What is Tetramoriumsemilaeve André, 1883? (Hymenoptera, Formicidae).

Tetramoriumsemilaeve André, 1883 is redescribed based on the type series and new material from terra typica (Pyrénées-Orientales). Lectotype worker is designated. Detailed descriptions of gyne and male are given. A review of material from the Mediterranean area suggests that in the past the name Tetramoriumsemilaeve has been applied to more than one species and the true Tetramoriumsemilaeve is common only in the western part of the Mediterranean basin. The structure of the male genitalia is the most reliable set of characters allowing a proper distinction of species in Tetramoriumsemilaeve species group. All names attributed to the former name "semilaeve" are discussed.

Introduction

The genus Mayr, 1855 with 560 valid species and 21 valid subspecies is one of the most speciose ant genera of the subfamily (Bolton in AntCat 2015). It is a genus with worldwide distribution in which the highest number of species has been recorded in the Afrotropical Region. 55 species (including 5 tramp, subcosmopolitan species) have been recorded so far from Europe and the Mediterranean basin (Borowiec 2014). Several of the names are poorly known, have not been revised PageBreaksince the original description, and are considered to be incertae sedis. Only and groups have been recently revised and six other species have been lately redescribed in detail (Csösz and Markó 2004, Güsten et al. 2006, Csösz et al. 2007, 2014, Csösz and Schulz 2010, Steiner et al. 2010, Borowiec and Salata 2014, Espadaler and Goméz 2014) and molecular data suggests that some widely distributed species represent groups of cryptic taxa (Schlick-Steiner et al. 2006).

André, 1883 was originally decribed as a variety of . No types were designated in the original description and André (1883) only noted that “Cette variété qui parait méridionale est répandue dans toute la region méditerranéenne de l’Europe, de l’Afrique et d’Asie” [This apparently southern variety is distributed throughout the entire region of the Mediterranean Europe, Africa, and Asia]. Emery (1891) was the first who note that André described this species based on material from Banyuls in Pyrénées Orientales (ex coll. Saulcy). Dalla Torre (1893), in his catalogue of , treated this taxon as a good species and noted its distribution in southern Europe and northern Africa. Subsequently Forel (1902), based on material from Algeria, again reduced to a race of . However, it is uncertain whether the specimens he mentions in this work were conspecific with sensu André. Emery (1909) also considered as a variety of and noted that its range cover an area of the whole Mediterranean basin and Central Asia. Eventually, Bondroit (1918) restored a species rank and on the basis of material from André collection confirmed that type material came from Pyrénées-Orientales. The majority of subsequent authors accepted Bondroit’s proposition and the species has begun to be seen as a one of the most common member of the genus in the Mediterranean basin. Most of the populations of characterized by pale colour and incomplete head sculpture were treated as a different variants of this species with the result that more than twenty names are attributed to the taxon “” sensu lato (see discussion).

Sanetra et al. (1999) based on electrophoretic studies were the first to suggest that the western and eastern populations of “” complex represent two distinct taxa. Our morphological studies, especially the examination of male genitalia in samples from throughout the Mediterranean region, show that more than two species with characters so far attributed to occur in this area. The access to the type specimens from André collection and the results of our study on the fresh material enabled us to answer questions regarding the real distribution of this species and determine characters distinguishing it from other taxa. In this work we designate the lectotype for and prepare detailed redescription of all castes based on types and recently collected material from the terra typica (Pyrénées-Orientales).

Material and methods

Specimens were compared using standard methods of comparative morphology. Photos were taken using a Nikon SMZ 1500 stereomicroscope, Nikon D5200 photo camera and Helicon Focus software.

All given label data are in their original spelling; a vertical bar (|) separates data on different rows and double vertical bar (||) separates labels.

Our scheme of description corresponds with the revisions of and groups (Csösz et al. 2007, Csösz and Schulz 2010: see Figs 1–4 on p. 4).

