Messor asmaae

The type locality is a mountainous region with a substantial variety of cultivated plants mainly rose (Rosa sp.) plantations. The new species was found nesting in the soil under a stone where the soil was relatively moist, rich in organic matter, and close to a date palm tree.

Identification
Sharaf et al. (2018) - Aphaenogaster asmaae appears to be most similar to Aphaenogaster isekram, from Algeria. The two species are similar in size, colour, and body sculpture. Both species have the head, mesosoma, petiole, and postpetiole yellow-brown, antennae and legs yellow, and gaster dark brown or black-brown. In addition, the body is smooth and shining with fine transverse rugae on propodeal dorsum. However, A. asmaae can be readily separated from A. isekram by the following characters: masticatory margin of mandibles armed with eight teeth, propodeum armed with a pair of distinct minute dents, and propodeal dorsum finely, transversely rugulose (ca 20 rugae). In A. isekram, the masticatory margin of mandibles armed with 6–7 teeth, the propodeum lacks propodeal dents. The propodeum is broadly angulate in profile, and propodeal dorsum densely transversely rugulose (more than 30 rugae). In addition, A. asmaae has lower frontal lobes index (FLI 46–59 versus FLI 76 in isekram), and lower postpetiole index (PPI1 80–91 versus PPI1 125 in isekram).

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: Oman.

Nomenclature

 *  asmaae. Aphaenogaster asmaae Sharaf, in Saraf, Fisher et al., 2018: 13, figs. 4a-c (w.) OMAN.

Worker
Holotype. BL 5.12; CW 0.17; DPSB 0.15; DPST 0.20; EL 0.32; FLW 0.37; HL 1.30; HTL 1.50; HW 1.02; ML 1.62; PH 0.25; PL 0.22; PNW 0.65; PPH 0.25; PPL 0.22; PPW 0.20; PSL 0.22; PW 0.20; SDL 0.20; SL 1.50; TL 0.55. Indices: CL 17; EI 31; FLI 46; HTI 147; MI 249; PI1 88; PI2 22; PPI1 88; PPI2 22; PSI 167; SI1 115; SI2 147; SPI1 22; SPI2 110.

Paratypes. BL 4.40– 5.30; CW 0.22–0.25; DPSB 0.09–0.15; DPST 0.14–0.22; EL 0.30–0.37; FLW 0.34–0.45; HL 1.18–1.25; HTL 1.32–1.40; HW 0.94–1.07; ML 1.50–1.75; PH 0.22–0.27; PL 0.18–0.27; PNW 0.63–0.67; PPH 0.20–0.22; PPL 0.16–0.20; PPW 0.14–0.22; PSL 0.17–0.18; PW 0.17–0.18; SDL 0.16–0.20; SL 1.27–1.30; TL 0.50–0.59. Indices: CL 21–23; EI 32–35; FLI 56–59; HTI 131–140; MI 238–261; PI1 82–100; PI2 19–25; PPI1 80– 91; PPI2 17–19; PSI 147–222; SI1 104–108; SI2 121–135; SPI1 16–19; SPI2 85–113 (n=2).

Head. In full-face view distinctly longer than broad with nearly parallel sides and straight posterior margin; posterior head corners clearly rounded; eyes relatively large (EL 0.31–0.34 × HW) with about 18 ommatidia in the longest row; anterior clypeal margin clearly convex; scapes long (SL 1.21–1.47× HW); masticatory margin of mandibles armed with eight teeth, the first (counting from apex) is the largest. Mesosoma. Promesonotum convex in profile; promesonotal suture shallowly impressed in profile; metanotal groove deeply impressed in profile; propodeal dorsum about twice longer than declivity in profile; propodeal spines minute upward directed dents; pronotum about twice broader than mesonotum in dorsal view. Petiole. In profile with long peduncle and low dorsal node (PI1 82–100), in dorsal view slightly longer than broad. Postpetiole. Node in the same level of petiolar node in profile. Sculpture. Cephalic surface smooth and shining; genae and mandibles longitudinally rugulose; promesonotal dorsum, sides, and gaster smooth and shining, petiole and postpetiole faintly superficially reticulate; mesonotum, mesopleuron, metapleuron, and propodeum transversally rugulose. Pilosity. Cephalic, gular and mandibular surfaces with scattered suberect setae; anterior clypeal margin with 10 exceptionally longer setae (seta length 0.34 × HW); scape and antenna with abundant appressed setae; promesonotum and mesonotum with few suberect setae; propodeum with three short pairs of setae; petiole with two pairs of setae, postpetiole with three pairs of backward directed setae; gaster with abundant scattered setae. Colour. Head, mesosoma, petiole, and postpetiole yellow-brown, legs yellow, gaster yellow-brown, dark brown or black.

Type Material
Holotype worker. Oman: Jebel Akhdar, Alain, 23.07279°N, 57.66179°E, 1949 m, 04.iv.2016, (M. R. Sharaf leg.) (CASENT0922290, ). Paratype workers. KSA: Al Bahah, Dhi Ayn Archeological Village, 19.92796°N, 41.44187°E, 735 m, 23.ix.2011, (B. L. Fisher leg.), Banana field, (1 w, CASENT0264212, KSMA; 1 w, CASENT0264214, ).

Etymology
The patronym asmaae has been selected in honor of Eng. Asmaa Khater, Jeddah, KSA.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Sharaf M. R., B. L. Fisher, H. M. Al Dhafer, A. Polaszek, and A. S. Aldawood. 2018. Additions to the ant fauna (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of Oman: an updated list, new records and a description of two new species. Asian Myrmecology 10: e010004