Temnothorax almeqeri, a New Ant Species (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from the Asir Mountains, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with a Key to the Arabian Temnothorax

Abstract

We describe the new species Temnothorax almeqerisp. 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 almeqerisp. Nov closely resembles the African species, T. cinatusBolton 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 portion of first gastral tergite and end of gaster uniform yellow.