Abbreviation of the depositories:

CG

coll. Christophe Galkowski, Saint-Aubin-de-Médoc, France;

DBET

Department of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Taxonomy, University of Wrocław, Poland;

MNHN

Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France.

Measurements and indices:

CL

length of head in full-face view, measured in a straight line from the anteriormost point of median clypeal margin to the mid-point of the posterior margin of the head. Concavity of posterior margin reduces CL;

CW

maximum width of head in full-face view, including compound eyes;

CS

cephalic size; calculated from the arithmetic mean of CL and CW. It is used as a less variable indicator of body size. For simplicity CS is used to describe body size;

EH

the minimum diameter of the compound eye;

EL

the maximum diameter of the compound eye;

EYE

eye size index, calculated from the arithmetic mean of EL and EH, divided by CS;

OMD

oculo-malar space. The minimal distance between anterior (lower) margin of the compound eye and the mandibular junction in profile;

FL

the maximum distance between external borders of the frontal lobes;

FR

the minimum width of the frons between the frontal carinae;

ML

the diagonal length of mesosoma measured in lateral view from the anteriormost point of the pronotal slope to the posterior (or postero-ventral) margin of the propodeal lobes;

MW

the maximum width of the pronotum from above;

NOH

the maximum height of the petiolar node;

NOL

the length of the petiolar node;

PEH

the maximum height of the petiole in lateral view;

PEL

the distance between the posteriormost point of the petiole and the petiolar spiracle;

PEW

the maximum width of the petiole in dorsal view;

POC

postocular distance. Measured from the reference line fitted on the posterior margin of compound eyes to median posterior margin of the head;

PPH

the maximum height of the postpetiole in lateral view;

PPL

the maximum length of the postpetiole in lateral view;

PPW

the maximum width of the postpetiole in dorsal view;

SL

the maximum length of the scape, measured from the proximal point of scape lobe to the distal end of scape;

SPL

the minimum distance between the center of propodeal spiracle and the propodeal declivity;

SPSP

the maximum length of propodeal teeth, measured in lateral view from the tip of spine to the propodeal spiracle;

WAIST

(gyne only), waist index, calculated as (PEW+PPW)/CS.

Descriptions

André, 1883

André, 1883: 286 (terra typica: “toute la region méditerranéenne de l’Europe, de l’Afrique et d’Asie”).

:

:

:

Type material examined.

Lectotype worker (here designated, no. ANTWEB1008880): Pyrénées | Orientales || Type || TYPE || MUSEUM PARIS | COLLECTION | ERNEST ANDRÉ | 1914 (MNHN); two paralectotype workers: Pyrénées-Orientales | (de Saulcy ||TYPE || Tetr. caespitum | race semilaeve || MUSEUM PARIS | COLLECTION | ERNEST ANDRÉ | 1914 (MNHN); three paralectotype workers: Pyr. | orient. | (d. Saulcy) || TYPE II T. | semilaeve || MUSEUM PARIS | COLLECTION | ERNEST ANDRÉ | 1914 (MNHN).

Other material examined.

Pinned material. 4 gynes, 6 workers: FRANCE, Pyrénées Orientales | Banyuls, Route du col, 196 m | 42.467 N / 3.141 E | 12 VI 2010, C. Galkowski || Collection L. Borowiec | | LBC-FR00043 (DBET); 3 workers, 4 males: FRANCE, Pyrénées Orientales | Banyuls, Col de Séris, 290 m | 42.452 N / 3.141 E | 12 VI 2010, C. Galkowski || Collection L. Borowiec | | LBC-FR00040 (DBET); 2 gynes, 3 workers, 3 males: FRANCE, Pyrénées Orientales | Banyuls, Col de Séris, 290 m | 42.452 N / 3.141 E | 12 VI 2010, C. Galkowski || Collection L. Borowiec | | LBC-FR00041 (DBET); 4 gynes, 2 workers: FRANCE, Pyrénées Orientales | Banyuls, Col de Séris, 290 m | 42.452 N / 3.141 E | 12 VI 2010, C. Galkowski || Collection L. Borowiec | | LBC-FR00042 (DBET); 1 worker: [FRANCE, Pyrénées Orientales ] Banyuls | Berland || MUSEUM PARIS | BANYULS-S-MER | PYRÉNÉES-ORIENTALES | L. BERLAND 1925 (MNHN); 3 gynes, 9 workers, 1 male: [FRANCE, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur] PageBreakPlan de Tour | 25.6.83 || F. BERNARD || MUSEUM PARIS (MNHN); 1 gyne: [FRANCE] CORSE – près Corte | Vallee moyenne du | Tavignano 11.VI.1976 I Rec. CASEVITZ-WEULERSSE II pris s/pierre I ecles au labo. | 17.VI.1976 || Museum Paris (MNHN).

