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Cataglyphis chionistrae Salata, Demetriou, Georgiadis & Borowiec n. sp. Figs 1–10, 20 Type material examined. Holotype: s. (pin): CYPRUS, Limassol, Mt | Olympos / Chionistra loc. 1, 1862 m | 34.92943 / 32.87001 | 25 IV 2022, L. Borowiec || Pinus nigra forest | nest under stone (MNHW). Paratypes: 24 w., 1q.: the same data as holotype (MNHW, JDPC, ZMUA); 1q., 6 w.: CYPRUS, Limassol, Mt | Olympos / Chionistra loc. 3, 1928 m | 34.93563 / 32.8624 | 26 IV 2022, L. Borowiec || Pinus nigra forest | nest under stone (MNHW). Cataglyphis cretica (Forel, 1910): 23 (w.m.). Syntype (w.): Myrmecocystus cursor aenescens var. cretica Em., Creta (MSNG) (leg. Cecconi), Kufor [type images examined, AntWeb, CASENT0102116, photos by April Nobile, available on https://www.AntWeb.org]. Cataglyphis hellenica (Forel, 1886): 204 (w.). Syntype (w.): Myrmecocystus cursor var. hellenicus Forel, 1886, Pyrgos, Morea, Greece (MHNG) [type images examined, AntWeb, CASENT0911108, photos by Alexandra Westrich, available on https://www.AntWeb.org]. Cataglyphis italica (Emery, 1906): 48, fig 5 (w.): Myrmecocystus cursor subsp. italicus Emery, 1906., Foggia, Italy (MSNG) [type images examined, AntWeb, CASENT0102115, photos by April Nobile, available on https:// www.AntWeb.org]. Cataglyphis minos Borowiec & Salata, 2022 142, figs 62.1-11 (s.w.q.). Holotype major (w.)., Greece, Crete, Rethymno, Prov. Nida Plateau, 1370 m (35°15’N 24°50’E), 25.04.14, leg. S. Salata (MNHW); paratypes (q.,s.), Greece, Crete, Heraklion, Prov. Rouvas Forest loc. 1, 1316 m, (35°09N 2456’E), 05.05.14, leg. S. Salata (MNHW). Other material examined: 6w. (EtOH), 44 w. (EtOH), 47 w. (EtOH), 11 w. (EtOH): four nests, the same data as for holotype; 5 w. (EtOH): Limassol, Troodos, Mt Olympos / Chionistra loc. 3, 34.935639 / 32.862404, 1928 m, 26 IV 2022, Pinus nigra forest, leg. L. Borowiec & S. Salata (MNHW); 40 w. (EtOH): Limassol, Mt. Olympos / Chionistra, 34.93479 / 32.86232, 1915 m, 26 IV 2022, Pinus nigra forest, leg. J. Demetriou & C. Georgiadis (MNHW). Etymology. Named after its locus typicus, Chionistra (= Mt. Olympos, 1,952 m), the highest point in Cyprus. Diagnosis. A member of the Cataglyphis cursor species complex within the cursor species group characterized by a petiole in the shape of a thick squama and monomorphic or with monophasic size variation of worker caste (Agosti 1990). Recent genetic studies showed that C. aenescens sensu lato is a group of cryptic or subcryptic taxa with rather small distribution areas and complicated genetic structure displaying clonal social hybridogenesis (Kuhn et al. 2020). In the eastern part of the Mediterranean Basin, the following species have been hitherto recorded: Cataglyphis aenescens (Nylander, 1849) - Türkiye, C. cretica (Forel, 1910) — Crete, C. hellenica (Forel, 1886) — Greece, C. italica (Emery, 1906) — Italy, and C. minos Borowiec & Salata, 2022 —Crete. The status of the Turkish populations recorded under C. aenescens is rather unclear. This taxon appears to be common in Central Anatolia (Kiran & Karaman 2021). However, as the true C. aenescens was described from “ Russia meridionalis” without the exact type locality and based on material collected by V. Motschulsky, it is possible that Turkish populations are not conspecific with populations from eastern Ukraine and the area north of the Caucasus. Kuhn et al. (2020) reported C. aenescens from Iran based on material collected close to the Caspian Sea and revealed that these populations genetically differ from populations distributed eastward. Thus, it is also possible that populations from the south Caspian area are not conspecific with true C. aenescens. So far, no species of the cursor complex has been noted from Israel (Vonshak & Ionescu-Hirsch 2009) nor Lebanon (Guenard et al. 2017), but C. aenescens was recorded from Syria by Wheeler & Man (1916). However, it is unknown which morphogenotype the Syrian populations represent. Workers of C. chionistrae differ from C. minos in the lack of erect setae on their antennal scapi, less setose pronotum and propodeum, and in major workers in the lack of erect setae on the first gastral tergite; from C. cretica in the smaller body size, less opalescent body sculpture, and in the presence of long and erect setae on the occipital part of the head and all mesosomal tergites (also in minor workers); from C. hellenica, C. italica, and C. cf. aenescens from Türkiye in usually deep black and always monochromous body coloration; longer antennal scapi (SI approximately 1.3 in C. chionistrae vs C. hellenica, C. italica, and C. cf. aenescens), and more shiny body surface. Description. Major worker (n=8): Measurements. HL: 1.464 (1.35–1.51); HW: 1.193 (1.09–1.26); SL: 1.551 (1.42–1.64); EL: 0.430 (0.41–0.45); PW: 0.965 (0.94–1.00); PRL: 0.778 (0.70–0.82); PRW: 0.681 (0.64–0.71); PTH: 0.448 (0.40–0.49); PTW: 0.226 (0.21–0.24); WL: 2.085 (2.00–2.15); HFL: 2.069 (2.00–2.17); CI: 1.228 (1.183 –1.265); SI: 1.301 (1.262 –1.344); PI: 1.983 (1.708 –2.143); FI: 0.992 (0.972 –1.029). Color. Whole body black (Figs. 1, 10); in a few examined specimens the frontal part of the head and gena were slightly paler colored, brownish black but the rest of the body was always deep black; legs bicolored, coxa, trochanters, and femora black, only knee yellowish to yellowish brown, tibiae yellowish brown to brown, usually fore tibiae paler colored than mid and hind tibiae, tarsi yellow. Antennae yellow to yellowish brown (Figs. 1, 2, 7). Head. Almost square, approximately 1.23 x as long as wide, sides below eyes slightly converging anterad, above eyes gently convex, posterior margin slightly convex (Fig. 7). Anterior clypeal margin convex, without shallow median emargination, with a row of very short setae and of 6–8 long yellowish-brown setae, the longest 0.6 x as long as than clypeal length. Clypeal plate with very sparse yellow appressed pubescence, anteriorly with additional few decumbent short setae, basally with a pair of long erect setae as long as 1/3–1/2 length of clypeus. Clypeus densely and finely microreticulated, slightly dull, at least basal half of clypeus with additional thin longitudinal striation (Fig. 3). Eyes large and oval, approximately 1.4–1.5 x as long as wide, and 0.8 x as long as gena. Frontal carinae short, slightly extending beyond frontal lobes. Frons narrow, in the narrowest point 0.26–0.27 x as wide as head width. Antennal fossa shallow, opalescent, covered with very short and sparse pubescence, densely microreticulated, sculpture tends to form semicircular striae. Head densely microreticulated, dull, with additional longitudinal striation, gena with very short and sparse, yellow, appressed pubescence. Anterior and