Lepisiota omanensis

The type locality of this species, Jebel Qahwan, is located in the Eastern Hajar Mountains, an area with substantial floral and faunal biodiversity. The two paratypes from UAE were collected at Ain Al Waal (Huw Hoberts, pers. comm.). This site is characterised by areas with rocks and boulders surrounding semi-permanent pools near a dam. The water in the pools is used by the endangered Arabian tahr, Arabitragus jayakari (Thomas). Lepisiota omanensis seems to have an association with the plants Ochradenus arabicus Chaudhary, Hillc. & A.G.Mill. (Resedaceae), but two other plants are also present in the area, Aerva javanica (Amaranthaceae) and Tephrosia apollinea (Fabaceae). A nest was observed about a metre away from the base of a Lycium shawii (Solanaceae) plant. The two paratype workers were observed carrying leaf material.

Identification
Sharaf et al. (2016) - Lepisiota omanensis is a member of the Lepisiota gracilicornis group. This ant is readily distinguished from from all Arabian species, and other species in the group, by the exceptionally long, acute and strongly curved propodeal spines. Lepisiota omanensis is superficially similar to Lepisiota spinisquama but can be easily distinguished by the following: L. omanensis is black, shining and has longer and more strongly curved propodeal spines, which appear in profile much higher than the petiolar spines. Also, this species has a greater cephalic index (CI 86–88), lower petiolar height (0.25–0.37) and very little pubescence on the body surface. Lepisiota spinisquama is brown, slightly shining and has the propodeal spines shorter, lower and nearly at the same level as the petiolar spines in profile. In addition, it has a smaller cephalic index (CI 79) and a slightly higher petiole (0.41), and appressed pubescence is abundant on the body surface.

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

Nomenclature

 *  omanensis. Lepisiota omanensis Sharaf & Monks, 2016: 4, figs. 2A-E (w.) OMAN.

Worker
Holotype. EL 0.17, HL 0.75, HW 0.65, PH 0.31, PRW 0.48, PSL 0.25, SL 1.00, TL 3.31, WL 1.25. Indices: CI 87, OI 26, PSLI 33, SI 154.

Paratypes. EL 0.20, HL 0.57–0.70, HW 0.50–0.60, ML 0.20, PH 0.25–0.37, PRW 0.35–0.42, PSL 0.11–0.22, SL 1.15–1.40, TL 2.25–3.50, WL 1.05–1.35. Indices: CI 86–88, OI 33–40, PSLI 19–31, SI 230–233 (n = 2).

Head. Distinctly longer than broad, with straight posterior margin and shallowly convex lateral margins; antennal scape when laid back from its insertion surpassing the posterior margin of head by more than half of its length; eyes of moderate size (EL 0.26–0.40 × HW).

Mesosoma. Elongate with a narrow mesonotum; propodeal spines exceptionally long, acute and strongly curved (PSLI 19–33).

Petiole. Bispinose dorsally.

Pilosity. Posterior margin of head with a single pair of stiff, short setae; anterior clypeal margin with three pairs of long setae; mesosoma bare except for a single pair of setae on pronotum, gastral pilosity restricted to few setae on posterior margins of tergites and sternites, all body surface with pale scattered appressed pubescence.

Sculpture. Overall smooth and shining.

Colour. Uniform black with purple reflections on the face and gaster, antennae and mandibles yellow-brown.

Type Material
Holotype worker Oman, Hajar Mountains, Jebel Qahwan, (Figure 3A), 19 April 2012, 22°9ʹ9.36ʺN, 59° 22ʹ19.8ʺE, 305 m, (J. Monks); the holotype is temporarily deposited in pending the completion of the new Oman Natural History Museum. Paratype workers Two workers, Oman, base of Jebel Akhdar, near to Birkat Al-Mouz, 25 March 2016, 22°57ʹ17.58ʺN, 57°39ʹ40.92ʺE, 619 m, (J. Monks) one in ONHM and one in ; two workers, United Arab Emirates, Ain Al Waal at the foot of Jebel Hafeet, 11 March 2014, 24°4ʹ2.57ʺN, 55°44ʹ56.05ʺE, (Huw Roberts); deposited in KSMA.

Etymology
Named after the country of the type locality.