Alcohol material. 10 workers: FRANCE, Pyrénées Orientales, Banyuls, Col de Séris, 42.452 N / 3.141 E, 12 VI 2010, leg. C. Galkowski (CG); 8 gynes, 6 workers: FRANCE, Pyrénées Orientales, Banyuls, Col de Séris no. 2, 42.452 N / 3.141 E, 12 VI 2010, leg. C. Galkowski (CG); 18 workers: FRANCE, Pyrénées Orientales, Banyuls, Col de Séris no. 3, 42.452 N / 3.141 E, 12 VI 2010, leg. C. Galkowski (CG);19 workers: FRANCE, Pyrénées Orientales, Banyuls, Cap Béar, 42.515 N / 3.132 E, 12 VI 2010, leg. C. Galkowski (CG); 27 workers: FRANCE, Pyrénées Orientales, Banyuls, Route du col, 42.467 N / 3.142 E, 12 VI 2010, leg. C. Galkowski (CG); 20 workers: FRANCE, Pyrénées Orientales, Banyuls, Paulilles, 42.501 N / 3.126 E, 12 VI 2010, leg. C. Galkowski (CG); 17 workers: FRANCE, Pyrénées Orientales, Banyuls, Bartissol, 42.481 N / 3.124 E, 12 VI 2010, leg. C. Galkowski (CG); 7 workers: FRANCE, Corsica, Bastia, 42.655 N / 9.449 E, IV 2011 (CG); 7 workers: FRANCE, Corsica, Piana, 42.231 N / 8.552 E, 23 VII 2011 (CG); 2 workers: SPAIN, Baleares, Mallorca, Cala D’Or, 14 m, 39,36666 N / 3,21666 E, 7 V 2009, leg. L. Borowiec (DBET); 2 workers: SPAIN, Baleares, Mallorca, Cala Egos, 11 m, 39,35 N / 3,21666 E, 7 V 2009, leg. L. Borowiec (DBET); 21 workers: SPAIN, Baleares, Mallorca, Cap de ses Salines from Punta de Mila to Punta Galera, 5 m, 39,26666 N / 3,03333 E, 9 V 2009, leg. L. Borowiec (DBET); 5 workers: SPAIN, Baleares, Mallorca, Parc Natural Mondrago n. Cala Egos, 12 m, 39,35 N / 3,18333 E, 11 V 2009, leg. L. Borowiec (DBET); 1 gyne, 7 workers, 4 males: SPAIN, Baleares, Mallorca, Cap de ses Salines from Punta de Mila to Punta de sa Cresta, 8 m, 39,26666 N / 3,06666 E, 12 V 2009, leg. L. Borowiec (DBET); 6 workers: SPAIN, Baleares, Mallorca, Ermita de Betlem n. Arta, 378 m, 39,71666 N / 3,31666 E, 12 V 2009, leg. L. Borowiec (DBET); 4 workers: SPAIN, Baleares, Mallorca, Colonia Sant Jordi, 4 m, 39,31666 N / 2,98333 E, 15 V 2009, leg. L. Borowiec (DBET); 4 workers: Spain, Andalucia, Malaga Pr., road Ojén-Refugio de Juanar, 544 m, 36,59358 N / 4,85621 W, 6 V 2014, leg. L. Borowiec (DBET); 5 workers: SPAIN, Andalucia, Malaga Pr., Igualeja, 720 m, 36,63259 N / 5,1179 W, 7 V 2014, leg. L. Borowiec (DBET); 4 workers: SPAIN, Andalucia, Malaga Pr., road Marbella-Istán, 145 m, 36,53324 N / 4,94905 W, 11 V 2014, leg. L. Borowiec; 50 workers: SPAIN, Andalucia, Cádiz Pr., nr. Getares, 36,06698 N / 5,44166 W, 8 V 2014, 21 m, leg. L. Borowiec (DBET); 5 workers: SPAIN, Andalucia, Cádiz Pr., road Tarifa-El Bujeo, 262 m, 36,05206 N / 5,55 W, 9 V 2014, leg. L. Borowiec (DBET); 10 workers: SPAIN, Andalucia, Cádiz Pr., Venta de Ojén, 248 m, 36,15910 N / 5,58684 W, 9 V 2014, leg. L. Borowiec (DBET); 20 workers: SPAIN, Catalonia, Alt Empordà, Cap de Creus n. Cadaques, 203 m 42°18N/3°13W, 2 IX 2011, leg. L. Borowiec (DBET); SPAIN, Catalonia, Alt Empordà, n. Llançà, 79 m, 42°21N/3°06W, 2 IX 2011, leg. L. Borowiec (DBET); 10 workers: ITALY, N Calabria, Scalea city-castle hill, 49 m, 39,81859 N/15,78963 E, 25 VIII 2014, leg. L. Borowiec (DBET); 5 workers: ITALY, N Calabria, n. Grisolia PageBreakloc. 2, 484 m, 39,71887 N/15,88376 E, 2 IX 2014, leg. L. Borowiec (DBET); 4 workers: ITALY, N Calabria, n. Papasidero loc. 1, 162 m, 39,87390 N/15,90534 E, 5 IX 2014, leg. L. Borowiec; (DBET) 5 workers: ITALY, N Calabria, n. Tortora, 388 m, 39,94668 N/15,80452 E, 6 IX 2014, leg. L. Borowiec (DBET).