lateral parts of head up to ocellar area without erect setae, except for one to two pairs of moderately long setae on frons; ocellar area usually with a pair of long, yellow erect setae with length up to 0.174 (setae in mature specimens often broken). Lateral parts of occipitum with 2–3 erect setae, the longest ~ 0.206. Antennal scape long, in frontal view almost straight, approximately 1.3 x as long as width of the head; base without tooth; apex only slightly and gradually widened; funiculus longer than scape, pedicel elongated, approximately 0.8 x as long as segments 2 and 3 combined and 1.5 x as long as segment 2 (Fig. 7). Scape microsculptured, slightly dull, covered with short and sparse hairs, mostly appressed, only at apices slightly decumbent, without erect setae. Mandibles rounded, basally smooth and shiny, apical ¾ length with deep grooves, shiny with few long and short yellow setae, cutting edge with 4 large teeth (Fig. 3). Mesosoma. Long, approximately 2.2 x as long as wide, metanotal groove deep (Fig. 2). Pronotum convex on sides (Fig. 1). In lateral view pro- and mesonotum form regular convexity, propodeum positioned lower than promesonotum, distinctly convex in lateral view with top of convexity slightly behind the middle (Fig. 2). Mesosoma densely microreticulated but shiny, on top of promesonotum with very sparse and short, hardly visible appressed pubescence, anterior surface of pronotum, mesonotum and propodeum with more visible yellowish white vestiture. Pronotum with one or two pairs of moderately long yellow setae, the longer pair with length 0.222, the shorter with length up to 0.110, mesonotum anteriorly with 2–4 short standing setae, the longest twice shorter than long setae on pronotum, and in posterior half with a pair of short setae, propodeum with 8–14 moderately long, yellow erect setae, the longest with length 0.143. Petiole. Squamiform, thin, PI approximately 1.95, anterior face softly convex, posterior face almost flat, top of petiole rounded obtusely angulate, surface diffusely microreticulate, covered with short, sparse, white appressed pubescence, apex without or with 2–4 erect setae (Fig. 4). Gaster. With fine and partly diffused microreticulation tending to form transverse striation, surface strongly shiny. Whole surface of gaster with very short and very sparse appressed pubescence, distance between hair mostly longer than length of hair; tergites 1–2 without erect setae or sometimes second tergite with a pair of short, white erect setae, tergite 3 with transverse row of 4 short erect setae. Each of gastral sternites with 3–4 long, white to yellow erect setae. Legs. Moderately elongate, FI approximately 0.992. Dorsal and lateral surfaces of femora and tibiae covered with thin, sparse, mostly appressed or only slightly decumbent yellow setae, without decumbent spiniform setae. Ventral surfaces of femora and tibiae with sparse, moderately long, and yellow suberect to erect setae, ventral margin of hind tibiae with a row of 5–6 spines. Minor worker (n=6): Measurements. HL: 1.137 (1.05–1.22); HW: 0.833 (0.75–0.90); SL: 1.258 (1.19–1.32); EL: 0.358 (0.34–0.38); PW: 0.753 (0.70–0.83); PRL: 0.638 (0.61–0.67); PRW: 0.550 (0.52–0.59); PTH: 0.312 (0.29–0.34); PTW: 0.163 (0.15–0.18); WL: 1.710 (1.60–1.82); HFL: 1.648 (1.49–1.76); CI: 1.365 (1.341 –1.400); SI: 1.512 (1.467 –1.587); PI: 1.917 (1.611 –2.125); FI: 0.964 (0.903 –0.988). Color. Same as in major workers, often antennae darker, brown (Figs. 5, 6). Head. Slightly more elongated than in major workers, 1.34–1.40 x as long as wide, below eyes softly converging anterad, behind eyes regularly rounded, occipital margin of head slightly convex. Anterior clypeal margin convex with shallow median emargination. Eyes large but slightly shorter than in major workers, 1.3 x as long as wide and 0.8 x as long as gena. Sculpture and setation of head and legs similar to major worker. Mesosoma. Same as in major worker but setation usually shorter and less numerous than in majors (Fig. 6). Petiole. Stouter than in major worker, mean PI 1.92, without erect setae. Gaster. As finely microreticulated as in majors. Tergites 1–2 without erect setae, tergite 3 usually without erect setae but occasionally with two short setae. Each of gastral sternites with 2–4 long, white to yellow erect setae. Legs slightly shorter than in major workers with mean FI 0.963. Gyne (n=2): Measurements. HL: 1.54 (1.51–1.57); HW: 1.42 (1.37–1.47); SL: 1.345 (1.27–1.42); EL: 0.455 (0.45–0.46; PW: 1.205 (1.19–1.22); PRL: 0.93 (0.92–0.94); PRW: 1.005 (1.00–1.01); PTH: 0.515 (0.49–0.54); PTW: 0.23 (0.22–0.24); WL: 2.485 (2.37–2.60); HFL: 1.765 (1.70–1.83); CI: 1.085 (1.068 –1.102); SI: 0.947 (0.927 –0.966); PI: 2.239 (2.227 –2.250); FI: 0.711 (0.704 –0.717). Color. Head reddish to reddish brown centrally, brown laterally and posteriorly; mesosoma mostly brown, scutellum and upper parts of episterna paler, reddish brown; petiole brown, gaster dorsally black, laterally brown; coxa, trochanters and femora mostly brown except reddish brown margins and reddish knee, tibiae yellowish or reddish brown, tarsi and antennae yellow (Figs. 8–10). Head. Almost square, approximately 1.1 x as long as wide, sides below eyes almost parallel, above eyes gently convex, posterior margin slightly convex (Fig. 8). Anterior clypeal margin slightly convex, with shallow median emargination, with a row of short setae and 6 long setae, the longest with length 0.269 and 0.68 x as long as length of clypeus. Clypeus with very sparse yellow appressed pubescence, anteriorly and basally with few decumbent short setae, anterolaterally with a pair of long erect setae surface densely and finely microreticulated, slightly dull, basally often with additional longitudinal striation. Eyes large and oval, approximately 1.5 x as long as wide and 0.8 x as long as gena. Frontal carinae short, not extending beyond frontal lobes. Frons narrow, in the narrowest point 0.22 x as wide as head width. Antennal fossa shallow, opalescent, densely microreticulated and covered with very short and sparse pubescence. Head regularly and densely microreticulated, in frontal area with additional longitudinal striation, behind eyes with additional semicircular striation; surface of gena and sides of head covered with extremely short and sparse, yellow, appressed pubescence. Frons with two pairs of long erect setae, between frons one pair of similar setae, ocellar area with 3–4 long erect setae, the longest with length 0.238, occipital sides with 2–3 long setae, the longest as long as the longest seta in ocellar area. Ventral side of head on each side with 4–5 long yellow setae. Antennal scape long, approximately 0.9 x as long as width of the head; base without tooth; apex only