Monomorium (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of the Arabian Peninsula with description of two new species, M. heggyi sp. n. and M. khalidi sp. n.

Abstract

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.

Additions to the Ant Fauna of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), With an Updated List of the Saudi Species

“…Numerous papers have been published between 2009 and 2022 by M. Sharaf and A. Aldawood, shedding light on the ant fauna of the country. These papers included revisionary works, descriptions of new species and species records for the following genera: Aenictus Shuckard, 1840 (Sharaf et al 2012a), Anochetus Mayr, 1861 (Sharaf et al 2017a), Brachymyrmex Mayr, 1868 (Sharaf et al 2016a), Carebara Westwood, 1840 (Aldawood et al 2011, Sharaf & Aldawood 2013a), Cataglyphis Foerster, 1850 (Sharaf et al 2015a), Crematogaster Lund, 1831 (Sharaf et al 2019a), Leptogenys Roger, 1861 (Sharaf et al 2017b), Meranoplus Smith, 1853 (Sharaf et al 2014a, Sharaf & Aldawood 2017, 2019a), Monomorium Mayr, 1855 (Aldawood & Sharaf 2011, Sharaf et al 2015b, 2018a, 2021), Nesomyrmex Wheeler, 1910 (Sharaf et al 2017c), Parasyscia Emery, 1882 (Sharaf et al 2018b), Plagiolepis Mayr, 1861 (Sharaf et al 2011), Solenopsis Westwood, 1840 (Sharaf & Aldawood 2011, 2012, Sharaf et al 2015c), Strumigenys Smith, 1860 (Sharaf et al 2014b, 2015d), Syllophopsis Santschi, 1915 (Sharaf & Aldawood 2013b), Tapinoma Foerster, 1850 (Sharaf et al 2012b, Al-Keridis et al 2021, Abdel-Dayem et al 2021, Sharaf & Aldawood 2022), Technomyrmex Mayr, 1872 (Sharaf et al 2018c), Temnothorax Mayr, 1861 (Sharaf & Aldawood 2019b, Sharaf et al 2019b), Tetramorium Mayr, 1855 (Aldawood & Sharaf 2009, Sharaf et al 2012c, 2013), and Trichomyrmex Mayr, 1865 (Sharaf et al 2016b).…”