Redescription.

Worker (Figs 1–3, 5–9). Measurements and indices (n=15): CL: 0.723 ± 0.034 (0.637-0.771); POC: 0.293 ± 0.021 (0.246-.324); CW: 0.693 ± 0.037 (0.606-0.749); FR: 0.253 ± 0.015 (0.234-0.279); FL: 0.262 ± 0.017 (0.235-0.291); SL: 0.534 ± 0.03 (0.503-0.626); OMD: 0.18 ± 0.021 (0.145-0.223); EL: 0.13 ± 0.01 (0.106-0.145); EH: 0.091 ± 0.006 (0.078-0.101); ML: 0.781 ± 0.043 (0.737-0.894); SPSP: 0.133 ± 0.015 (0.112-0.179); SPL: 0.099 ± 0.007 (0.089-0.112); PEL: 0.184 ± 0.01 (0.167-0.201); NOL: 0.144 ± 0.013 (0.128-0.168); PPL: 0.176 ± 0.009 (0.156-0.19); PEH: 0.239 ± 0.018 (0.212-0.291); NOH: 0.158 ± 0.017 (0.14-0.218); PPH: 0.228 ± 0.02 (0.201-0.291); MW: 0.45 ± 0.027 (0.413-0.508); PEW: 0.22 ± 0.014 (0.201-0.246); PPW: 0.256 ± 0.018 (0.223-0.307); CS: 0.707 ± 0.036 (0.622-0.76); EYE: 0.155 ± 0.007 (0.143-0.166); CL/CW: 1.042 ± 0.013 (1.015-1.075); FR/CS: 0.358 ± 0.01 (0.345-0.378); FL/FR: 1.025 ± 0.02 (0.996-1.066); SL/CS: 0.756 ± 0.03 (0.732-0.841); MW/CS: 0.636 ± 0.018 (0.612-0.682); PEW/PPW: 0.861 ± 0.033 (0.801-0.918); NOH/NOL: 1.1 ± 0.113 (0.929-1.298); NOH/PEL: 0.86 ± 0.085 (0.819-1.085); NOL/PEL: 0.784 ± 0.045 (0.705-0.871); PEH/NOL: 1.66 ± 0.152 (1.399-1.922); PEW/PEH: 0.926 ± 0.049 (0.805-1.0); CS/PEW: 3.215 ± 0.089 (3.026-3.336); CS/PPW: 2.769 ± 0.154 (2.425-3.024); CW/MW: 1.541 ± 0.046 (1.435-1.602);