slightly and gradually widened (Fig. 8); funiculus longer than scape, pedicel elongated, approximately 0.7 x as long as segments 2 and 3 combined and twice as long as segment 2 (Fig. 8). Surface of scape diffusely microsculptured, shiny, covered with short, sparse, mostly appressed yellow hairs. Mandibles rounded, basally smooth and shiny, apical ¾ length with deep grooves, surface shiny, with 3–4 moderately long, yellow setae. Mesosoma. Long, approximately 2.06 x as long as wide. Pronotum elongate, along midline as long as 0.7 length of scutum (Fig. 9). Surface of pronotum anteriorly with diffused microreticulation, shiny, on sides distinctly microreticulated, slightly dull, with additional semicircular striation; anterior slope appears bare; sides with short, sparse, yellow appressed pubescence, at base a row of 4 yellow setae with length up to 0.286. In lateral view scutum gibbous anteriorly, top flattened posteriorly (Fig. 10). Surface of scutum densely microreticulated, but shiny, anteriorly, on sides and at base with long setae up to 0.275 mm length. Scutellum moderately convex, surface densely microreticulated, shiny, microreticulation with additional longitudinal striation, antero- and posterolateral corners with long erect setae. Anepisternum densely microreticulated, dull, with only few short, appressed hair; katepisternum densely microreticulated, dull, covered with moderately dense, appressed, yellow hair. Propodeum slightly shorter than scutum, softly, regularly convex, densely microreticulated, surface anteriorly and on sides dull, posteriorly shiny, covered with moderately dense, yellow vestiture, denser on top, sparser on sides close to spiracle, very dense in area close to metapleural gland, top of propodeum with more than 20 yellow erect setae, the longest with length 0.192. Petiole. Squamiform, like in workers, anterior face slightly convex, posterior face almost flat, PI 2.23–2.25 (Fig. 10). Surface of petiole distinctly microreticulated and shiny, covered with moderately dense, yellow pubescence, top of node without a pair of elongate erect setae. Gaster. Distinctly microreticulated and shiny, with additional transverse striation. Whole surface of gaster with short and sparse appressed pubescence; distance between hair longer than length of hair. Tergite 1–3 with a pair of long, yellow erect setae. Each of gastral sternites with 2–4 long, yellow, and erect setae. Legs. Moderately elongated but shorter than in workers, hind femora distinctly shorter than mesosoma (FI 0.711). Dorsal and lateral surfaces of femora and tibiae covered with fine, sparse, moderately long, appressed to decumbent setae, external surface of mid and hind tibiae with a row of very long erect setae up to 0.300 mm length. Ventral surfaces of hind tibiae with 1–2 yellow subapical spines. Biological notes. All nests were located under moderate sized stones located in the highest parts of Mt. Olympus around the peak locality of Chionistra, overgrown with Pinus nigra subsp. nigra var. pallasiana at an altitude from 1862 to 1928 m a.s.l. Cataglyphis chionistrae is the only species of the C. cursor complex from the eastern part of the Mediterranean Basin that prefers shadowed sites inside old pine forests. All other species are more photophilous and build nests in open spaces such as mountain steppes or xerothermophilic meadows with sparse vegetation, and if in pine forests, then on luminous clearings or broad sandy roadsides., Published as part of Salata, Sebastian, Demetriou, Jakovos, Georgiadis, Christos & Borowiec, Lech, 2023, The ant genus Cataglyphis Förster (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Cyprus, pp. 301-322 in Zootaxa 5264 (3) on pages 304-311, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5264.3.1, http://zenodo.org/record/7836585, {"references":["Forel, A. (1910) Glanures myrmecologiques. Annales de la Societe Entomologique de Belgique, 54, 6 - 32.","Forel, A. (1886) Etudes myrmecologiques en 1886. Annales de la Societe Entomologique de Belgique, 30, 131 - 215.","Emery, C. (1906) Rassegna critica delle specie paleartiche del genere Myrmecocystus. Memorie della Reale Accademia delle Scienze dell'Istituto di Bologna, (6) 3, 47 - 61","Agosti, D. (1990) Review and reclassification of Cataglyphis (Hymenoptera, Formicidae). Journal of Natural History, 24, 1457 - 1505. https: // doi. org / 10.1080 / 00222939000770851","Kuhn, A., Darras, H., Paknia, O. & Aron, S. (2020) Repeated evolution of queen parthenogenesis and social hybridogenesis in Cataglyphis desert ants. Molecular Ecology, 29, 549 - 564. https: // doi. org / 10.1111 / mec. 15283","Kiran, K. & Karaman, C. (2021) Ant fauna (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of Central Anatolian Region of Turkey. Turkish Journal of Zoology, 45, 161 - 196. https: // doi. org / 10.3906 / zoo- 2008 - 6","Guenard, B., Weiser, M., Gomez, K., Narula, N. & Economo, E. P. (2017) The Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics (GABI) database: synthesizing data on the geographic distribution of ant species (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Myrmecological News, 24, 83 - 89. https: // doi. org / 10.25849 / myrmecol. news _ 024: 083"]}

Cataglyphis aphrodite Salata, Demetriou, Georgiadis & Borowiec n. sp. Figs 11–20 = Cataglyphis nodus (Brullé, 1833): Forel (1904): 176 (as Myrmecocystus viaticus var. orientalis Forel, 1895). = Cataglyphis nodus (Brullé, 1833): Santschi (1939): 7 (as Cataglyphis bicolor st. nodus Brullé). = Cataglyphis viatica (Fabricius, 1787): Dempster (1957): 39 (as Myrmecocystus viaticus (F.)). Etymology. Named after Aphrodite, the ancient Greek goddess associated with love, lust, beauty, pleasure, passion, and procreation. Cyprus is one of the main cult centres of Aphrodite, and according to mythology, she is usually said to have been born near her chief centre of worship, Paphos, the terra typica for this species. Type material examined. Holotype (pinned): major worker: CYPRUS, Paphos, 424 m | Agiou Neofytou Mon. | 34.84602 / 32.44784 | 29 IV 2022, L. Borowiec (MNHW). Paratypes: 37 w., 1q (pinned): the same data as for holotype (MNHW, JDPC, ZMUA); 1s.: CYPRUS, Akrotiri, 1 m | Limassol Salt Lake loc. 1 | 34.6041 / 32.9528 | 20 IV 2022, L. Borowiec (MNHW); 1w.: CYPRUS, Akrotiri, 0 m | Limassol Salt Lake loc. 2 | 34.60987 / 32.994685 | 20 IV 2022, L. Borowiec (MNHW); 3w.: CYPRUS, Larnaca, 4 m, | Larnaca Salt Lake | 34.91047 / 33.60489 | 22 IV 2022, J. D. [emetriou] C. G. [eorgiadis]; 4s., 2w.: CYPRUS, Paphos, Kato | Paphos, 32 m | 34.75368 / 32.43391 | 17 IV 2022, L. Borowiec; 1s.: CYPRUS, Paphos, 219 m | 2.2 km S of Lemona | 34.842542 / 32.54799 | 29 IV 2022, L. Borowiec; 2s.: CYPRUS, Paphos, Lara | beach, 10 m | 34.91957 / 32.32751 | 