Cardiocondyla tibetana

Cardiocondyla tibetana
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hymenoptera
Family:	Formicidae
Subfamily:	Myrmicinae
Tribe:	Crematogastrini
Genus:	Cardiocondyla
Species group:	stambuloffii
Species:	C. tibetana
Binomial name
Cardiocondyla tibetana Seifert, 2003 Specimen Labels

Seifert (2023) reports two nests were found by Roland Schultz in a semidesert zone in an area with clay or loamy soil occasionally flooded by the river Tarim and covered by light tamarisk stands.

Identification

Seifert (2003) - A member of the Cardiocondyla stambuloffii group. The unique character combination of Cardiocondyla tibetana enables a safe distinction from any known Palaearctic species both by morphometry, body shape, and microstructures. The minute hair base punctures and full absence of any foveolae on the vertex, as well as the shape of the spines and postpetiole are the reasons for positioning C. tibetana near the Cardiocondyla stambuloffii group. However, the larger eye size, the narrower frons, the lower petiole height and postpetiole width indicate affinities to both the Cardiocondyla elegans and the Cardiocondyla bulgarica groups.

Seifert (2023) - Rather small, CS 540 µm. Head short, CL/CW 1.159. Postocular index smaller than in other members of the stambuloffii group, PoOc/CL 0.424. Hind margin of head with a suggested concavity in the median third. Scape longer than in other members of the stambuloffii group, SL/CS 0.838. Eye larger than in other members of the stambuloffii group, EYE/CS 0.248. Frons narrower than in other members of the stambuloffii group (FRS/CS 0.280), frontal carinae weakly converging immediately caudal of FRS level (FL/FR 1.047). Dorsal profile of promesonotum convex, metanotal depression rather shallow (Mgr/CS 3.14 %), dorsal profile of propodeum slightly convex. Propodeal spines reduced to obtuse angled corners, SP/CS 0.044), the distance of their bases much smaller than in other members of the stambuloffii group (SPBA/CS 0.219). Petiole more than half as wide as postpetiole and distinctly higher than wide (PeW/CS 0.271, PeH/CS 0.310), in profile with a moderately short peduncle and the anterior slope of the node much less inclined than the posterior slope (58° vs. 71° relative to ventral petiole profile)—as result the node profile is strongly asymmetric. Petiole node in dorsal view wider than long. Postpetiole much narrower and lower than in other members of the stambuloffii group and less than twice as wide as high (PpW/CS 0.510, PpH/CS 0.265), in dorsal aspect with a rather straight anterior margin, postpetiolar sternite completely flat. Clypeus, frontal laminae, and anterior 70% of median and paramedian vertex very densely longitudinally carinulaterugulose; distance between carinulae on central vertex only 4–5 µm. Carinulae on lateral vertex interrupted and with much larger, more or less shining interspaces. Poorly visible hair base punctures of only 5–7 µm diameter are scattered in the interspaces; many of the hair bases without surrounding micropunctures (Fig. 104). Posterior third of head almost glabrous, only scattered hair base punctures present. Foveolae of any size and type on whole head completely absent. Pronotum glabrous. Dorsal parts of mesonotum and propodeum mainly smooth and shining, longitudinal carinulae may be present. Lateral mesonotum with interrupted, meso- and metapleurae with stronger, more continuous longitudinal rugulosity. Petiole and postpetiole smooth and shiny. Pubescence on gaster tergites moderately long and dense, PLg/CS 6.39 %, sqPDg 3.54. Whole body rather concolorous medium to blackish brown, appendages and sometimes clypeus lighter with yellowish tinge.

The character combination of Cardiocondyla tibetana is unique and enables a safe distinction from any known Palaearctic species both by morphometry, body shape, and microstructures. The minute or absent hair base punctures and full absence of any foveolae on vertex, as well as spine and postpetiolar shape were the reasons for placing C. tibetana in the stambuloffii group. However, the larger eye size, the narrower frons, and the lower petiole height and postpetiole width also indicate affinities to the elegans or ulianini groups.

Keys including this Species

• Key to Holartic Cardiocondyla
• Key to Palaearctic Cardiocondyla

Distribution

Seifert (2023) - Three findings with precise site records are at the southern and northern margin of the Taklamakan desert (37.015°N, 80.729°E, 1366 m; 41.175°N, 84.232°N, 920 m). The precise locality of gustav Mayr’s sample is unclear but probably at the margin of the Tarim Basin with the Tibetan Plain.

