Key to Messor of Cyprus

Key to Messor species of Cyprus, based on Salata et al. (2023).

1

Head surface in both major and minor workers mostly smooth and shiny (Figs 5, 6, 19, 20). Head and gaster in major workers mostly black (Figs 2, 7, 8, 16-18). At least sides of head without erect hairs. Smaller species, WL in the largest major workers < 2.94 mm (mean for M. syriacus 2.42 and M. bucephalus 2.65) => 2
Head surface in major workers strongly sculptured with longitudinal and divergent striation (Fig. 13), in minor workers frontal part with longitudinal striation (Fig. 14). Head and gaster in both major and minor workers from yellowish brown to brown (Figs 9–12). Whole surface of head with numerous erect hairs. Larger species, WL in largest major workers up to 3.28 mm (mean 2.98) => Messor orientalis

Salata et al. (2023), Figs. 1–2. Holotype major worker of Messor bucephalus. (1) dorsal, (2) lateral (scale bar = 2 mm).
Salata et al. (2023), Figs. 5–6. Head of Messor bucephalus. (5) major worker, (6) minor worker (scale bar = 1 mm).
Salata et al. (2023), Figs. 7–8. Color variation of Messor bucephalus. (7) major worker of pale form, (8) minor worker of pale form (scale bar = 1 mm).
Salata et al. (2023), Figs. 9–10. Major worker of Messor orientalis. (9) dorsal, (10) lateral (scale bar = 2 mm).
Salata et al. (2023), Figs. 11–12. Minor worker of Messor orientalis. (11) dorsal, (12) lateral (scale bar = 1 mm).
Salata et al. (2023), Figs. 13–14. Head of Messor orientalis. (13) major worker (scale bar = 2 mm), (14) minor worker (scale bar = 1 mm).
Salata et al. (2023), Figs. 15–16. Major worker of Messor syriacus. (15) dorsal, (16) lateral (scale bar = 1 mm).
Salata et al. (2023), Figs. 17–18. Minor worker of Messor syriacus. (17) dorsal, (18) lateral (scale bar = 1).
Salata et al. (2023), Figs. 19–20. Head of Messor syriacus. (19) major worker, (20) minor worker (scale bar = 1 mm).
Salata et al. (2023), Figs. 21–22. Color variation of Messor syriacus. (21) the palest form, (22) the darkest form (scale bar = 1 mm).

Surface of first gastral tergite with long, suberect to erect hairs (Figs 1–4, 7, 8). Mesosoma usually completely black (Figs 1, 2), occasionally partly reddish (Figs 7, 8). Appressed pubescence on sides of head well marked (Figs 4, 7, 8) => Messor bucephalus
Surface of first gastral tergite without long, suberect to erect hairs, at most at base and close to posterior margin with few very short erect hairs (Figs 15–18, 21, 22). Mesosoma usually partly to completely red (Figs 16, 18, 21), only occasionally completely black (Fig. 22). Appressed pubescence on sides of head very short and sparse (Figs. 15–18, 21, 22) => Messor syriacus

Salata et al. (2023), Figs. 1–2. Holotype major worker of Messor bucephalus. (1) dorsal, (2) lateral (scale bar = 2 mm).
Salata et al. (2023), Figs. 3–4. Paratype minor worker of Messor bucephalus. (3) dorsal, (4) lateral (scale bar = 1 mm).
Salata et al. (2023), Figs. 7–8. Color variation of Messor bucephalus. (7) major worker of pale form, (8) minor worker of pale form (scale bar = 1 mm).
Salata et al. (2023), Figs. 15–16. Major worker of Messor syriacus. (15) dorsal, (16) lateral (scale bar = 1 mm).
Salata et al. (2023), Figs. 17–18. Minor worker of Messor syriacus. (17) dorsal, (18) lateral (scale bar = 1).
Salata et al. (2023), Figs. 21–22. Color variation of Messor syriacus. (21) the palest form, (22) the darkest form (scale bar = 1 mm).