arabian species. The closest relative of the new species is Crematogaster inermis Mayr, 1862 from Egypt. Both species are similar in body size and the lack of propodeal spines, but C. jacindae sp. nov. can be readily separated by the following characters: area in front of eyes finely longitudinally striated; cephalic surface feebly imbricate; eyes with about 11 ommatidia in the longest row; posterior half of clypeus without hairs or pubescence; mesopleura and metapleura distinctly densely imbricate; mesonotum with a single pair of hairs and without anterior tubercles; propodeal spiracles distinct in the form of a slit; body bicolored with head black-brown or black, mesosoma, petiole and postpetiole dark brown, relatively lighter than head, gaster golden yellow. By contrast, C. inermis has an unsculptured cephalic surface including the area in front of the eyes, eyes with ca. 14 ommatidia in the longest row, the posterior half of clypeus with fine appressed pubescence, mesosoma with a small anterior tubercle close to the promesonotal suture seen in profile; mesopleura and metapleura longitudinally striated, mesonotum without hairs, propodeal spiracle circular, unicolorous black-brown body.

Figure 21. 

C. jacindae sp. nov., paratype worker A body in profile B body in dorsal view C head in full-face view, CASENT0922856 (Michele Esposito), www.AntWeb.org.

Figure 22. 

Ayn Sahlanoot, Dhofar, type locality of C. jacindae sp. nov. (photo: Annette Patzelt).

Crematogaster jehovae Forel

Figure 23A–C

Taxonomic history

Crematogaster (Acrocoelia) auberti subsp. jehovae Forel, 1907c: 207 (w.) Israel: Menozzi 1933: 58 (q.).

Combination in Crematogaster (Acrocoelia): Emery 1922: 142; Santschi 1930: 266; in Crematogaster (Crematogaster): Bolton 1995: 166.

Status as species: Emery 1926: 3; Menozzi 1933: 58.

Current subspecies: C. jehovae crawleyi Emery.

Material examined

KSA: Asir province, Ballasmer, A’l Omer, 18.76008N, 42.26806E, 2455 m, 28.iv.2019 (Sharaf MR) (1 w, KSMA); Raydah: 18.204267N, 42.4124E, 2820 m, 21.ii.2014 (Al Dhafer et al.) (4 w, KSMA); Raydah: 18.20525N, 42.410117E, 2761 m, 21.ii.2014 (Al Dhafer et al.) (1 w, KSMA); Ballasmer, A’l Azza, 18.60815N, 42.24628E, 2611 m, 27.iv.2019 (Sharaf MR) (2 w, KSMA).

Geographic range

This species was originally described from Israel and is also known from the southeastern Europe and the Middle East (Borowiec and Salata 2012; Borowiec 2014; Guénard et al. 2017; Janicki et al. 2017). Our material represents the first record from the KSA since it was previously only known from UAE and Yemen (Borowiec and Salata 2012; Borowiec 2014) (Fig. 19).

Remarks

Considering that the species was known from most countries around the KSA, it is not surprising to now be discovered in this region. The taxonomy and identification of this species seems straightforward and we expect that this will remain this way.

Figure 23. 

C. jehovae A body in profile B body in dorsal view C head in full-face view, CASENT0914150 (Zach Lieberman), www.AntWeb.org.

Crematogaster laestrygon Emery

Figure 24A–C

Taxonomic history

Crematogaster laestrygon Emery, 1869b: 135 (w.) Italy: De Stefani 1889: 145 (q.); Baroni Urbani 1964: 43 (q.).

Combination in Crematogaster (Acrocoelia): Emery 1922: 142; in Crematogaster (Crematogaster): Bolton 1995: 166.

Subspecies of C. scutellaris: Emery and Forel 1879: 464; André 1883: 393; of C. schmidti: Emery 1891: 15; of C. auberti: Forel 1902: 154; Ruzsky 1902: 31; Stitz 1917: 341; Santschi 1921: 70; Emery 1922: 142; Santschi 1934: 167.

