ABSTRACT Syllophopsis (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) is a taxonomically difficult and possibly polyphy... more ABSTRACT Syllophopsis (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) is a taxonomically difficult and possibly polyphyletic genus of tiny, inconspicuous ants. Syllophopsis subcoeca (Emery) was described in 1894 from St Thomas, US Virgin Islands. This remained the sole published record of S. subcoeca for more than 100 years. Here, we present new descriptions of the worker and queen castes, and document a greatly expanded known geographic distribution of S. subcoeca in both the New World and the Old World. We compiled published and unpublished S. subcoeca specimen records from 67 sites. These include 59 New World sites on 12 West Indian islands (Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Nevis, St Croix, St John, St. Kitts, St Lucia, Tortola and Trinidad) and in southern Florida. In addition, we report records of S. subcoeca from eight Old World sites, in Singapore and on two islands of the Northern Mariana Islands (Tinian and Saipan). Published records of Syllophopsis cf. subcoeca from Australia, Christmas Island and Sri Lanka are probably true S. subcoeca. All other Syllophopsis species appear to have originated in the Old World; therefore, the same is almost certainly true of S. subcoeca. It is likely that S. subcoeca was introduced to the West Indies and Florida through human commerce. Syllophopsis subcoeca appears to be a very recent arrival to Florida, where it is now known from nine sites in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. It remains to be seen whether S. subcoeca will become widespread in Florida. It seems unlikely that this S. subcoeca will become a significant ecological or agricultural pest.
In the first study of its kind, ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) were sampled near a unique natural... more In the first study of its kind, ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) were sampled near a unique natural environment, a large saline lake, Chott El Hodna, a Ramsar Conservation Wetland in eastern Algeria. The species of ants were determined at two sites, Medbah and Birkraa in spring (March-April) 2011 using pitfall trapping and hand collecting. We provide a checklist and some observations on 24 species belonging to 14 genera and four subfamilies (Dolichoderinae, Dorylinae, Formicinae and Myrmicinae). To evaluate the ant diversity, we used data from pitfall traps for calculating ecological indexes.
(Figure 11)Dhee Ain (Al-Mekhwa) 19.55459° N, 41.26302° E: March <i>–</i> May 2011. [F... more (Figure 11)Dhee Ain (Al-Mekhwa) 19.55459° N, 41.26302° E: March <i>–</i> May 2011. [First record in KSA].
Figure 2. Automontage images of male of Leptogenys polaszeki sp. n. A. Body in profile; B. Head i... more Figure 2. Automontage images of male of Leptogenys polaszeki sp. n. A. Body in profile; B. Head in frontal view; C. Body in dorsal view (CASENT0922262) (Photograph: Michele Esposito).
We present a revised and updated synoptic list of 44 Arabian Monomorium species, including two ne... more We present a revised and updated synoptic list of 44 Arabian Monomorium species, including two new species of the M. salomonis species-group: M. heggyi sp. n., and M. khalidi sp. n. We propose the following new synonyms: M. abeillei André (= M. wahibiense Collingwood & Agosti syn. n.); M. areniphilum Santschi (= M. fezzanense Collingwood & Agosti syn. n., = M. hemame Collingwood & Agosti syn. n. = M. marmule Collingwood & Agosti syn. n.); M. bicolor Emery (= M. phoenicum Santschi syn. n.); M. harithe Collingwood & Agosti (= M. najrane Collingwood & Agosti syn. n.); M. niloticum Emery (= M. matame Collingwood & Agosti syn. n.); and M. nitidiventre Emery (= M. yemene Collingwood & Agosti syn. n.). An illustrated key and distribution maps are presented for the treated species. Ecological and biological notes are given when available. The majority of Arabian Monomorium species (24) are endemic to the peninsula. All except one of the remaining species are more broadly ranging Afrotropical and Palearctic species, supporting the view of Arabia as a biogeographical crossroads between these two regions. Monomorium floricola (Jerdon), the sole species of Indomalayan origin, is recorded for the first time from the Arabian Peninsula.
Figure 4. Automontage images of Leptogenys polaszeki sp. n. and L. maxillosa: A. holotype worker ... more Figure 4. Automontage images of Leptogenys polaszeki sp. n. and L. maxillosa: A. holotype worker of L. polaszeki sp. n., head in frontal view, CASENT 0922261, B. L. maxillosa, Syntype worker, head in frontal view, CASENT0102266 (photographer: April Nobile), C. holotype worker of L. polaszeki sp. n., body in profile, CASENT 0922261, D. L. maxillosa, syntype worker, body in profile, CASENT0102266, E. holotype worker of L. polaszeki sp. n. body in dorsal view.
Figure 1. SEM image of worker of Leptogenys polaszeki sp. n. 1A. Head, mesosoma, and petiole in p... more Figure 1. SEM image of worker of Leptogenys polaszeki sp. n. 1A. Head, mesosoma, and petiole in profile; 1B. Head in frontal view; 1C. Petiole and gaster in profile.