18 IV 2022, L. Borowiec; 2s., 3w.: CYPRUS, Paphos distr., 7 m | Paphos-Lempa, beach area | 34°48.425 N / 32°23.643 E | 7 V 2012, L. Borowiec || Collection L. Borowiec | Formicidae | LBC-CY00048; 1s., 1w.: CYPRUS, Paphos distr., 7 m | Paphos-Lempa, beach area | 34°47.971 N / 32°23.577 E | 1 V 2012, L. Borowiec || Collection L. Borowiec | Formicidae | LBC-CY00049; 1s.: CYPRUS, Paphos distr., 176 m | Diarizos riv. n. Mamonia | 34°45.736 N / 32°37.253 E | 6 V 2012, L. Borowiec || Collection L. Borowiec | Formicidae | LBCCY00050; 1s., 11w.: CYPRUS, Paphos distr. | 1196 m, Cedar Valley | 34°59.703 N / 32°41.240 E | 5 V 2012, L. Borowiec || Collection L. Borowiec | Formicidae | LBC-CY00051; 1s., 1w.: CYPRUS, Paphos distr., 62 m | Diarizos riv. n. Nikokleia | 34°43.805 N / 32°35.037 E | 6 V 2012, L. Borowiec || Collection L. Borowiec | Formicidae | LBCCY00202; major worker: CYPRUS, Paphos distr., 25 m | Kato Paphos Palaipafou Ave | 34.758873 / 32.421888 | 4–13 VII 2019, G. Hebda || Collection L. Borowiec | Formicidae | LBC-CY00212. Cataglyphis bicolor rufiventris Emery, 1925: 265 (w.). Syntype worker, Corfu, Greece (MSNG) [syntype worker images examined, AntWeb, CASENT0905722, photos by Will Ericson, available on https://www.AntWeb. org]; Syntype worker, Corfu, Greece (MHNG) [syntype worker images examined, AntWeb, CASENT0911116, photos by Alexandra Westrich and Zach Lieberman, available on https://www.AntWeb.org]. Cataglyphis viatica orientalis (Forel, 1895): 228–229. Syntype worker, Corfu, Greece (MHNG) [syntype worker images examined, AntWeb, CASENT0911115, photos by Alexandra Westrich and Zach Lieberman, available on https://www.AntWeb.org]. Other material examined. 10 w. (EtOH): Paphos, Kato Paphos, 34.753684 / 32.433916, 32 m, 17 IV 2022, urban area and ruderal sites near citrus orchard, leg. L. Borowiec & S. Salata; 1 w. (EtOH): Akrotiri, Limassol Salt Lake loc. 2, 34.609878 / 32.946854, 0 m, 20 IV 2022, leg. L. Borowiec, herbs and bushes at lake shore; 1 w. (EtOH): Akrotiri, Limassol Salt Lake loc. 3, 34.601118 / 32.971551, 4 m, 20 IV 2022, leg. L. Borowiec, dry meadow; 1 w. (EtOH): Limassol, Apollo Temple 2.5 km W of Kourion, 34.673994 / 32.864125, 129 m, 20 IV 2022, leg. L. Borowiec, mediterranean bushes; 1 w. (EtOH): Paphos, Evretou Dam, 34.961659 / 32.477493, 172 m, 21 IV 2022, leg. L. Borowiec, mediterranean bushes; 1 w. (EtOH): Paphos, Paphos Forest loc. 4, 35.067761 / 32.615137, 808 m, 23 IV 2022, leg. L. Borowiec, pine forest; 1 w. (EtOH): Nicosia, 4 km SW of Kapedes, 34.956326 / 33.214662, 677 m, 24 IV 2022, leg. L. Borowiec, pine forest on gravel ground; 1 w. (EtOH): Nicosia, 1.2 km W of Panagia Machaira Mon., 34.937849 / 33.176931, 838 m, 24 IV 2022, leg. L. Borowiec, roadsides in pine forest; 5 w. (EtOH): Paphos, Kato Paphos, Hotel Veronica, 34.749580 / 32.428932, 20 m, 24 IV 2022, leg. L. Borowiec & S. Salata, hotel garden and surroundings; 7 w. (EtOH): Paphos, Aphrodite Baths, 35.056245 / 32.345005, 47 m, 27 IV 2022, leg. L. Borowiec & S. Salata, bath area and garden; 1 w. (EtOH): Limassol, ad Dora, 34.772575 / 32.750353, 432 m, 28 IV 2022, leg. L. Borowiec, close to stream; 10 w. (EtOH): Paphos, Agios Neofytos Monastery, 34.846027 / 32.447846, 424 m, 29 IV 2022, leg. L. Borowiec, J. Demetriou, C. Georgiadis & S. Salata, on ground in shadow valley; 1 w. (EtOH): Paphos, ad Kalepia, 34.837284 / 32.503188, 414 m, 29 IV 2022, leg. L. Borowiec, Mediterranean bushes on roadsides; 3 w. (EtOH): Paphos, 2.2 km S of Lemona, 34.842542 / 32.54799, 219 m, 29 IV 2022, leg. L. Borowiec, J. Demetriou & S. Salata, bush around marsh; 7 w. (EtOH): Larnaca Salt Lake, 34.8819 / 33.6139, 0 m, 10 IV 2022, leg. J. Demetriou & C. Georgiadis, nest by the side of the road; 2 w. (EtOH): Larnaca Salt Lake, 34.91047 / 33.60489, 4 m, 22 IV 2022, leg. J. Demetriou & C. Georgiadis, dirt road with reeds; 3 w. (EtOH): Larnaca, Larnaca Salt Lake hiking trail, 34.91103 / 33.60121, 5 m, 22 IV 2022, leg. J. Demetriou & C. Georgiadis, dirt road with reeds; 4 w. (EtOH): Nicosia, Potamia, 35.04751 / 33.43766, 188 m, 21 IV 2022, leg. C. Georgiadis, roadsides with Eucalyptus trees; 1 w. (EtOH): Nicosia, Geri, Geri, 35.09006 / 33.44064, 182 m, 21 IV 2022, dirt road, leg. C. Georgiadis, foraging on garbage; 1 w. (EtOH): Larnaca, Tekke mosque, 34.88544 / 33.61008, 6 m, 22 IV 2022, leg. J. Demetriou & C. Georgiadis, irrigated gardens; 6 w. (EtOH): Larnaca, Aradippou dam, 34.98306 / 33.59293, 66 m, 22 IV 2022, leg. J. Demetriou & C. Georgiadis, next to dam water, limestone rocks, reeds, thistles cloase to reservoir; 4 w. (EtOH): Larnaca, Aradippou bank, 34.98661 / 33.59135, 71 m, 22 IV 2022, leg. J. Demetriou & C. Georgiadis, riverbank with reeds; 4 w. (EtOH): Larnaca, Kiti dam, 34.87157 / 33.55439, 47 m, 22 IV 2022, leg. J. Demetriou & C. Georgiadis, cultivations with Ferula communis, thistles and Crataegus azarolus; 2 w. (EtOH): Nicosia, Machairas Forest, 34.85330 / 33.36188, 181 m, 23 IV 2022, leg. J. Demetriou & C. Georgiadis; 10 w. (EtOH): Ammochostos (Famagusta), Paralimni, 35.03886 / 33.97520, 70 m, 25 IV 2022, leg. J. Demetriou & C. Georgiadis; 13 w. (EtOH): Ammochostos (Famagusta), Paralimni lake, 35.03552 / 33.95647, 70 m, 25 IV 2022, leg. J. Demetriou & C. Georgiadis; 2 w. (EtOH): Ammochostos (Famagusta), Cavo Greco, 34.96647 / 34.06698, 51 m, 25 IV 2022, leg. J. Demetriou & C. Georgiadis, maquie; 13 w. (EtOH): Ammochostos (Famagusta), Achna reservoir, 35.05017 / 33.81183, 40 m, 25 IV 2022, leg. J. Demetriou & C. Georgiadis, next to water, low vegetation; 3 w. (EtOH): Paphos, Paphos Lempa, Sunny Hill Aparthotel, 34.8042 / 32.40078, 56 m, 1–6 V 2012, leg. L. Borowiec, hotel garden; 10 w. (EtOH): Paphos, Paphos-Lempa, beach area loc. 1, 34.79964 / 32.39314, 5 m, 1 V 2012, leg. L. Borowiec, seacoast; 10 w. (EtOH): Paphos, Paphos-Lempa, beach area loc. 2, 34.80732 / 32.39417, 11 m, 7 V 2012, leg. L. Borowiec, seacoast; 1 w. (pinned): Paphos, Panagia-Cedar Valley rd. loc. 1, 34.92718 / 32.64728, 755 m, 5 V 2012, leg. L. Borowiec, pine forest; 5 w. (EtOH): Paphos, Cedar Valley, 34.99503 / 32.68732, 1196 m, 5 V 2012, leg. L. Borowiec, pine and cedar forest; 13 w. (EtOH): Diarizos riv. ad Nikokleia, 34.73005 / 32.58394, 62 m, 6 V 2012, leg. L. Borowiec, dry riverbanks; 3 w. (EtOH): Paphos, Diarizos riv. ad. Fasula, 34.76222 / 32.62087, 173 m, 6 V 2012, leg. L. Borowiec, dry riverbanks; 1 w. (pinned): Paphos, Kato Paphos, Palaipafou Ave, 34.7591 / 32.4236, 28 m, 4–13 VII 2013, urban area, leg. G. Hebda (USMB). Diagnosis. Cataglyphis aphrodite is a member of the Cataglyphis nodus complex within the bicolor speciesgroup characterised by petiole nodiform, head and mesosoma distinctly sculptured, monophasic variation in body size, and bicolored and large workers (WL always above 3 