Cardiocondyla rugulosa Seifert 2003

Seifert, Bernhard, 2023, A revision of the Palaearctic species of the ant genus Cardiocondyla Emery 1869 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), Zootaxa 5274 (1), pp. 1-64 : 43-44

Cardiocondyla rugulosa Seifert 2003 [type investigation]

This taxon has been described from Yemen. Investigated was the holotype worker labelled “ Yemen, Sana’a, 1991.05, leg. A.van Harten ”, SMN Görlitz .

All material examined. Only the holotype specimen was available for examination. For details see supplementary information SI1, SI2. This material originated from Yemen (1 sample) .

Geographic range. So far only known from the type locality Sana’a (15.37°N, 44.19°E, 2265 m) .

Diagnosis: --Worker ( Tab. 3 , Figs. 66–69 , key). Rather large, CS 576 µm. Head moderately elongated, CL/CW 1.168. Postocular index low, PoOc/CL 0.344. Median third of hind margin of head notably concave. Scape rather short, SL/CS 0.789. Eye large, EYE/CS 0.267. Frons moderately broad (FRS/CS 0.249), frontal carinae slightly converging immediately caudal of FRS level (FL/FR 1.027). Mesosoma in lateral view characteristic: dorsal profile of promesonotum only weakly convex, metanotal depression shallow (MGr/CS 2.1 %) and dorsal profile of propodeum more strongly convex and more strongly sloping down to spine base than in related species. Spines short (SP/CS 0.101), acute and weakly erected, their axis in profile deviating by about 33° from longitudinal axis of mesosoma, their bases more approached (SPBA/CS 0.240). Petiole distinctly higher than wide (PeW/CS 0.276, PeH/CS 0.329), 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 in dorsal view with elongated node that gradually merges with the anterior peduncle. Postpetiole wide (PpW/CS 0.537, PpW /PeW 1.95, PpH/CS 0.286), in dorsal view suggestively heard-shaped, with a concave anterior margin and convex sides; postpetiolar sternite completely flat. Clypeus and frontal laminae finely longitudinally rugulose. Whole vertex densely and finely longitudinally rugulose, the numerous foveolae of 14–18 µm diameter are not eye-catching because of being embedded within the rugosity, foveolar interspaces on paramedian vertex about as wide as foveolar diameter and glabrous ( Fig.69 ). Dorsal promesonotum with scattered foveolae and weakly microreticulate between superimposed longitudinal rugulae. Propodeum irregularly microreticulate. Lateral pronotum moderately shiny but on whole surface microreticulate. Lateral mesonotum and mesopleuron reticulate and longitudinally rugulose. Lateral metapleuron with 5–7 weak, longitudinal carinae. Petiole irregularly microreticulate. Postpetiole more shiny, with very delicate microreticulum. Pubescence on gaster tergites moderately long and moderately dense, PLG/CS 5.41 %, sqPDG 5.48. Head, gaster, femora, and tibiae dark brown to blackish brown. Mesosoma and postpetiole dark brown with reddish component. Petiole orange brown.

Taxonomic comments and clustering results. C. rugulosa is morphometrically similar to nigra . The most diagnostic character of rugulosa is the strong longitudinal rugulae or carinulae on whole surface of dorsal head. The much more dense and stronger sculpture produces a mat surface appearance on head, mesosoma and petiole. The mesosomal shape is also characteristic: a feebly convex dorsal profile of promesonotum is contrasted by the more strongly convex dorsal profile of propodeum which is more strongly sloping down to spine base than in related species.

Biology. Unknown

Figures

FIGURES 66–69. Cardiocondyla rugulosa, holotype; Fig. 66: head in dorsal view; Fig. 67: lateral view (flipped horizontally); Fig. 68: dorsal view; Fig. 69: head surface between inner eye margin and paramedian vertex. Yemen: Sanaa, 1991.05