Status as species: Forel 1909: 104; Santschi 1915: 59; Emery 1926: 2; Wheeler 1927: 106; Santschi 1936: 201.

Current subspecies: C. laestrygon airensis Santschi, C. laestrygon atlantis Santschi, C. laestrygon canariensis Barquín, C. laestrygon diminuta Santschi, C. laestrygon granulata Santschi, C. laestrygon maura Forel, C. laestrygon submaura Lomnicki, C. laestrygon theryi Santschi, C. laestrygon vivax Santschi.

Crematogaster laestrygon subsp. vaucheri Emery, 1926: 2 (w.) Morocco.

[First available use of Crematogaster auberti st. laestrygon var. vaucheri Santschi, 1921: 71; unavailable name.] Junior synonym of C. laestrygon: Collingwood 1978: 69.

Material examined

Yemen: Hada, Sana’a, 15.3N, 44.166667E, 15.vii.1988 (P. Haney) (1 w, CASC).

Geographic range

This species is originally described from Italy and widespread in southern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East (Borowiec 2014; Guénard et al. 2017; Janicki et al. 2017). The Arabian records are from the KSA and Yemen (Borowiec 2014; Collingwood 1985, Collingwood and Agosti 1996) (Fig. 25).

Remarks

This is a good example of a Crematogaster species with a complex and uncertain taxonomic situation. It is relatively widespread in the Mediterranean and Middle East and currently has nine subspecies. It is doubtful that they are conspecific and it is possible that this is a species complex. As outlined below, we consider C. laestrygon striaticeps as sufficiently different to raise it to the rank of species.

Figure 24. 

C. laestrygon A body in profile B body in dorsal view C head in full-face view, CASENT0912691 (Zach Lieberman), www.AntWeb.org.

Figure 25. 

Distribution map of C. laestrygon, C. mimosae, C. oasium, and C. senegalensis.

Crematogaster melanogaster Emery

Figure 26A–C

Taxonomic history

Crematogaster arborea subsp. melanogaster Emery, 1895: 29 (w., q.) South Africa.

Combination in Crematogaster (Crematogaster): Wheeler 1922: 840; in Crematogaster (Acrocoelia): Emery 1922: 147; in Crematogaster (Crematogaster): Bolton 1995: 166.

Status as species: Wheeler 1922: 840.

Current subspecies: C. melanogaster homonyma Emery.

Geographic range

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 (Guénard et al. 2017; Janicki et al. 2017). The only records for the Arabian Peninsula are from Oman (Collingwood and Agosti 1996; Borowiec 2014; Sharaf et al. 2018) (Fig. 16).

Remarks

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.

Figure 26. 

C. melanogaster A body in profile B body in dorsal view C head in full-face view, CASENT0904511 (Will Ericson), www.AntWeb.org.

Crematogaster mimosae Santschi

Figure 27A–C

Taxonomic history

Crematogaster mimosae Santschi, 1914a: 87, fig. 11 (w.) Kenya: Menozzi 1939: 105 (q.).

Combination in Crematogaster (Crematogaster): Wheeler 1922: 841; in Crematogaster (Acrocoelia): Emery 1922: 148; in Crematogaster (Crematogaster): Bolton 1995: 166.

Current subspecies: C. mimosae tenuipilis Santschi.

Geographic range

Initially described from Kenya, in the Afrotropics this species is East African in its distribution found in Kenya, Uganda, Somalia, Sudan, and Tanzania (Guénard et al. 2017; Janicki et al. 2017). In the Arabian Peninsula, it was recorded from the KSA, Oman, the UAE and Yemen (Collingwood 1985, Collingwood and Agosti 1996; Borowiec 2014; Sharaf et al. 2018) (Fig. 25).