mm, often above 5 mm) (Agosti 1990). The eastern part of the Mediterranean Basin complex consists of two species: C. lunatica Baroni Urbani, 1969, and C. nodus (Brullé, 1833). Cataglyphis lunatica differs strongly in yellow body coloration and brownish gaster. Cataglyphis nodus appears to be the most similar-looking species but differs from C. aphrodite in larger body size. HL in major workers of C. nodus reaches up to 3.5 mm (less than 2.3 mm in C. aphrodite). The overall small body size was already noticed by Forel (1904), who recorded C. nodus from Cyprus and pointed out that a smaller size characterizes Cypriot populations compared to typical C. nodus. Also, the setation of mesosoma, if present, is in C. nodus more abundant and longer than in C. aphrodite. In C. nodus, the longest setae on pronotum are 0.269 mm, on mesonotum 0.230 mm, and propodeum 0.262 mm, while in C. aphrodite 0.158, 0.076, and 0.079, respectively. Currently, there are four taxa considered junior synonyms of C. nodus, and two of them were described from the Eastern Mediterranean region. Cataglyphis bicolor rufiventris Emery, 1925 was described from Korfu [Corfu/ Kerkyra] based on differences in the coloration of gaster, while Cataglyphis viatica orientalis (Forel, 1895) was described from Edirne in Türkiye based on the thicker and lower petiole. In both cases, the characters mentioned above were proven to fall within the infraspecific variation observed in C. nodus. Thus, due to the lack of any name that can be used for the Cypriot populations, we decided to describe them as new to science. Cataglyphis aphrodite might also be confused with some other species of the bicolor species group known from the Eastern Mediterranean. Cataglyphis machmal Radchenko & Arakelian, 1991 differs in the dorsum of mesosoma and first gastral tergite with numerous white, long erect setae, mostly longer than apical width of hind tibia (in C. aphrodite dorsum of mesosoma and first gastral tergite without erect setae or with 1–3 short setae on each mesosomal tergite and at most 6 setae on propodeum, setae never longer than apical width of hind tibia); Cataglyphis oasium Menozzi, 1932 differs in a strongly convex propodeum, legs always dark colored (brown to black) and larger size (HL in major workers always above 3 mm while in C. aphrodite HL Cataglyphis israelensis Ionescu & Eyer, 2016 differs in larger body size (HL in major workers up to 3.20 mm) and mesonotum raised over pronotum in most workers; Cataglyphis laevior Emery, 1925 differs in larger body size (HL in major workers always above 3 mm) and less sculptured gaster with shiny lateral sides (in C. aphrodite gaster is more sculptured and never shiny). Also, C. laevior is distributed in northern Africa and its records from Türkiye (Kiran & Karaman 2021) and Arabian Peninsula (Collingwood 1985, Collingwood & Agosti 1996) need confirmation. Description. Major worker (n=8): Measurements. HL: 2.211 (2.07–2.33); HW: 1.999 (1.80–2.17); SL: 2.245 (2.14–2.31); EL: 0.543 (0.51–0.58); PW: 1.385 (1.27–1.48); PRL: 1.184 (1.10–1.28); PRW: 0.991 (0.92–1.07); PTH: 0.460 (0.33–0.55); PTW: 0.484 (0.45–0.54); WL: 3.160 (3.00–3.33); HFL: 3.391 (3.17–3.63); CI: 1.107 (1.064 –1.239); SI: 1.125 (1.064 –1.239); PI: 0.951 (0.880 –1.021); FI: 1.074 (1.032 –1.132). Color. Head, mesosoma, petiole, legs, and antennae red, gaster black (Figs. 11, 12). In the palest specimens gaster brownish black; in the darkest specimens femora reddish brown to brown, occasionally also tibiae reddish brown but dark specimens represent not more than 10% of all examined specimens. Head. Square, approximately 1.11 x as long as wide, sides below eyes almost parallel, above eyes gently convex, posterior margin slightly convex or almost straight (Fig. 13). Anterior clypeal margin slightly convex, without central impression, with a row of 6–8 long yellow setae only slightly shorter than clypeal length. Clypeal surface with very sparse, yellow and appressed pubescence and anteriorly with few decumbent and short setae, with a pair of long erect setae as long as 1/3–1/2 length of clypeus. Clypeus densely and finely microreticulated, slightly dull, basally with additional longitudinal striation. Eyes large and oval, approximately 1.3–1.4 x as long as wide and 0.6 x as long as gena. Frontal carinae short, not extending beyond frontal lobes. Frons narrow, in the narrowest point 0.18–0.15 x as wide as head. Antennal fossa shallow, opalescent, densely microreticulated and covered with very short and sparse pubescence. Head densely microreticulated, dull, with no longitudinal or transverse striation, surface covered with very short and sparse, yellow, appressed pubescence. Anterior and lateral parts of head up to ocellar area without erect setae, ocellar area usually with a pair of long, yellow erect setae with length of up to 0.222 (in mature specimens setae often broken). Central part of occipital area usually with 6–8 yellow, short to long erect setae, the longest ~ 0.334. Occipital corners without or with single short, yellow seta. Ventral side of head without or with 2–4 short yellow setae, three times shorter than the longest seta on occipitum. Antennal scape long; in frontal view almost straight, 1.06–1.24 x as long as width of the head; base without tooth; apex only slightly and gradually widened (Fig. 13); funiculus longer than scape, pedicel elongated, approximately 0.9 x as long as segments 2 and 3 combined and 1.9 x as long as segment 2 (Fig. 13). Surface of scape densely microsculptured, shiny or slightly dull, covered with short, sparse, mostly appressed to decumbent yellow hairs. Mandibles rounded, basally smooth and shiny, apical ¾ length with deep grooves, surface shiny with several long, yellow setae. Mesosoma. Long, approximately 2.3 x as long as wide, metanotal groove shallow (Fig. 12). Pronotum regularly rounded on sides (Fig. 11). In lateral view, promesonotum regularly arched, mesonotum not raised above pronotum, propodeum positioned lower than promesonotum, dorsum of propodeum in lateral view form regular arch (Fig. 12). Mesosoma densely microreticulated, dull; covered with yellow appressed pubescence sparse to moderately dense on pronotum and dorsal mesonotum, dense on the surface of pronotum, laterals sides of mesonotum, and propodeum, dense close to metapleural gland. Pronotum 1–3 short to moderately long, yellow erect setae, the longest seta with length to 0.158, mesonotum usually with four short, yellow setae, the longest with length 0.076, propodeum without, or anteriorly with a pair and posteriorly 1–4 short setae, the longest with length 0.079. Petiole. Nodiform, node in lateral view regularly rounded, posterior face slightly concave, pedicel elongate (Fig. 14). Surface of