Latitudinal Distribution Pattern

Latitudinal Range: 41.17° to 36.86666667°.

North Temperate	North Subtropical	Tropical	South Subtropical	South Temperate

• Source: AntMaps; Seifert, 2023

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists

Oriental Region: Tibet (type locality).
Palaearctic Region: China.

Distribution based on AntMaps

Distribution based on AntWeb specimens

Check data from AntWeb

Countries Occupied

Number of countries occupied by this species based on AntWiki Regional Taxon Lists. In general, fewer countries occupied indicates a narrower range, while more countries indicates a more widespread species.

Estimated Abundance

Relative abundance based on number of AntMaps records per species (this species within the purple bar). Fewer records (to the left) indicates a less abundant/encountered species while more records (to the right) indicates more abundant/encountered species.

Biology

Expand Explore Overview of Cardiocondyla biology  Little is known about Cardiocondyla tibetana. Until further studies reveal more about this species we can infer that its natural history and biology is likely similar to other members of the genus. Seifert revised the holarctic species of Cardiocondyla in 2003 and the following synopsis is based on his excellent treatment of the genus. References to other publications and more details about what is reported here can be found in Seifert (2003). Many Cardiocondyla species inhabit areas that experience frequent disturbance and/or are quite open. These may be human altered areas, where a number of Cardiocondyla tramp species thrive, but also natural areas such as semi deserts and steppes, immature soils at rivers, lakes, and sea shores and to a lesser extent forest margins or burned-down woodland patches. In contrast to this open-land group, the natural habitat affinities of many tropical species are primary rain forests. Nests are typically in soil and sometimes under stones. Two species are known to nest in vegetation but this is unusual for the genus. The single nest entrances is small (1-1.5 mm) and inconspicuous. In the desert nests can be relatively deep (> 1m) and have many chambers but in areas where conditions are less extreme there is generally a single chamber (15-20 mm diameter and 3-4 mm height) that is not far below the ground surface (2-15 cm). Cardiocondyla tramp species (Cardiocondyla wroughtonii, Cardiocondyla obscurior, Cardiocondyla mauritanica, Cardiocondyla emeryi and Cardiocondyla minutior) are known to be polygynous, as are some less widespread species, while other species are known to be monogynous. Cardiocondyla ants are omnivorous. Zoophagy (zoo necrophagy and killing of small weakly sclerotised arthropods), granivory, and nectarivory have also been noted. Tandem running has been observed as a method of recruitment to food sources in a few species. Intranidal mating appears to be the norm for most species in the genus. Mating strategies are species dependent and may take various forms. Winged males may mate within their nest or fly to and enter other colonies to mate. Queen mate intranidally and fly from their nest to begin a new colony, become integrated into their natal colony, or may walk away from their nest and establish a new colony nearby. Cardiocondyla are unusual in having peculiar male forms. Male polymorphism is found in some species with typical males and an ergatoid form. These latter males are wingless and worker like in appearance. Ergatoid males fight with other males within their natal nest. By killing potential rival males, a dominant male can monopolize matings with the virgin queens in their colony. Morphological modifications that enhance the fighting abilities of ergatoid males have been documented, e.g., modified mandibles well suited to fighting and increased mesosomal size for better protection against attacks from rivals. Another unusual characteristic of ergatoid males is the continuation of spermatogenesis throughout their adult life. Males of most aculeate hymenoptera stop producing sperm once they are fully mature. Some species are known to produce different queen morphs. This presumably facilitates there being a longer range dispersal queen form and a shorter or non-dispersing form. Gyne polymorphism appears to be an adaptation for species inhabiting continental desert or semi-desert habitats. The cosmopolitan tramp species, on the other hand, do not exhibit this gyne polymorphism. ‎

Castes

Images from AntWeb

Paratype of Cardiocondyla tibetana. Worker. Specimen code casent0919737. Photographer Flavia Esteves, uploaded by California Academy of Sciences.	Owned by NHMW, Vienna, Austria.

