Lasius israelicus, Seifert, 2020

Seifert, Bernhard, 2020, A taxonomic revision of the Palaearctic members of the subgenus Lasius s. str. (Hymenoptera, Formicidae), Soil Organisms 92 (1), pp. 15-86 : 54-55

4.4.11 Lasius israelicus sp. nov.

Etymology. The name refers to the terra typica.

Type material. Holotype plus 2 paratype workers on one pin labelled ” ISRAEL Nahal ‚ Ammud 32°58.50N 35°28.00E 28.v.1981 F. KAPLAN“, ”18.“; 1 male and 1 alate gyne paratype with the same labelling on another pin; 3 paratype workers labelled ” ISRAEL Hazbani 33°14.50N, 35°40.00E 24.iv.1982 J. KUGLER“; 2 paratype workers labelled ” ISRAEL Elon Nahal Keziv [Wadi Karkara] 33°04.00 N, 35°13.00E 3.iv. 1944 H. BYTINSKI-SALZ“; 3 paratype workers labelled ” ISRAEL Monfort 33.048N, 35.220E 10.iii. 1981 J. KUGLER“; depository SMN Görlitz .

All material examined. A total of 5 nest samples with 13 workers from Israel (4 samples) and Jordan (1) were subject to NUMOBAT investigation. For details see supplementary information SI1.

Geographic range. So far only known from a small area of 6000 km ² in north Israel and Jordan ( West bank) at elevations between 205 and 662 m.

Diagnosis ( Tab. 3 , Figs. 21 –22; key):

Belonging to the L. turcicus species complex. Body size rather large (CS 865 µm). Number of mandibular dents low (MaDe900 7.7). Clypeal pubescence dilute (sqPDCL 900 5.44). Petiole scale in profile view rather thin with a sharp dorsal crest. Cuticular surface of head and mesosoma shining, with reduced microsculpture. Pubescence hairs on frons very long (PLF 38.4 µm). Not to confuse with other species of the L. turcicus species complex because of longer and much more numerous setae on all body parts with exception of scape (e.g., PnHL/CS 900 0.147, nHT 900 18.0) and much longer scape and terminal segment of maxillary palps (SL/CS 900 0.996, MP6/CS 900 0.216). Coloration variable: in bicolored specimens head and gaster dark brown; mesosoma, mandibles, antennae, lateral and anterior part of clypeus, tibiae and tarsae light yellowish-reddish; in more concolorous specimens head, mesosoma and gaster medium brown with a yellowish-reddish tinge.

Biology. Unknown.

Comments. No comments.

Figures

Figs. 21 and 22: Lasius israelicus sp. nov.; holotype Figs.