petiole distinctly microreticulated and slightly shiny, covered with moderately dense, yellow pubescence, top of node without or with 1–2 very short, yellow erect setae. Gaster. Dull and distinctly microreticulated, first gastral tergite sometimes with additional transverse striation. Gaster with very short and sparse appressed pubescence, distance between hair usually longer than length of hair; top of first tergite usually without or occasionally with 1–2 very short, yellow erect setae, tergite 2 usually without, occasionally with 1–2 short, yellow erect setae, tergite 3 usually with a pair of long, yellow erect setae up to 0.317 mm in length, but in large specimens setae often broken. Each of gastral sternites with 3–4 long, yellow, and erect setae up to 0.325 mm in length. Legs. Elongate, hind femora slightly longer than mesosoma (mean FI 1.073). Dorsal and lateral surfaces of femora and tibiae covered with fine, sparse, appressed to slightly decumbent setae, without additional, decumbent spiniform setae. Ventral surfaces of hind tibiae with a row of 6–8 long, yellow spines. Minor worker (n=6): Measurements. HL: 1.407 (1.17–1.56); HW: 1.102 (0.86–1.29); SL: 1.572 (1.29–1.70); EL: 0.380 (0.33–0.40); PW: 0.872 (0.71–0.98); PRL: 0.788 (0.63–0.84); PRW: 0.638 (0.51–0.69); PTH: 0.305 (0.26–0.35); PTW: 0.305 (0.24–0.34); WL: 2.173 (1.80–2.32); HFL: 2.320 (1.98–2.50); CI: 1.282 (1.209 –1.360); SI: 1.432 (1.318 –1.466); PI: 1.005 (0.848 –1.103); FI: 1.068 (1.035 –1.100). Color. Similar to major workers, but legs often darker, yellowish brown to brown (Figs. 15, 16). Antennae sometimes with reddish brown scapi and slightly obscure funicle. Head. Slightly more elongated than in major workers, 1.21–1.36 x as long as wide, below eyes parallel-sided, behind eyes regularly rounded, occipital margin of head slightly convex.Anterior clypeal margin convex without median impression, central surface of clypeus without median keel. Eyes large and oval, 1.4 x as long as wide and 0.8 x as long as gena. Sculpture and setation of head and legs similar to major worker. Mesosoma. Same as in major worker but setation often more visible, mesonotum often with 4–6 setae. Petiole. As in major worker, without erect setae. Gaster. Strongly microreticulated and dull. Tergites 1–2 without erect setae, tergite 3 usually without erect setae but occasionally with a row of 4 short setae. Each of gastral sternites with 2–4 long, yellow erect setae. Legs as long as in major workers with mean FI below 1.068. Gyne (n=1): Measurements. HL: 2.30; HW: 2.20; SL: 2.02; EL: 0.57; PW: 1.69; PRL: 1.33; PRW: 1.33; PTH: 0.60; PTW: 0.47; WL: 3.63; HFL: 2.67; CI: 1.045; SI: 0.918; PI: 1.276; FI: 0.736. Color. Head, mesosoma, petiole legs, and antennae red, gaster reddish brown (Figs. 17, 18). Head. Square, almost as long as wide, sides below eyes almost parallel, above eyes gently convex, posterior margin slightly convex (Fig. 19). Anterior clypeal margin slightly convex, without central impression, on each side with a row of 6–8 short yellow setae. Clypeal surface with very sparse yellow appressed pubescence and anteriorly with few decumbent short setae and close to base with one broken seta. Clypeus densely and finely microreticulated, slightly shiny, basally often with additional longitudinal striation. Eyes large and oval, approximately 1.4 x as long as wide and 0.8 x as long as gena. Frontal carinae short, not extending beyond frontal lobes. Frons narrow, in the narrowest part 0.19 x as wide as head width. Antennal fossa shallow, opalescent, densely microreticulated, and covered with very short and sparse pubescence. Head regularly, densely microreticulated, frontal fac, Published as part of Salata, Sebastian, Demetriou, Jakovos, Georgiadis, Christos & Borowiec, Lech, 2023, The ant genus Cataglyphis Förster (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Cyprus, pp. 301-322 in Zootaxa 5264 (3) on pages 311-320, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5264.3.1, http://zenodo.org/record/7836585, {"references":["Forel, A. (1904) Fourmis du Musee de Bruxelles. Annales de la Societe Entomologique de Belgique, 48, 168 - 177.","Santschi, F. (1939) Trois notes sur quelques fourmis du Musee Royal d'Histoire Naturelle de Belgique. Bulletin du Musee Royal d'Histoire Naturelle de Belgique, 15 (14), 1 - 15.","Dempster, J. P. (1957) The population dynamics of the Moroccan locust (Dociostaurus maroccanus Thunb.) in Cyprus. Anti- Locust Bulletin, 27, 1 - 4.","Agosti, D. (1990) Review and reclassification of Cataglyphis (Hymenoptera, Formicidae). Journal of Natural History, 24, 1457 - 1505. https: // doi. org / 10.1080 / 00222939000770851","Eyer, P. A., Seltzer, R. & Reiner-Brodetzki, Hefetz. A. (2016) An integrative approach to untangling species delimitation in the Cataglyphis bicolor desert ant complex in Israel. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 115, 128 - 139. https: // doi. org / 10.1016 / j. ympev. 2017.07.024","Kiran, K. & Karaman, C. (2021) Ant fauna (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of Central Anatolian Region of Turkey. Turkish Journal of Zoology, 45, 161 - 196. https: // doi. org / 10.3906 / zoo- 2008 - 6","Collingwood, C. A. (1985) Hymenoptera: Fam. Formicidae of Saudi Arabia. Fauna of Saudi Arabia, 7: 230 - 302.","Collingwood, C. A. & Agosti D. (1996) Formicidae (Insecta: Hymenoptera) of Saudi Arabia (part 2). Fauna of Saudi Arabia, 15, 300 - 385."]}

At the beginning of their foraging careers, Cataglyphis desert ants calibrate their compass systems and learn the visual panorama surrounding the nest entrance. For that, they perform well-structured initial learning walks. During rotational body movements (pirouettes), naïve ants (novices) gaze back to the nest entrance to memorize their way back to the nest. To align their gaze directions, they rely on the geomagnetic field as a compass cue. In contrast, experienced ants (foragers) use celestial compass cues for path integration during food search. If the panorama at the nest entrance is changed, foragers perform re-learning walks prior to heading out on new foraging excursions. Here, we show that initial learning walks and re-learning walks are structurally different. During re-learning walks, foragers circle around the nest entrance before leaving the nest area to search for food. During pirouettes, they do not gaze back to the nest entrance. In addition, foragers do not use the magnetic field as a compass cue to align their gaze directions during re-learning walk pirouettes. Nevertheless, magnetic alterations during re-learning walks under manipulated panoramic conditions induce changes in nest-directed views indicating that foragers are still magnetosensitive in a cue conflict situation.