• 

  Seifert (2023), Figs. 101–104. Cardiocondyla tibetana, paratype; Fig. 101: head in dorsal view; Fig. 102: lateral view (flipped horizontally); Fig. 103: dorsal view; Fig. 104: head surface between inner eye margin and paramedian vertex (flipped horizontally). China: Tarim: Ceele Station, 1966.08.26

Nomenclature

The following information is derived from Barry Bolton's Online Catalogue of the Ants of the World.

• tibetana. Cardiocondyla tibetana Seifert, 2003a: 269, fig. 49 (w.) CHINA (Tibet).
  • Type-material: holotype worker, 2 paratype workers.
  • Type-locality: holotype China: Tibet, S Taklamakan Desert, 36.52°N, 81.41°E, Cele Research Station, 26.viii.1996 (H. Heatwole); paratypes: 2 workers China: Tibet (no further data).
  • Type-depositories: SMNG (holotype); NHMW (paratypes).
  • Status as species: Guénard & Dunn, 2012: 41; Seifert, 2023a: 53 (diagnosis).
  • Distribution: China.

Type Material

• Holotype worker (the specimen with CW = 510) and 2 paratype workers labelled “S Takklamakan Desert: 81.41 E, 36.52 N, Cele Research Station, 1996.08.26”, Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde Görlitz
• 2 paratype workers pierced on minute pins in the same block of Sambucus pith and labelled “Tibet coll. G.Mayr”, Naturhistorisches Museum Wien, Vienna

Description

Worker

Head moderately elongated, CL/CW 1.161. Scape longer, frons narrower, and eye distinctly larger than in members of C. stambuloffii group; SLiCS 0. 849, FRS/CS 0.284, EYE 0.250. Postocular distance shorter than in Cardiocondyla gibbosa, PoOc/CL 0.424. Clypeus, frontal laminae, median and paramedian vertex very densely longitudinally carinulate-rugulose; distance between carinulae on central vertexonly 4 - 5 mm. Carinulae on lateral area of vertex interrupted and with much larger, more or less shining interspaces. Poorly visible hair base punctures of only 5 - 8 mm diameter scattered in the interspaces; many of hair bases without surrounding micropunctures (Fig. 49 shows no average situation). Foveolae completely absent. Posterior third of head almost glabrous, only scattered hair base punctures present. Pronotum glabrous. Dorsal parts of mesonotum and propodeum mainly smooth and shining, longitudinal carinulae may occur. Mesonotum laterally with interrupted, meso- and metapleurae with stronger, more continuous longitudinal rugulosity. Propodeal spines reduced to very short dents. Petiole much lower and postpetiole much narrower than in members of C. stambuloffii group, PEH/CS 0.3 1 6, PPW/CS 0.502. Petiole node wider than long. Whole body rather concolorous medium to blackish brown, appendages and sometimes clypeus lighter with yellowish tinge.

References

• Seifert, B. 2003. The ant genus Cardiocondyla (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Formicidae) - a taxonomic revision of the C. elegans, C. bulgarica, C. batesii, C. nuda, C. shuckardi, C. stambuloffii, C. wroughtonii, C. emeryi, and C. minutior species groups. Annalen des Naturhistorischen Museums in Wien Serie B Botanik und Zoologie. 104:203-338.
• Gratiashvili, N., Kuschel, L., Heinze, J. 2020. Morphometry and colony structure of ants of the genus Cardiocondyla (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Georgia. Zoology in the Middle East 66, 347–356 (doi:10.1080/09397140.2020.1835216).
• Seifert, B. 2022. The ant genus Cardiocondyla (Hymenoptera: Formicidae): The species groups with Oriental and Australasian origin. Diversity 15, 25 (doi:10.3390/d15010025).
• Seifert, B. 2023. A revision of the Palaearctic species of the ant genus Cardiocondyla Emery 1869 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 5274(1), 1–64 (doi:10.11646/zootaxa.5274.1.1).

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

• Guénard B., and R. R. Dunn. 2012. A checklist of the ants of China. Zootaxa 3558: 1-77.
• Seifert B. 2003. The ant genus Cardiocondyla (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Formicidae) - a taxonomic revision of the C. elegans, C. bulgarica, C. batesii, C. nuda, C. shuckardi, C. stambuloffii, C. wroughtonii, C. emeryi, and C. minutior species groups. Annalen des Naturhistorischen Museums in Wien. B, Botanik, Zoologie 104: 203-338.