Remarks

Crematogaster mimosae is one of four species of obligate acacia ants, which have been well studied in East Africa, mostly Kenya (e.g., Young et al. 1997; Martins 2010). From a taxonomic perspective, this is one of the “easy” cases within the genus in Arabia, thus very straightforwardly identifiable.

Figure 27. 

C. mimosae A body in profile B body in dorsal view C head in full-face view, CASENT0904507 (Will Ericson), www.AntWeb.org.

Crematogaster oasium Santschi

Figure 28A–C

Taxonomic history

Crematogaster (Acrocoelia) auberti st. oasium Santschi, 1911: 84 (w.) Tunisia; Santschi 1937: 303 (q.); Bernard 1953: 156 (m.).

Combination in Crematogaster (Acrocoelia): Emery 1922: 142; in Crematogaster (Crematogaster): Bolton 1995: 166.

Subspecies of C. antaris: Santschi 1921: 71; of C. auberti: Santschi 1929: 99.

Status as species: Santschi 1937: 303; Collingwood 1985: 261.

Current subspecies: C. oasium saharensis Santschi.

Geographic range

Crematogaster oasium was described from Tunisia and can be found from Morocco east to Egypt (Borowiec 2014; Guénard et al. 2017; Janicki et al. 2017). In the Arabian Peninsula, it was recorded from Kuwait, KSA, Oman, and UAE (Collingwood 1985, Collingwood and Agosti 1996; Collingwood et al. 2011; Borowiec 2014; Sharaf et al. 2018) (Fig. 25).

Remarks

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).

Figure 28. 

C. oasium A body in profile B body in dorsal view C head in full-face view, CASENT0249821 (Ryan Perry), www.AntWeb.org.

Crematogaster senegalensis Roger

Figure 29A–C

Taxonomic history

Crematogaster senegalensis Roger, 1863: 206 (w., q.) Senegal.

Combination in Crematogaster (Acrocoelia): Emery 1922: 144; in Crematogaster (Crematogaster): Bolton 1995: 166.

Subspecies of C. aegyptiaca: Santschi 1914b: 344; Emery 1915: 10; Wheeler 1922: 828; Emery 1922: 144; Santschi 1929: 148.

Status as species: Forel 1922: 93; Bernard 1950: 288.

Current subspecies: C. senegalensis goliathula Forel.

Material examined

KSA: Asir province: Raydah: 18.204267N, 42.4124E, 2820 m, 21.ii.2014 (Al Dhafer et al.) (18 w, KSMA); Raydah: 18.221667N, 42.404167E, 2600 m, 13.iv.2011 (Sharaf MR) (21 w, 1 q, KSMA); Al Souda, 18.274167N, 42.364444E, 2982 m, 24.iv.2011 (Sharaf MR) (9 w, KSMA).

Geographic range

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 (Guénard et al. 2017; Janicki et al. 2017). In the Arabian Peninsula, it was recorded from the KSA, Oman, and Yemen (Collingwood 1985; Collingwood and Agosti 1996; Collingwood et al. 2011; Borowiec 2014; Sharaf et al. 2018) (Fig. 25).

Remarks

The disjunct distribution of this species is a bit unusual and might require further attention in future studies of Afrotropical Crematogaster. It is likely that the odd distribution is just based on a sampling artifact or a preference of arid habitats, which are not as common in Central Africa. However, it could also be the case that this species, as currently defined, consists of several cryptic taxa. Without a thorough revision of the Afrotropical fauna it is impossible to be sure and we therefore list material examined as C. senegalensis.

Figure 29. 

C. senegalensis A body in profile B body in dorsal view C head in full-face view, CASENT0104592 (April Nobile), www.AntWeb.org.

Crematogaster striaticeps Forel, stat. nov.

Figure 30A–C

Taxonomic history

Crematogaster laestrygon striaticeps Forel, 1909: 104 (w.) Algeria; Santschi 1937: 308 (q., m.).

Combination in Crematogaster (Acrocoelia): Emery 1922: 142.