Figures 1–2.

André, lectotype 1 dorsal 2 lateral. Scale bar = 1 mm.

Figures 3–4.

André, lectotype 3 head 4 labels. Scale bar = 1 mm (3).

Figures 5–6.

André, worker 5 dorsal 6 lateral. Scale bar = 1 mm.

Figures 7–9.

André, worker 7 head and antennae 8 sculpture of head of the most common morphotype 9 sculpture of head of the most sculptured morphotype. Scale bar = 1 mm.

Small to medium size, CS: 0.707 [0.622-0.76]. In most specimens whole body pale yellowish-brown and appendages yellow, the palest specimens completely yellow, the darkest specimens yellowish-brown but never dark brown or black. Head nearly square CL/CW: 1.042 [1.015-1.075], with almost parallel sides, straight or slightly concave occipital margin and narrowly rounded occipital corners. Eyes small, EYE 0.155 [0.143-0.166]. Frons moderately wide, FR/CS 0.358 [0.345-0.378], frontal lobes as wide as frons, FL/FR: 1.025 [0.996-1.066]. Scape short, SL/CS 0.756 [0.732-0.841], without dorsal carina basally, surface smooth and shiny. Promesonotal dorsum slightly convex, metanotal groove shallow, but distinct. Propodeal teeth short, spiniform, apex of spine located approximately at 2/3 height of mesosoma. Dorsal surface of petiole flat to slightly convex, NOH/NOL 1.1 [0.929-1.298], petiole relatively high, PEH/NOL 1.66 [1.399-1.922], postpetiole distinctly transverse (Figs 1, 5). General appearance finely rugose, ground surface shiny. Head dorsum partly longitudinally rugose and shiny between rugae, rugae extend occipital margin of head, occiput mostly smooth and shiny, sides in anterior half longitudinally rugose and shiny between rugae. In most specimens between frontal rugose area and rugosities along ocular area on each side runs longitudinal band without rugosities (Fig. 8) but smooth area never exceeds 1/5 of the anterior surface of head; in extremely sculptured specimens almost whole frontal surface of head with long rugae with very small smooth patch between interrupted rugae and occiput with fine rugosities (Fig. 9), dark coloured specimens usually have more distinct sculpture than pale coloured specimens but strongly sculptured and completely PageBreakyellow specimens were also observed. Alitrunk dorsum rugose and microreticulate but never reticulate, only occasionally rugae on pronotum partly interrupted with indistinct microreticulation but pronotum never with smooth and shiny areas (Figs 1, 5). Sides of pronotum and meso- and metapleuron usually coarsely microreticulate, sometimes reticulation tends to form transverse lines but surface never appears striate or rugose (Figs 2, 6). Dorsum of petiolar node smooth and shiny with sides carinate, lateral surface microreticulate. Dorsum of postpetiole smooth and shiny, sides microreticulate. First gastral tergite smooth and shiny. Whole dorsum, including head, covered with sparse setae, the longest on pronotum and the shortest on frons. Ventral surface of head with sparse short and 2-3 moderately long setae not forming a psammophore.