The ant fauna of the State of Qatar is reviewed based on collected material and literature. In to... more The ant fauna of the State of Qatar is reviewed based on collected material and literature. In total, 23 species, belonging to 12 genera and four subfamilies, were reported from the country. Given that Messor arenarius diabolus Santschi, 1938 is endemic in Egypt, and it was recorded by mistake in Qatar, we excluded it from the country faunal list. Six genera are recorded for the first time from the country,
Abstract. We describe the new species Temnothorax almeqeri sp. nov. from the Asir Mountains, King... more Abstract. We describe the new species Temnothorax almeqeri sp. nov. from the Asir Mountains, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia based on the worker caste and present a revised key to the Arabian Temnothorax species. The new species is illustrated using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Temnothorax almeqeri sp. nov. closely resembles the African species, T. cinatus Bolton 1982 from Kenya, but can be distinguished by the following characters: promesonotum and mesosoma in profile meet in an elevated ridge; profile of propodeal spines sharp, long and curved; meosomal sculpture strong; body pilosity more abundant, finer and distinctly longer on mesosoma, petiole and postpetiole; body brown; mandibles, appendages, anterior ¼ portion of first gastral tergite and end of gaster uniform yellow.
In this study, we review the Arabian species of the ant genus Nesomyrmex Wheeler. We provide spec... more In this study, we review the Arabian species of the ant genus Nesomyrmex Wheeler. We provide species reviews for the two previously known species, N. angulatus (Mayr, 1862) and N. humerosus (Emery, 1896) and describe a new species N. zaheri sp. n. from Yemen based on the worker caste. An illustrated key to the Arabian species of the genus and montage photos of all three species are provided.
The present study shows an updated synoptic list of the 30 known Isoptera of the Arabian Peninsul... more The present study shows an updated synoptic list of the 30 known Isoptera of the Arabian Peninsula which are classified under four families and nine genera. Twenty-seven species are hitherto known from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The present inventory of the termites of Riyadh Province (KSA) indicated three species, Anacanthotermes ochraceous (Burmeister 1839), Psammotermes hypostoma Desneux, 1902 and a rare species, Coptotermes heimi (Wasmann 1902). We present an illustrated key to species based on the soldier caste. Anacanthotermes ochraceous, and P. hypostoma are widely distributed Palearctic species whereas C. heimi seems rare and is a new record for KSA. Distribution maps for the three species are provided based on recently collected material and literature records and remarks on species habitat preference are given.
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY
ABSTRACT Syllophopsis (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) is a taxonomically difficult and possibly polyphy... more ABSTRACT Syllophopsis (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) is a taxonomically difficult and possibly polyphyletic genus of tiny, inconspicuous ants. Syllophopsis subcoeca (Emery) was described in 1894 from St Thomas, US Virgin Islands. This remained the sole published record of S. subcoeca for more than 100 years. Here, we present new descriptions of the worker and queen castes, and document a greatly expanded known geographic distribution of S. subcoeca in both the New World and the Old World. We compiled published and unpublished S. subcoeca specimen records from 67 sites. These include 59 New World sites on 12 West Indian islands (Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Nevis, St Croix, St John, St. Kitts, St Lucia, Tortola and Trinidad) and in southern Florida. In addition, we report records of S. subcoeca from eight Old World sites, in Singapore and on two islands of the Northern Mariana Islands (Tinian and Saipan). Published records of Syllophopsis cf. subcoeca from Australia, Christmas Island and Sri Lanka are probably true S. subcoeca. All other Syllophopsis species appear to have originated in the Old World; therefore, the same is almost certainly true of S. subcoeca. It is likely that S. subcoeca was introduced to the West Indies and Florida through human commerce. Syllophopsis subcoeca appears to be a very recent arrival to Florida, where it is now known from nine sites in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. It remains to be seen whether S. subcoeca will become widespread in Florida. It seems unlikely that this S. subcoeca will become a significant ecological or agricultural pest.
In the first study of its kind, ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) were sampled near a unique natural... more In the first study of its kind, ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) were sampled near a unique natural environment, a large saline lake, Chott El Hodna, a Ramsar Conservation Wetland in eastern Algeria. The species of ants were determined at two sites, Medbah and Birkraa in spring (March-April) 2011 using pitfall trapping and hand collecting. We provide a checklist and some observations on 24 species belonging to 14 genera and four subfamilies (Dolichoderinae, Dorylinae, Formicinae and Myrmicinae). To evaluate the ant diversity, we used data from pitfall traps for calculating ecological indexes.
(Figure 11)Dhee Ain (Al-Mekhwa) 19.55459° N, 41.26302° E: March <i>–</i> May 2011. [F... more (Figure 11)Dhee Ain (Al-Mekhwa) 19.55459° N, 41.26302° E: March <i>–</i> May 2011. [First record in KSA].