Geographic range

This species was described from Algeria and is also found in the neighboring countries of Tunisia and Lybia (Borowiec 2014; Guénard et al. 2017; Janicki et al. 2017). In the Arabian Peninsula, it has been recorded from the KSA (Collingwood 1985).

Remarks

Crematogaster striaticeps was originally described as a subspecies of C. laestrygon but herein we treat this taxon as a good species. The main difference responsible for the decision to raise striaticeps to the specific rank is the presence of dense longitudinal striations on the entire cephalic surface whereas laestrygon has a smooth cephalic surface and longitudinal striations are feebly developed and restricted to the area in front of eyes.

We have been hesitant with this decision since both taxa are similar to other Afrotropical or Mediterranean Crematogaster taxa and it is not clear which taxonomic status they may assume after a thorough revision of the genus. However, since we established that C. laestrygon and C. striaticeps are not the same taxon, we propose to separate them by raising the latter to species rank to achieve clarity of their status for the Arabian region and future studies of its fauna.

Figure 30. 

C. striaticeps A body in profile B body in dorsal view C head in full-face view, CASENT0908479 (Zach Lieberman), www.AntWeb.org.

Discussion

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 Crematogaster fauna. Since comprehensive taxonomic revisions of the genus are not to be expected from neither the Palaearctic nor the Afrotropical regions any time soon, the most sensible solution for the study of Arabian Crematogaster is to visit additional European collections and compare our material with as many types as possible in order to verify or improve the identifications of our material.

Notwithstanding the taxonomic problems lined out above, the treated fauna of Crematogaster exemplifies very well that the Arabian Peninsula shares substantial faunal elements with the Palaearctic (mostly Mediterranean species) and the Afrotropics, with a minority of species currently considered as Arabian endemics. At present, we recognize eight Afrotropical, seven Palaearctic, and two Arabian species, which we think fits fairly well with the biogeography of the Arabian Peninsula. However, this assessment might change with further studies and comparisons with types. We suspect that in some cases it might turn out that our material is not conspecific with any of the previously identified species and might represent another undescribed endemic, but this requires further taxonomic work.

The ant genus Crematogaster is one of the most abundant myrmicine genera in the Arabian Peninsula, especially in the Asir mountains, Yemen, and Oman, particularly in areas with open forests and woodlands of Acacia (Martius, 1829) (Fabaceae) and Juniperus L. (Cupressaceae) trees. The close ecological association between ants and acacia trees has been documented by several authors (e.g., Hölldobler and Wilson 1990; Isbell et al. 2013; Madden and Young 1992; Palmer and Brody 2013; Young et al. 1997). Crematogaster mimosae is known to have mutualistic relationships with other ants in East Africa (Boyle et al. 2017; Palmer and Brody 2013) and we anticipate similar associations to be found in the vast areas of Acacia forests of the southwestern part of the Arabian Peninsula.

Although at present only 17 species of Crematogaster are known from the Arabian Peninsula, further targeted collecting may yield both additional species records and more new species. For example, no Crematogaster have been collected from Bahrain but it is very unlikely that the genus is absent from the country. We are sure that the current absence of Crematogaster records from Bahrain is due to the lack of any national myrmecological studies. The identification key to the Arabian Crematogaster presented herein serves as a foundation for further faunistic studies and taxonomic revisions of the genus.

Acknowledgments

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 (MHNG) for the loan of type material of C. chiarinii and C. affabilis; James Hogan (OUMC), Stephen Judd, Tony Hunter (WMLC), for making material available for study; Mahmoud Abdel-Dayem for making the distribution maps; and Ahmed Shams Al Ola and Shehzad Salman for technical assistance. FHG was supported by subsidy funding to OIST and JSPS Kakenhi Grants-in-Aid (No. 18K14768). This work was supported by the Researchers Supporting Project number (RSP-2019/107), King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Mostafa Sharaf thanks Barry Bolton, Boris Kondratieff, and Brian Taylor for appreciated support along several years of work.

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