Cataglyphis adenensis (Forel, 1904) Fig. 9 Myrmecocystus viaticus r. adenensis Forel, 1904: 382 (footnote) (w) Yemen. Afrotropic. Diagnosis Bicolored species with head and mesosoma red or dull brown-red, gaster brown; head slightly longer than broad; petiole in profile with a rounded dome; mesosoma and petiole covered with whitish appressed pubescence. Material examined This species was not collected during the present study. Ecological and biological notes Nothing is known on the ecology or biology of this species. Geographic range A species was originally described from Yemen and subsequently recorded from Oman (Collingwood & Agosti 1996), Kuwait, and UAE (Collingwood et al. 2011). A single worker was collected from Dhofar by Collingwood & Agosti (1996)., Published as part of Sharaf, Mostafa R., Wetterer, James K., Mohamed, Amr A. & Aldawood, Abdulrahman S., 2022, Faunal composition, diversity, and distribution of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of Dhofar Governorate, Oman, with updated list of the Omani species and remarks on zoogeography, pp. 1-106 in European Journal of Taxonomy 838 (1) on pages 15-19, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.838.1925, http://zenodo.org/record/7094306, {"references":["Forel A. 1904. Note sur les fourmis du Musee Zoologique de l'Academie Imperiale des Sciences a St. Petersbourg. Ezhegodnik Zoologicheskago Muzeya 8: 368 - 388.","Fabricius J. C. 1798. Supplementum Entomologiae Systematicae. Proft and Storch, Hafniae [Copenhagen]. https: // doi. org / 10.5962 / bhl. title. 122153","Finzi B. 1940 (\" 1939 \"). Formiche della Libia. Memorie della Societa Entomologica Italiana 18: 155 - 166.","Collingwood C. A. & Agosti D. 1996. Formicidae (Insecta: Hymenoptera) of Saudi Arabia (part 2). Fauna of Saudi Arabia 15: 300 - 385.","Collingwood C. A., Agosti D., Sharaf M. R. & van Harten A. 2011. Order Hymenoptera, family Formicidae. Arthropod Fauna of the UAE 4: 405 - 474."]}

Cataglyphis rubra (Forel, 1903) Fig. 12 Myrmecocystus albicans r. ruber Forel, 1903: 268 (w) Algeria. Palearctic. Diagnosis Head, mesosoma, petiole red, gaster brown; posterior margin of head with 6–10 straight, erect setae; petiole in profile low, with a flat dorsal surface sloping forward, in profile with node longer than high; propodeal dorsum making a blunt obtuse angle with declivity; mesosoma and petiole with pale appressed pubescence. Material examined This species was not collected during the present study. Ecological and biological notes Noted as a desert species by Moradloo et al. (2015). Geographic range Cataglyphis rubra was originally described from Algeria and is widely distributed throughout North Africa from the Atlas Mountains to Sinai Peninsula (Collingwood 1985; Collingwood & Agosti 1996). It is also recorded from Oman (Collingwood 1985), and UAE (Collingwood et al. 2011). This species has been recorded from Dhofar by Collingwood (1985)., Published as part of Sharaf, Mostafa R., Wetterer, James K., Mohamed, Amr A. & Aldawood, Abdulrahman S., 2022, Faunal composition, diversity, and distribution of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of Dhofar Governorate, Oman, with updated list of the Omani species and remarks on zoogeography, pp. 1-106 in European Journal of Taxonomy 838 (1) on page 21, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.838.1925, http://zenodo.org/record/7094306, {"references":["Forel A. 1903. Melanges entomologiques, biologiques et autres. Annales de la Societe entomologique de Belgique 47: 249 - 268.","Moradloo S., Fard R. N., Rad S. P. & Taylor B. 2015. Records of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Northern Iran. Zoology in the Middle East 61: 168 - 173. https: // doi. org / 10.1080 / 09397140.2015.1020611","Collingwood C. A. 1985. Hymenoptera: Fam. Formicidae of Saudi Arabia. Fauna of Saudi Arabia 7: 230 - 302.","Collingwood C. A. & Agosti D. 1996. Formicidae (Insecta: Hymenoptera) of Saudi Arabia (part 2). Fauna of Saudi Arabia 15: 300 - 385.","Collingwood C. A., Agosti D., Sharaf M. R. & van Harten A. 2011. Order Hymenoptera, family Formicidae. Arthropod Fauna of the UAE 4: 405 - 474."]}

Cataglyphis arenaria Finzi, 1940 Fig. 10 Cataglyphis (Cataglyphis) albicans var. arenaria Finzi, 1940: 164 (w) Algeria. Palearctic. Diagnosis Body color yellow, gaster frequently with a dark apex; propodeal dorsum low in profile; mesosoma bare except for few pairs of short setae on propodeum; mesosoma, posterior part of head and coxae covered with a layer of silvery appressed pubescence. Material examined This species was not collected during the present study. Ecological and biological notes Nothing has been published on the ecology of this species. Geographic range Cataglyphis arenaria was originally described from Algeria and has been recorded from Oman (Collingwood & Agosti 1996), and UAE (Collingwood et al. 2011). Collingwood & Agosti (1996) reported this species from Dhofar based on two workers., Published as part of Sharaf, Mostafa R., Wetterer, James K., Mohamed, Amr A. & Aldawood, Abdulrahman S., 2022, Faunal composition, diversity, and distribution of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of Dhofar Governorate, Oman, with updated list of the Omani species and remarks on zoogeography, pp. 1-106 in European Journal of Taxonomy 838 (1) on page 19, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.838.1925, http://zenodo.org/record/7094306, {"references":["Finzi B. 1940 (\" 1939 \"). Formiche della Libia. Memorie della Societa Entomologica Italiana 18: 155 - 166.","Collingwood C. A. & Agosti D. 1996. Formicidae (Insecta: Hymenoptera) of Saudi Arabia (part 2). Fauna of Saudi Arabia 15: 300 - 385.","Collingwood C. A., Agosti D., Sharaf M. R. & van Harten A. 2011. Order Hymenoptera, family Formicidae. Arthropod Fauna of the UAE 4: 405 - 474."]}

Cataglyphis sabulosa Kugler, 1981 Fig. 13 Cataglyphis sabulosa Kugler, 1981: 84 (w, q, m) Israel. Palearctic. Diagnosis Color yellow to orange-brown; gaster frequently brown; first funicular segment nearly 1.5 × as long as second; propodeal dorsum passing in a curve into equally long declivity; petiole squamiform, convex anteriorly and straight posteriorly; third maxillary palp fringed with long curved setae; head, mesosoma, petiole, gaster, and coxae usually with dense white-silvery pubescence. Material examined This species was not collected during the present study. Ecological and biological notes Cataglyphis sabulosa is a desert species that builds nests in the sand at a depth of about 20 cm, where alate males and dealate queens occur (Kugler 1981). The species seems to be a preferred diet of the lizard, Acanthodactylus schreiberi Boulenger, 1878 (Lacertidae). Geographic range A species originally described from Israel and recorded from Egypt (Kugler 1981), Oman, KSA (Collingwood 1985), UAE, and Yemen (Collingwood & Agosti 1996). Collingwood (1985) recorded this species from Dhofar based on a single worker., Published as part of Sharaf, Mostafa R., Wetterer, James K., Mohamed, Amr A. & Aldawood, Abdulrahman S., 2022, Faunal composition, diversity, and distribution of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of Dhofar Governorate, Oman, with updated list of the Omani species and remarks on zoogeography, pp. 1-106 in European Journal of Taxonomy 838 (1) on page 21, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.838.1925, http://zenodo.org/record/7094306, {"references":["Kugler J. 1981. A new species of Cataglyphis Forster (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Israel and Sinai. Israel Journal of Entomology 15: 83 - 88.","Collingwood C. A. 1985. Hymenoptera: Fam. Formicidae of Saudi Arabia. Fauna of Saudi Arabia 7: 230 - 302.","Collingwood C. A. & Agosti D. 1996. Formicidae (Insecta: Hymenoptera) of Saudi Arabia (part 2). Fauna of Saudi Arabia 15: 300 - 385."]}