Figure 2. Automontage images of male of Leptogenys polaszeki sp. n. A. Body in profile; B. Head i... more Figure 2. Automontage images of male of Leptogenys polaszeki sp. n. A. Body in profile; B. Head in frontal view; C. Body in dorsal view (CASENT0922262) (Photograph: Michele Esposito).
We present a revised and updated synoptic list of 44 Arabian Monomorium species, including two ne... more We present a revised and updated synoptic list of 44 Arabian Monomorium species, including two new species of the M. salomonis species-group: M. heggyi sp. n., and M. khalidi sp. n. We propose the following new synonyms: M. abeillei André (= M. wahibiense Collingwood & Agosti syn. n.); M. areniphilum Santschi (= M. fezzanense Collingwood & Agosti syn. n., = M. hemame Collingwood & Agosti syn. n. = M. marmule Collingwood & Agosti syn. n.); M. bicolor Emery (= M. phoenicum Santschi syn. n.); M. harithe Collingwood & Agosti (= M. najrane Collingwood & Agosti syn. n.); M. niloticum Emery (= M. matame Collingwood & Agosti syn. n.); and M. nitidiventre Emery (= M. yemene Collingwood & Agosti syn. n.). An illustrated key and distribution maps are presented for the treated species. Ecological and biological notes are given when available. The majority of Arabian Monomorium species (24) are endemic to the peninsula. All except one of the remaining species are more broadly ranging Afrotropical and Palearctic species, supporting the view of Arabia as a biogeographical crossroads between these two regions. Monomorium floricola (Jerdon), the sole species of Indomalayan origin, is recorded for the first time from the Arabian Peninsula.
Figure 4. Automontage images of Leptogenys polaszeki sp. n. and L. maxillosa: A. holotype worker ... more Figure 4. Automontage images of Leptogenys polaszeki sp. n. and L. maxillosa: A. holotype worker of L. polaszeki sp. n., head in frontal view, CASENT 0922261, B. L. maxillosa, Syntype worker, head in frontal view, CASENT0102266 (photographer: April Nobile), C. holotype worker of L. polaszeki sp. n., body in profile, CASENT 0922261, D. L. maxillosa, syntype worker, body in profile, CASENT0102266, E. holotype worker of L. polaszeki sp. n. body in dorsal view.
Figure 1. SEM image of worker of Leptogenys polaszeki sp. n. 1A. Head, mesosoma, and petiole in p... more Figure 1. SEM image of worker of Leptogenys polaszeki sp. n. 1A. Head, mesosoma, and petiole in profile; 1B. Head in frontal view; 1C. Petiole and gaster in profile.
The ant fauna of the State of Qatar is reviewed based on collected material and literature. In to... more The ant fauna of the State of Qatar is reviewed based on collected material and literature. In total, 23 species, belonging to 12 genera and four subfamilies, were reported from the country. Given that Messor arenarius diabolus Santschi, 1938 is endemic in Egypt, and it was recorded by mistake in Qatar, we excluded it from the country faunal list. Six genera are recorded for the first time from the country,
Abstract. We describe the new species Temnothorax almeqeri sp. nov. from the Asir Mountains, King... more Abstract. We describe the new species Temnothorax almeqeri sp. nov. from the Asir Mountains, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia based on the worker caste and present a revised key to the Arabian Temnothorax species. The new species is illustrated using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Temnothorax almeqeri sp. nov. closely resembles the African species, T. cinatus Bolton 1982 from Kenya, but can be distinguished by the following characters: promesonotum and mesosoma in profile meet in an elevated ridge; profile of propodeal spines sharp, long and curved; meosomal sculpture strong; body pilosity more abundant, finer and distinctly longer on mesosoma, petiole and postpetiole; body brown; mandibles, appendages, anterior ¼ portion of first gastral tergite and end of gaster uniform yellow.
In this study, we review the Arabian species of the ant genus Nesomyrmex Wheeler. We provide spec... more In this study, we review the Arabian species of the ant genus Nesomyrmex Wheeler. We provide species reviews for the two previously known species, N. angulatus (Mayr, 1862) and N. humerosus (Emery, 1896) and describe a new species N. zaheri sp. n. from Yemen based on the worker caste. An illustrated key to the Arabian species of the genus and montage photos of all three species are provided.
The present study shows an updated synoptic list of the 30 known Isoptera of the Arabian Peninsul... more The present study shows an updated synoptic list of the 30 known Isoptera of the Arabian Peninsula which are classified under four families and nine genera. Twenty-seven species are hitherto known from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The present inventory of the termites of Riyadh Province (KSA) indicated three species, Anacanthotermes ochraceous (Burmeister 1839), Psammotermes hypostoma Desneux, 1902 and a rare species, Coptotermes heimi (Wasmann 1902). We present an illustrated key to species based on the soldier caste. Anacanthotermes ochraceous, and P. hypostoma are widely distributed Palearctic species whereas C. heimi seems rare and is a new record for KSA. Distribution maps for the three species are provided based on recently collected material and literature records and remarks on species habitat preference are given.
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY
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