Cataglyphis isis (Forel, 1913)

A. Ionescu & P. - A. Eyer, 2016, Notes on Cataglyphis Foerster, 1850 of the bicolor species-group in Israel, with description of a new species (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), Israel Journal Of Entomology 46, pp. 109-131 : 121-123

Cataglyphis isis (Forel, 1913)

(Figs 15, 20–22)

Recognition: This is a medium-sized species (worker TL<10, MW<1.45) that belongs to the diehlii species-complex (Agosti 1990). Male has subgenital plate posteriorly with parallel lateral appendages, and large (mSAL/lSAL=0.56) triangular median process in one examined specimen (Fig. 20) or short (mSAL/lSAL= 0.31) biFd median process in another male from the same nest series (Fig. 21); the median process of the subgenital plate is long, digitiform in C. israelensis , C. niger and C. cf. savignyi (Figs 24, 27, 30). Stipes (Fig. 22) has a similar shape as in males of the niger -complex (Figs 25, 28, 31). C. isis worker has broadest head relative to the mesosoma width vs. sympatric C. holgerseni and C. cf. savignyi ( Table 1 ); the head is slightly longer than wide (HW/HL=0.86–0.98), similar to sympatric C. holgerseni and C. cf. savignyi and related C. diehlii (Forel) , vs. HW/HL>1 in a large C. adenensis bugnioni Santschi worker. The Frst funiculus segment of worker is short relative to the second segment, F1L/F2l=1.26–1.42, n=18 ( Fig. 3), similar to C. adenensis bugnioni and C. diehlii vs. F1L/F2L=1.64–2.00, n=53 in the other Israeli species of the bicolor species-group ( Figs 9, 11). The ratio hTbL/mFmL=1.17–1.26, n=30, is lower than in C. holgerseni and C. cf. savignyi . Cataglyphis isis has high petiole node ( Table 1 ), with rounded anterior and dorsal surface (Fig. 15), similar to C. adenensis bugnioni vs. somewhat Fattened anterior surface in the other Israeli species ( Figs 13, 14, 16, 17) and C. diehlii . Cataglyphis isis has gaster slightly shiny, dorsally matte vs. completely shiny in C. adenensis bugnioni and C. diehlii . Cataglyphis isis has abundant pilosity in all 65 examined specimens; scape with occasional decumbent to erect hairs that lack in related C. adenensis bugnioni and C. diehlii ; it is the sole Israeli species in this group with statistically signiFcant positive correlation between number of erect hairs on mesosoma dorsum and mesosoma length; it has 1–16 setae on propodeum dorsum. Color of workers is highly variable among localities: from black (Paran and Nahal Ovil), sometimes with a bright red spot on frons (Elat), to uniformly dark brown (Fig. 15; ’Ein Hajla), and to light ochraceous-brown with black gaster in ants from Qualya, Hazeva and Mizpe Ramon.

Measurements: TL=5.0–9.6, HL=1.37–2.40, HW=1.04–2.30, EL=0.41–0.63, iOD=0.90–1.76, OcClD=0.65–1.13, SL=1.90–2.83, F1L=0.37–0.57, F2L=0.27– 0.41, ML=2.25–3.55, MW=0.70–1.43, PrL=0.75–1.22, PrH=0.13–0.28, PNL= 0.37–0.61, PNW=0.23–0.47, PNH=0.19–0.41, mFmL=1.93–3.65, hTbL=2.36– 4.47 (n=30).

Material examined: Cataglyphis isis : Israel: ’Ein Hajla, 17.iii.2011, A. Ionescu (9☿, 1♀); Qalya, 5 km S, 15.xii.1944, H. Bytinski-Salz (9☿); Mizpe Ramon, 27.iv.2015, T. Rozenberg (3☿); Hazeva, 22.iii.1994, A. Ionescu (1☿); Paran, 15.iii.2016, P.-A. Eyer & A. Hefetz (6☿); Nahal Ovil, Rt. 40, 15.iii.2016, P.-A. Eyer & A. Hefetz (8☿); Be’er Menuha, 15.iii.2016, P.-A. Eyer & A. Hefetz (4☿); Elat, 19.i.1978, B. Shalmon (4☿, 1♀), 21.iv.1982, J. Kugler (20☿, 2♀, 2Ƌ). Egypt: Sinai, Wadi GiraF, 30.viii.196[?], J. Kugler (1☿).

C. adenensis bugnioni : Egypt: Sinai, Nabek, 23.iii.1981, J. Kugler (2☿), A. Freidberg (2☿); Sharm el Sheik, 13.iii.1982, J. Kugler (3☿).

C. diehlii (Forel) : Tunisia: Metlaoui Moulares, 28.v.1985, R. Wehner (2☿).

Distribution: C. isis is distributed in Israel in the Dead Sea area, central and southern Negev, and ’Arava Valley ( Fig. 1). It was reported from Egypt (type locality) throughout Sinai and the Arabian peninsula to the Middle East (Radchenko 1997).