Cardiocondyla gallilaeica 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 : 35-36

Cardiocondyla gallilaeica Seifert 2003 [type investigated]

This species has been described on a single worker from Israel. Investigated was the holotype worker labelled “ ISRAEL Sedé Eliyyahu 6.ix.1983 Argaman”, SMN Görlitz .

All material examined. Numeric phenotypical data were taken in the holotype worker. For details see supplementary information SI1, SI2.

Geographic range. Only known from the type locality (32.440 °N, 35.510 °E, minus 191 m).

Diagnosis: --Worker ( Tab. 2 , Figs. 34–37 , key). Small, CS 480 µm. Head rather short, CL/CW 1.131. Postocular distance very small, PoOc/CL 0.403. Scape moderately long, SL/CS 0.807. Eye rather large, EYE/CS 0.254. Hind margin of vertex in dorsal view notably excavated. Frons narrower than in any species of the C. ulianini group (FRS/ CS 0.225), frontal carinae slightly converging immediately caudal of FRS level (FL/FR 1.041). Frontal carinae immediately caudal of the FRS level almost parallel, FL/FR 1.000. Dorsal profile of promesonotum and of propodeum convex with a well-developed metanotal depression (MGr/CS 3.75 %). Pronotal corners more pronounced than in ulianini . Propodeal spines short but sharp (SP/CS 0.071), their axis in profile deviating by about 53° from longitudinal axis of mesosoma, their bases much approached (SPBA/CS 0.230). Petiole very narrow and distinctly higher than wide (PeW/CS 0.275, PeH/CS 0.308), its node in dorsal aspect as long as wide; in lateral aspect its frontodorsal profile slightly concave and moderately steep (about 52° relative to ventral profile). Postpetiole rather wide and high, only slightly lower than petiole (PpW/CS 0.552, PpH/CS 0.298), in dorsal view with a slightly concave anterior margin; postpetiolar sternite with a shallow anteromedian bulge. Clypeus between the level of the paramedian 1st order setae glabrous, its anteromedian margin straight or weakly concave. Frontal laminae almost smooth and shining, with only weak fragments of microcarinulae. Vertex completely without carinulae or microrugae, in overall impression shiny and with smaller, less clearly demarcated foveolae the diameter of which is clearly smaller than the width of the brilliantly shining interspaces (dFOV 14.0); weak rugulae are restricted to genae. Dorsal mesosoma in overall impression smooth and shiny; dorsal promesonotum with scattered and shallow foveolae of 10–12 µm diameter; dorsal propodeum with fragments of very fine microrugae. Caudolateral pronotum, lateral mesonotum, mesopleuron, metapleuron, and propodeum below spiracular level rather shiny but microreticulate. Waist segments almost smooth and shining. First gaster tergite glabrous. Pubescence on whole body moderately long and dilute, PLG/CS 6.24 %, sqPDG 4.66. Color of head, mesosoma, and gaster pale yellowish brown to dark brown.

Taxonomic comments and clustering results. Cardiocondyla gallilaeica is unmistakable as a combination of very small frontal carinae distance, small postocular index, more concave hind margin of head, and very short but acute spines.

Biology. Unknown.

Figures

FIGURES 34–37. Cardiocondyla gallilaeica, holotype; Fig. 34: head in dorsal view; Fig. 35: lateral view (flipped horizontally); Fig. 36: dorsal view; Fig. 37: head surface between inner eye margin and paramedian vertex. Israel: Sedé Eliyyahu, 1983.09.06