Gyne (Figs 10–13). Measurements and indices (n=11): CL: 0.999 ± 0.015 (0.983-1.027); POC: 0.378 ± 0.019 (0.34-.413); CW: 1.09 ± 0.05 (0.978-1.161); FR: 0.397 ± 0.009 (0.38-0.412); FL: 0.385 ± 0.018 (0.357-0.413); SL: 0.715 ± 0.015 (0.693-0.737); OMD: 0.223 ± 0.016 (0.212-0.257); EL: 0.274 ± 0.01 (0.257-0.291); EH: PageBreak0.218 ± 0.012 (0.193-0.235); ML: 1.699 ± 0.217 (1.053-1.813); SPSP: 0.267 ± 0.015 (0.24-0.291); SPL: 0.193 ± 0.01 (0.173-0.201); PEL: 0.298 ± 0.014 (0.279-0.324); NOL: 0.225 ± 0.022 (0.179-0.256); PPL: 0.301 ± 0.01 (0.285-0.313); PEH: 0.424 PageBreak± 0.011 (0.408-0.447); NOH: 0.283 ± 0.019 (0.257-0.313); PPH: 0.423 ± 0.017 (0.391-0.447); MW: 1.069 ± 0.04 (1.0-1.141); PEW: 0.393 ± 0.022 (0.348-0.419); PPW: 0.509 ± 0.019 (0.48-0.547); CS: 1.046 ± 0.032 (0.986-1.094); EYE: 0.235 ± 0.012 (0.219-0.251); CL/CW: 0.917 ± 0.038 (0.882-0.985); FR/CS: 0.377 ± 0.011 PageBreak(0.36-0.393); FL/FR: 0.978 ± 0.035 (0.913-1.027); SL/CS: 0.686 ± 0.019 (0.654-0.717); MW/CS: 1.024 ± 0.043 (0.94-1.088); PEW/PPW: 0.773 ± 0.035 (0.692-0.821); NOH/NOL: 1.266 ± 0.136 (1.094-1.587); NOH/PEL: 0.949 ± 0.053 (0.883-1.036); NOL/PEL: 0.755 ± 0.059 (0.63-0.847); PEH/NOL: 1.9 ± 0.175 (1.746-2.374); PEW/PEH: 0.931 ± 0.048 (0.818-0.971); CS/PEW: 2.62 ± 0.123 (2.475-2.879); CS/PPW: 2.052 ± 0.085 (1.947-2.185); CW/MW: 1.02 ± 0.057 (0.911-1.129); WAIST: 0.871 ± 0.035 (0.817-0.918).

Figures 10–11.

André, gyne 10 dorsal 11 lateral. Scale bar = 1 mm.

Figure 12–13.

André, gyne 12 head 13 mesosoma dorsal. Scale bar = 1 mm.

Moderate size, CS 1.046 [0.986-1.094]. Whole body brown, appendages yellowish. Head wider than long, CL/CW 0.917 [0.882-0.985], with straight subparallel sides, shallowly emarginate occipital margin and narrowly rounded occipital corners. Frons moderately wide, FR/CS 0.377 [0.36-0.393], frontal lobes as wide as frons, FL/FR 0.978 [0.913-1.027]. Scape short, SL/CS 0.686 [0.654-0.717], without dorsal carina basally, smooth and shiny. Head as wide as scutum, MW/CS 1.024 [0.94-1.088]. Propodeal teeth very short. Dorsal crest of petiolar node in frontal view straight. Petiolar node dorsum steeply rounded backward. Petiole and postpetiole relatively narPageBreakrow, WAIST 0.871 [0.817-0.918]. General appearance smooth and shiny. Head dorsum, occiput and sides rugulose, ground surface shiny or indistinctly microreticulate. Frons longitudinally rugulose (Fig. 12). Mesosoma flat, pronotum visible from above. PageBreakScutum and scutellum punctate along sides, in most specimens smooth and shiny (Fig. 13), only occasionally scutellum in corners with very short rugae and scutum in basal part with thin longitudinal rugae never extending to half length of scutum. Sides of pronotum ruguloso-reticulate and feebly microreticulate, anepisternum mostly smooth and shiny only in dorsal part with fine longitudinal rugae, katepisternum smooth and shiny. Dorsum of petiolar node distinctly reticulate and smooth, posterior surface granulate and more or less transversely rugose. Postpetiole distinctly transverse, sides narrowly rounded to subangulate (Fig. 10), dorsum of postpetiole smooth, sides granulate. First gastral tergite smooth and shiny. Whole dorsum, including head, covered with short, sparse setae. Ventral surface of head with several short setae, as long as to 1.5 times longer than frontal setae, arising posteriorly to buccal cavity.

