Cataglyphis flavobrunnea

The original description notes that most specimens of this species were taken as single individuals.

Identification
Sharaf et al. (2015) - The original description of C. flavobrunnea indicated differential diagnosis of this taxon with Cataglyphis laevior of the C. bicolor-group, diehlii-complex (Agosti, 1990). However, examination of the newly designated lectotype and the remaining 11 paratypes indicates that the species are very different. Cataglyphis flavobrunnea has a uniformly brownish body and yellowish gaster whereas C. laevior has yellowish brown body and dark brown gaster. The head and mesosoma of C. flavobrunnea has dense white pubescence, whereas C. laevior lacks pubescence on the head and mesosoma. Collingwood and Agosti (1996) mentioned that head C. flavobrunnea is smooth and polished, but the head of the Lectotype is dull and is finely granulate.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates. Palaearctic Region: Oman.

Nomenclature

 *  flavobrunnea. Cataglyphis flavobrunneus Collingwood & Agosti, 1996: 378, fig. 41 (w.) OMAN.

Worker
Sharaf et al. (2015) - Major head. HW = HL (CI 100), minor the same with a shallowly convex posterior margin and nearly straight sides; first funicular segment 1.35× longer than second. Mesosoma. Metanotal spiracle distinctly raised. Petiole. Petiole in profile smoothly rounded but slightly assymetrical with the anterior more rounded and posterior near flat. Pilosity. Propodeal dorsum with two pairs of erect hairs; pronotum and mesonotum each with a single pair of erect hairs; posterior margin of head bare; gaster with sparse scattered and very short hairs; all body pubescence whitish or pale. Sculpture. Cephalic, mesosomal and petiolar surfaces finely punctate and dull, gaster smooth and shining. Colour. Head, mesosoma, petiole, coxae and femora brownish, antennae, tibiae and tarsi yellowish brown, gaster uniform dirty yellow.

TL 8.81; HL 1.92; HW 1.82 (major HL = HW = 2.31 Antweb scale); SL 2.21; FS1 0.38; FS2 0.28; PW 1.20; EL 0.53; Indices: CI 95 (Antweb image 100); EI 29; SI 121.

Type Material
Sharaf et al. (2015) - Saudi Arabia: Jeddah, 7.v.l978 (W. Buttiker), casent0249838; one paratype worker is designated here as lectotype; new designation.

The original description of C. flavobrunnea indicated differential diagnosis of this taxon with Cataglyphis laevior of the C. bicolor-group, diehlii-complex (Agosti, 1990). However, examination of the newly designated lectotype and the remaining 11 paratypes indicates that the species are very different (casent0104615). Cataglyphis flavobrunnea has a uniformly brownish body and yellowish gaster whereas C. laevior has yellowish brown body and dark brown gaster. The head and mesosoma of C. flavobrunnea has dense white pubescence, whereas C. laevior lacks pubescence on the head and mesosoma. Collingwood and Agosti (1996) mentioned that head C. flavobrunnea is smooth and polished, but the head of the Lectotype is dull and is finely granulate.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Borowiec L. 2014. Catalogue of ants of Europe, the Mediterranean Basin and adjacent regions (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Genus (Wroclaw) 25(1-2): 1-340.
 * Collingwood C. A., D. Agosti, M. R. Sharaf, A. Van Harten, 2011. Order Hymenoptera, family Formicidae. Arthropod Fauna of the UAE 4: 405-474
 * Collingwood C.A., D.Agosti, M.R. Sharaf, and A. van Harten. 2011. Order Hymenoptera, family Formicidae. Arthropod fauna of the UAE, 4: 405474
 * Collingwood, C. A., and Donat Agosti. "Formicidae (Insecta: Hymenoptera) of Saudi Arabia (Part 2)." Fauna of Saudi Arabia 15 (1996): 300-385.
 * Monks J., S. Ross, M. Geiser, J. De Prins, M. Sharaf, N. Wyatt, S. Al Rijeibi, and A. Polaszek. 2019. A preliminary survey of the insect fauna of the Hajar Mountain Range, Oman. Journal of Natural History 53(15-16): 939-963.
 * 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
 * Sharaf M. R., C. A. Collingwood, and A. S. Aldawood. 2015. Notes on the ant genus Cataglyphis Foerster, 1850 (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) in the Arabian Peninsula with description of a new species and a key to species of the C. pallida-group. Zookeys 545: 101-107.