Cardiocondyla persiana 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 : 39

Cardiocondyla persiana Seifert 2003 [type investigation]

This taxon has been described from Iran. Investigated was the holotype worker labelled “ IRAN, Fars 1997 (1), Shiraz, ca. 1570 m; 13.-22.9.; leg. Schödl”, NHM Wien; 1 worker paratype with same labelling, SMN Görlitz. 6 worker paratypes labelled “ IRAN, Fars 1997 (29), 80 km NW Shiraz, Chesmeh Bozghan , 2000 m; 22.9.; leg. Schödl ”, SMN Görlitz ; 7 worker paratypes with same label NHM Wien. 3 worker paratypes labelled “ IRAN, Fars 1997 (17), Barnoo NP, 7 km NE Shiraz, Chesmeh Mehrab , 1800 m; 18.9.; leg. Schödl ”, SMN Görlitz .

All material examined. Numeric phenotypical data were available in 10 samples (largely nest samples) with 26 workers. For details see supplementary information SI1, SI2. This material originated from Georgia (2 samples) and Iran (8).

Geographic range. From W Georgia (41.8°E) east to Central Iran (54.0°E) . The most southern and northern sites are in Iran at. 29.2°N and in Georgia at 41.8°N. The altitudinal range varies from 5 m in W Georgia to 2000 m in Central Iran .

Diagnosis: --Worker ( Tab. 2 , Figs. 50–53 , key; images under ANTWEB1041250 and CASENT0919736 in www.antweb.org). Medium-sized, CS 536 µm. Head moderately elongated, CL/CW 1.165. Postocular distance large, PoOc/CL 0.441. Scape moderately elongated, SL/CS 0.794. Eye rather small, EYE/CS 0.233, with notable microsetae. Median third of hind margin of head suggestively concave. Frons rather broad (FRS/CS 0.254), frontal carinae slightly converging immediately caudal of FRS level (FL/FR 1.056). Dorsal profile of promesonotum and of propodeum convex with a deep metanotal depression (MGr/CS 4.30 %). Spines rather short and acute (SP/CS 0.125), their axis in profile deviating by about 48° from longitudinal axis of mesosoma, their bases rather distant (SPBA/CS 0.270). Petiole narrower than in C. sahlbergi and distinctly higher than wide (PeW/CS 0.316, PeH/CS 0.347), the node is slightly wider than long; petiole in profile with a moderately long peduncle and moderately steep anterior and very steep posterior slope of the node (about 63° and 88° relative to ventral profile—i.e. more asymmetric than in C. sahlbergi ). Postpetiole wide, but narrower than in C. sahlbergi and moderately high (PpW/CS 0.543, PpH/CS 0.297), in dorsal view suggestively heard-shaped, with a concave anterior margin and convex sides; postpetiolar sternite with weak anteromedian bulge. Head in overall impression less shiny than in C. sahlbergi . Whole vertex with densely-packed, large (dFOV 19.4 µm) and well-demarcated foveolae showing an inner corona; the interspaces much smaller than foveolar diameter ( Fig. 53 ). Median and paramedian clypeus and a small stripe on median vertex smooth; lateral clypeus and frontal laminae usually shining and finely longitudinally carinulate. Mesosoma due to more developed foveolae and carinulae less shiny than in sahlbergi . Waist segments very shiny with barely visible microreticulum. Pubescence on whole body distinctly longer than in sahlbergi and moderately dense, PLG/CS 6.77 %, sqPDG 4.36. Dorsal head often bicolored: anterior head back to the antennal socket level dirty yellowish, remaining vertex dark dirty brown. Mesosoma usually dirty yellowish brown to dirty brown. Waist, gaster, and hind- and midfemora often blackish brown. This color pattern is typical but not consistent throughout the population.

Taxonomic comments and clustering results. The separation from C. sahlbergi and C. bulgarica has been presented in sections treating these species (p. 37, p. 38).

Biology. Unknown.

Figures

FIGURES 50–53. Cardiocondyla persiana, paratype; Fig. 50: head in dorsal view; Fig. 51: lateral view; Fig. 52: dorsal view; Fig. 53: head surface between inner eye margin and paramedian vertex. Iran: Shiraz-7 km NE, 1997.09.18