Male (Figs 14–19). Measurements and indices (n=10): CL: 0.667 ± 0.018 (0.637-0.693); POC: 0.279 ± 0.019 (0.263-.313); CW: 0.807 ± 0.024 (0.771-0.827); FR: 0.238 ± 0.012 (0.221-0.257); FL: 0.292 ± 0.013 (0.277-0.307); SL: 0.333 ± 0.016 (0.307-0.358); OMD: 0.068 ± 0.016 (0.056-0.089); EL: 0.312 ± 0.01 (0.302-0.324); EH: 0.251 ± 0.011 (0.235-0.263); ML: 1.716 ± 0.069 (1.626-1.785); SPSP: 0.226 ± 0.014 (0.212-0.246); SPL: 0.205 ± 0.013 (0.184-0.223); PEL: 0.275 ± 0.017 (0.257-0.302); NOL: 0.176 ± 0.018 (0.156-0.201); PPL: 0.287 ± 0.017 (0.263-0.302); PEH: 0.286 ± 0.022 (0.257-0.313); NOH: 0.163 ± 0.01 (0.156-0.179); PPH: 0.418 ± 0.015 (0.391-0.425); MW: 1.125 ± 0.056 (1.056-1.223); PEW: 0.337 ± 0.023 (0.307-0.368); PPW: 0.478 ± 0.022 (0.453-0.503); CS: 0.737 ± 0.019 (0.704-0.755); EYE: 0.382 ± 0.009 (0.37-0.395); CL/CW: 0.826 ± 0.023 (0.797-0.857); FR/CS: 0.323 ± 0.012 (0.314-0.345); FL/FR: 1.228 ± 0.06 (1.132-1.306); SL/CS: 0.452 ± 0.015 (0.436-0.478); MW/CS: 1.528 ± 0.093 (1.411-1.684); PEW/PPW: 0.705 ± 0.04 (0.668-0.767); NOH/NOL: 0.928 ± 0.076 (0.812-1.0); NOH/PEL: 0.595 ± 0.059 (0.517-0.668); NOL/PEL: 0.643 ± 0.069 (0.559-0.75); PEH/NOL: 1.625 ± 0.114 (1.502-1.788); PEW/PEH: 1.182 ± 0.061 (1.1-1.284); CS/PEW: 2.216 ± 0.165 (2.019-2.438); CS/PPW: 1.558 ± 0.085 (1.443-1.652); CW/MW: 0.719 ± 0.045 (0.639-0.783)

Figure 14–15.

André, male 14 lateral 15 dorsal. Scale bar = 1 mm.

Figure 16–19.

André, male genitalia 16 dorsal 17 ventral 18 lateral 19 apex of paramere in dorsal view. Scale bar = 0.5 mm (16–18); 0.3 mm (19).