Cataglyphis isis (Forel, 1913) Fig. 11 Myrmecocystus (Cataglyphis) diehlii var. isis Forel, 1913: 434 (w) Egypt. Palearctic. Diagnosis Body color black; first funicular segment less than 1.4 × as long as second; propodeal dorsum in profile low; mesosoma and petiole with dense whitish appressed pubescence; petiolar node higher than long in profile; gaster slightly sculptured and dull. Material examined This species was not collected during the present study. Ecological and biological notes Nothing has been published on the ecology of this species. Geographic range A species originally described from Egypt and recorded from several countries in the Middle East including Oman, KSA (Collingwood 1985), UAE, Yemen (Collingwood & Agosti 1996; Collingwood et al. 2011), Israel (Ionescu & Eyer 2016), Afghanistan, Iraq, and Iran (Pisarski 1965). Cataglyphis isis was recorded from Dhofar (Collingwood & Agosti 1996) based on two worker specimens., Published as part of Sharaf, Mostafa R., Wetterer, James K., Mohamed, Amr A. & Aldawood, Abdulrahman S., 2022, Faunal composition, diversity, and distribution of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of Dhofar Governorate, Oman, with updated list of the Omani species and remarks on zoogeography, pp. 1-106 in European Journal of Taxonomy 838 (1) on page 19, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.838.1925, http://zenodo.org/record/7094306, {"references":["Forel A. 1913. Fourmis de la faune mediterraneenne recoltees par MM. U. et J. Sahlberg. Revue suisse de Zoologie 21: 427 - 438. Available from https: // www. biodiversitylibrary. org / page / 10712981 [accessed 25 Jul. 2022].","Collingwood C. A. 1985. Hymenoptera: Fam. Formicidae of Saudi Arabia. Fauna of Saudi Arabia 7: 230 - 302.","Collingwood C. A. & Agosti D. 1996. Formicidae (Insecta: Hymenoptera) of Saudi Arabia (part 2). Fauna of Saudi Arabia 15: 300 - 385.","Collingwood C. A., Agosti D., Sharaf M. R. & van Harten A. 2011. Order Hymenoptera, family Formicidae. Arthropod Fauna of the UAE 4: 405 - 474.","Ionescu A. & Eyer P. A. 2016. Notes on Cataglyphis Foerster, 1850 of the bicolor species-group in Israel, with description of a new species (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Israel Journal of Entomology 46: 109 - 131.","Pisarski B. 1965. Les fourmis du genre Cataglyphis Foerst. en Irak (Hymenoptera, Formicidae). Bulletin de l'Academie polonaise des Sciences 13: 417 - 422."]}

Cataglyphis urens Collingwood, 1985 Fig. 14 Cataglyphis urens Collingwood, 1985: 290 (w, m) Oman. Palearctic. Diagnosis Head and mesosoma dark red, gaster dark brown to black; appendages brown-red; propodeum in profile with a high dorsum meeting declivity in a rounded right angle; petiole lower, clearly longer than high in profile; several pairs of sparse setae on cephalic dorsum, promesonotum, propodeum, petiole, and gastral tergites. Material examined This species was not collected during the present study. Ecological and biological notes Nothing has been published on the ecology of this species. Geographic range This species was originally described from Dhofar, Oman (Collingwood 1985) based on a single worker, and also recorded from KSA, UAE, and Yemen (Collingwood & Agosti 1996)., Published as part of Sharaf, Mostafa R., Wetterer, James K., Mohamed, Amr A. & Aldawood, Abdulrahman S., 2022, Faunal composition, diversity, and distribution of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of Dhofar Governorate, Oman, with updated list of the Omani species and remarks on zoogeography, pp. 1-106 in European Journal of Taxonomy 838 (1) on page 25, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.838.1925, http://zenodo.org/record/7094306, {"references":["Collingwood C. A. 1985. Hymenoptera: Fam. Formicidae of Saudi Arabia. Fauna of Saudi Arabia 7: 230 - 302.","Collingwood C. A. & Agosti D. 1996. Formicidae (Insecta: Hymenoptera) of Saudi Arabia (part 2). Fauna of Saudi Arabia 15: 300 - 385."]}

Cataglyphis desert ants are charismatic central place foragers. After long-ranging foraging trips, individual workers navigate back to their nest relying mostly on visual cues. The reproductive caste faces other orientation challenges, i.e. mate finding and colony foundation. Here we compare brain structures involved in spatial orientation of Cataglyphis nodus males, gynes, and foragers by quantifying relative neuropil volumes associated with two visual pathways, and numbers and volumes of antennal lobe (AL) olfactory glomeruli. Furthermore, we determined absolute numbers of synaptic complexes in visual and olfactory regions of the mushroom bodies (MB) and a major relay station of the sky-compass pathway to the central complex (CX). Both female castes possess enlarged brain centers for sensory integration, learning, and memory, reflected in voluminous MBs containing about twice the numbers of synaptic complexes compared with males. Overall, male brains are smaller compared with both female castes, but the relative volumes of the optic lobes and CX are enlarged indicating the importance of visual guidance during innate behaviors. Male ALs contain greatly enlarged glomeruli, presumably involved in sex-pheromone detection. Adaptations at both the neuropil and synaptic levels clearly reflect differences in sex-specific and caste-specific demands for sensory processing and behavioral plasticity underlying spatial orientation.

Behavioral flexibility is an important cornerstone for the ecological success of animals. Social Cataglyphis nodus ants with their age-related polyethism characterized by age-related behavioral phenotypes represent a prime example for behavioral flexibility. We propose neuropeptides as powerful candidates for the flexible modulation of age-related behavioral transitions in individual ants. As the neuropeptidome of C. nodus was unknown, we collected a comprehensive peptidomic data set obtained by transcriptome analysis of the ants' central nervous system combined with brain extract analysis by Q-Exactive Orbitrap mass spectrometry (MS) and direct tissue profiling of different regions of the brain by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) MS. In total, we identified 71 peptides with likely bioactive function, encoded on 49 neuropeptide-, neuropeptide-like, and protein hormone prepropeptide genes, including a novel neuropeptide-like gene (fliktin). We next characterized the spatial distribution of a subset of peptides encoded on 16 precursor proteins with high resolution by MALDI MS imaging (MALDI MSI) on 14 µm brain sections. The accuracy of our MSI data were confirmed by matching the immunostaining patterns for tachykinins with MSI ion images from consecutive brain sections. Our data provide a solid framework for future research into spatially resolved qualitative and quantitative peptidomic changes associated with stage-specific behavioral transitions and the functional role of neuropeptides in Cataglyphis ants.

Ants (Formicidae, Hymenoptera) play an important role in seed bank, seedling establishment and plant composition of arid ecosystems. Thus, knowing plant-ant interaction provides useful information for managers to design restoration and conservation plans. In this study, the roles of desert harvester ants (Messor intermedius and Messor melancholicus) and scavenger ants (Cataglyphis nodus and Lepisiota semenovi) on plant communities were investigated in arid ecosystems of southeastern Iran. Two vegetation types were distinguished in the study area and the nest density of ant species was determined. Furthermore, plant composition and soil seed bank were estimated at different distances from the ant nests. Results showed that the density of M. intermedius and M. melancholicus nests was higher in dwarf shrub-shrub vegetation type and the density of C. nodus and L. semenovi nests was higher in dwarf shrub vegetation type. The harvester and scavenger ants had enhanced the seed bank to 55% and 70%, respectively. Therefore, the role of scavenger ants on the plant communities’ seed bank was greater than that of harvester ants. Although the scavenger ants were more influential on the annuals and the invasive plant species, the radius impact of the harvester ants on the perennials was greater, i.e., a positive interaction existed between the perennial plants and the harvester ants. C. nodus and L. semenovi played an important role in enhancing the ecosystem’s potential for restoration through establishment of pioneer species in early stage of succession. The activity of M. intermedius is crucial for the development and maintenance of climax plant communities in arid ecosystems through assisting the plant species’ establishment in late stage of succession. It is essential to preserve the diversity of these key ant species for the maintenance and sustainability of shrubs in arid ecosystems.