Cardiocondyla kushanica Pisarski 1967

Seifert, Bernhard, 2023, A revision of the Palaearctic species of the ant genus Cardiocondyla Emery 1869 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), Zootaxa 5274 (1), pp. 1-64 : 44-45

Cardiocondyla kushanica Pisarski 1967 [type investigation]

This taxon has been described from Afghanistan. Investigated was the holotype worker (ZM Lund) and one paratype worker ( SMN Görlitz), both labelled “ Afghanistan: Darountah, A 231 (Djelalabad), 4 et 24.1.1958, leg. K.Lindberg ” .

All material examined. Only the type specimens were available for examination. For details see supplementary information SI1, SI2. This material originated from Afghanistan (1 sample) .

Geographic range. So far only known from the type locality Darountah (34.477°N, 70.365°E, 592 m).

Diagnosis: --Worker ( Tab. 3 , Figs. 70–73 , images under CASENT0917207 in www.antweb.org, key). Rather small, CS 508 µm. Head moderately elongated, CL/CW 1.162. Postocular index small, PoOc/CL 0.373. Median third of hind margin of head slightly concave. Scape rather long, SL/CS 0.828. Eye large, EYE/CS 0.270. Frons broad (FRS/CS 0.262), frontal carinae clearly converging immediately caudal of FRS level (FL/FR 1.099). Dorsal profile of promesonotum only very weakly convex, metanotal depression shallow (MGr/CS 2.56 %), dorsal profile of propodeum moderately convex. Spines rather short (SP/CS 0.100), steeper and more acute than in semirubra and batesii , their angle differing by 53° from longitudinal axis of mesosoma; their bases more approached (SPBA/CS 0.248). Petiole distinctly higher than wide (PeW/CS 0.269, PeH/CS 0.306), in profile with a short peduncle, a rather straight to weakly convex anterior face and an ample node with the anterior slope less steep than the caudal slope; petiole node in dorsal aspect much longer than wide and gradually merging with the anterior peduncle. Postpetiole wide, twice as wide as petiole and rather high (PpW/CS 0.532, PpW /PeW 1.98, PpH/CS 0.287), in dorsal view with a weakly concave anterior margin and convex sides; postpetiolar sternite completely flat. Clypeus on whole surface longitudinally carinulate, in anterior part 5–6 stronger carinulae, in posterior part 6–7 finer carinulae. Paramedian vertex with bicoronate foveolae of 16–17 µm diameter, the margins of foveolae not regularly circular but often kinked; the interspaces with perifoveolar rugae or with cross-branched carinulae that are significantly stronger than in batesii and nigra ( Fig. 73 )—consequently the overall surface impression is less shining. Mesosoma finely and irregular rugulose-reticulate; lateral meso- and metapleurae longitudinally rugulose. Petiole very finely irregular rugulose-reticulate. Dorsum of postpetiole in overall impression smooth and shining but clearly microreticulate. Pubescence on gaster tergites longer than in any related species and moderately dense, PLG/CS 6.89 %, sqPDG 4.73. Head blackish brown; mesosoma and petiole reddish brown; postpetiole and gaster brown.

Taxonomic comments and clustering results. As a combination of very long tergite pubescence, high postpetiole and characteristic head sculpture with irregular foveolar margins Cardiocondyla kushanica should be unmistakable.

Biology. Unknown

Figures

FIGURES 70–73. Cardiocondyla kushanica, paratype; Fig. 70: head in dorsal view; Fig. 71: lateral view (flipped horizontally); Fig. 72: dorsal view; Fig. 73: head surface between inner eye margin and paramedian vertex. Afghanistan: Darountah, 1958.01.21