Whole body dark brown, appendages yellowish. Head with feebly convex sides, slightly rounded occipital margin and widely rounded occipital corners. Scutum distinctly wider than head. Propodeum rounded in profile or with only indistinct angulation in position of propodeal teeth. Dorsal crest of petiolar node with obtuse transversal edge, slightly emarginated in frontal view. Head distinctly granulate, dull, scutum in anterior part and laterally smooth and shiny, rest microreticulate. Scutellum ostly smooth and shiny, at corners microreticulate and in anterior part with thin transverse rugosities. Sides of alitrunk smooth and shiny. Dorsum of petiolar node microgranulate and microreticulate, dull, postpetiole mostly microreticulate only top partly smooth and shiny. First gastral tergite smooth and shiny. Male genitalia stout (Figs 16–18), in lateral view only slightly constricted before apex with obtuse inner angle, top shortly and sparsely pubescent, ventral and dorsal margins of parameres shallowly incised, top of inner margin of paramere before apical denticle straight with dentiform plate distinctly clearly extending beyond the sharp edge of paramere (Fig. 19, arrow indices this plate).

Diagnosis.

belongs to the group of Mediterranean species with workers pale-coloured, from yellow to yellowish-brown but never dark brown or black, head sculpture partly reduced, at least with postocular area and sides of frons without distinct striation but with at least half of the surface of the anterior part of head striate, striae on top of head not diverging laterally, pronotum mostly striate, sides of mesosoma only microreticulate and microgranulate without carinae, short propodeal spines, petiole and postpetiole dorsally with polished area, and first abPageBreakdominal tergite smooth and shiny, without microreticulation or striation; gyne with flat mesonotal plate, without a distinct striation or the striation is indistinct, short not extending behind half length of the plate, scutellum without striation or only on sides with short, indistinct striae, postpetiole not enlarged; male genitalia stout, in lateral view only slightly constricted before apex, ventral and dorsal margins of parameres shallowly incised, top of inner margin of paramere before apical denticle straight with dentiform plate distinctly clearly extending beyond the sharp edge of paramere (Fig. 19, arrow indices this plate). The presence of dentiform plate on top of the inner margin of paramere is the best character distinguishing from all other species related to this taxon.

Biological data.

prefers very warm and dry places. Most observed nests were located in the littoral zone on the flat, sandy areas covered with sparse vegetation or on stony pastures. The locality with the highest altitude in the examined material here is from Andalucia, Igualeja placed 720 m a.s.l. Sanetra et al. (1999) noted that in Italy most samples were collected below 1000 m a.s.l. and only occasionally above this altitude. All nests were located under stones, from small to very large size, and consisted of from several to several hundred workers. Because gynes were rarely collected, Sanetra et al. (1999) suggested that this species is monogynous but we observed more than one gyne in one nest in five cases. The following ant species were recorded in the same areas as :

France, Banyuls, Col de Séris:

France, Banyuls, Cap Béar:

France, Banyuls, Route du col:

France, Banyuls, Paulilles:

France, Corsica, Bastia:

France, Corsica, Piana:

Mallorca, Cap de ses Salines from Punta de Mila to Punta de sa Cresta:

Mallorca, Cap de ses Salines from Punta de Mila to Punta Galera:

Mallorca, Cala D’Or:

Mallorca, Parc Natural Mondrago:

Mallorca, Ermita de Betlem n. Arta:

Mallorca, Colonia Sant Jordi:

Andalucia, road Ojén-Refugio de Juanar:

Andalucia, road Marbella-Istán:

Andalucia, nr. Getares:

Andalucia, road Tarifa-El Bujeo:

Andalucia, Venta de Ojén:

Calabria, Scalea city-castle hill:

Calabria, n. Grisolia loc. 2:

Calabria, n. Papasidero loc. 1:

Calabria, n. Tortora:

André, revised localities.

Discussion

Numerous names of various taxonomic rank have been attributed to the taxon “”. Below we listed all these names with comments (tt = terra typica):

From the 22 names listed above, 2 are unavailable for nomenclature, 9 have revised valid status (species or synonym), 2 are under redescription as valid species, and 9 are still difficult to interpretat due to lack of the nest samples with all castes. Our material from Greece and Turkey suggests that some undescribed species of complex occur in this area and when nest samples with alates become available, they will be described in detail.