Cataglyphis holgerseni Collingwood & Agosti, 1996

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 : 120-121

Cataglyphis holgerseni Collingwood & Agosti, 1996

(Figs 14, 18, 19)

Recognition: This is a large species (worker TL>10, MW>1.45) of the urens species-complex (Agosti 1990). Male has subgenital plate with short, triangular median process and two lateral distally divergent appendages (Fig. 18) similar to C. urens Collingwood (Agosti 1990, Fg. 18) vs. parallel appendages in other Israeli species (Figs 21, 24, 27, 30). Stipes distinctly curved apically in lateral view (Fig. 19) vs. nearly straight in other Israeli species (Figs 22, 25, 28, 31). C. holgerseni worker has shortest and narrowest head relative to mesosoma width as compared to the other investigated species ( Table 1 ). It has raised mesonotum over pronotum in all 50 examined specimens; C. holgerseni has high propodeum with nearly straight dorsum and declivity that form a rounded right-angle in lateral view (Fig. 14), similar to C. urens , differing from lower propodeum in sympatric C. isis and C. cf. savignyi ( Tables 1 , 2 ). Scape and leg distinctly longer than in C. cf. savignyi ( Table 1 ), e.g. for MW=1.54, hTbL=4.56 (4.52–4.60) in 29 C. holgerseni vs. hTbL=3.99 (3.94–4.04) in 22 C. cf. savignyi from Hazeva; hTbL/mFmL=1.19–1.28, n=28, intermediate between C. isis and C. cf. savignyi . Cataglyphis holgerseni has propodeal dorsum from metanotal groove to propodeal spiracle without erect setae as opposed to profuse pilosity in C. isis . Usually entirely black, some specimens of C. holgerseni have dark red frons and, rarely, dark brown head and mesosoma. C. holgerseni differs from C. urens by more massive petiole node with average PNH=0.37 vs. 0.30 for PNL=0.71 and PNA=62–71° vs. 55–63°, respectively.

Measurements: TL=6.8–13.2, HL=1.70–2.87, HW=1.46–2.70, EL=0.47–0.76, iOD=1.05–1.95, OcClD=0.80–1.37, SL=2.19–3.63, F1L=0.51–0.86, F2L=0.29– 0.51, ML=2.83–4.49, MW=1.05–1.91, PrL=0.94–1.52, PrH=0.33–0.62, PNL= 0.56–0.97, PNW=0.37–0.70, PNH=0.27–0.55, PNA=62–71°, mFmL= 2.38–4.45, hTbL=3.69–5.52 (n=30).

Material examined: Cataglyphis holgerseni : Israel: Hazeva Field School, 20.vii.1992, A. Hefetz (2☿), 16.ii.1994, Shapira (6☿); 22.iii.1994, A. Ionescu (2☿); 2012, R. Zeltzer (3☿); Hazeva, 2012, R. Zeltzer (7☿); Nahal Shezaf, 15.i.1994, Shapira (2☿); Nahal Shahaq, 15.i.1994, Shapira (2☿), 17.viii.1999, I. Yarom (14☿); Ein Yahav, 25.ii.2009, A. Ionescu (3☿); Elat, 5.v.1976, B. Shalmon (4☿, 1♀, 1Ƌ), 2012, R. Zeltzer (6☿). Jordan: Aqaba, xi.1942, Feiga (3☿).

C. urens : Saudi Arabia: Wadi Shugub Turabah, 6.iv.1980, W. Buttiker (1☿); Riyadh, 1.vi.1980, Dr. Dishl (1☿); Sulaiel desert, 11.iv.1980, C.A. Collingwood (1☿).

Distribution: C. holgerseni is distributed in Israel in the ’Arava Valley ( Fig. 1), in Egypt (Sinai), Jordan and the Arabian Peninsula (Collingwood & Agosti 1996).