Strongylognathus kabakovi

This species is known from a single queen specimen. Its biology is unknown.

Identification
Radchenko and Duibovikoff (2011) - S. kabakovi belongs to the huberi species-group of the genus Strongylognathus. Among all previously described species of this group, only Strongylognathus minutus, known form Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and southern Kazakhstan, has very small queens (AL < 1.20 versus > 1.60 in other species).

S. kabakovi well differs from all species of this group by its small queen size, except for S. minutus . On the other hand, it well distinguishes from the latter by the combination of features, which is emphasized below.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: Afghanistan.

Castes
Known only from the queen caste.

Nomenclature

 *  kabakovi. Strongylognathus kabakovi Radchenko & Dubovikoff, 2011: 808, figs. 1, 3, 5 (q.) AFGHANISTAN.

Queen
HL 0.80, HW 0.70, SL 0.50, AL 1.19, AH 0.55, SCL 0.88, SCW 0.47, PL 0.32, PH 0.33, PW 0.25, PPL 0.24, PPH 0.36, PPW 0.39; HL/HW 1.14, SL/HL 0.63, SL/HW 0.72, AL/AH 2.18, SCL/SCW 1.34, PL/HW 0.46, PL/PH 0.98, PW/HW 0.36, PPL/HW 0.34, PPL/PPH 0.65, PPW/HW 0.56, PPW/PW 1.56.

Head longer than broad, somewhat widened posteriorly, with very weakly convex sides, narrowly rounded occipital corners; occipital margin shallowly, but distinctly concave medially, posterio-lateral corners of head rounded, not prominent; anterior clypeal margin straight. Scape short, does not reach the level of lateral ocelli. Alitrunk long and low, mesonotal dorsum flattened, dorsal surface of propodeum distinctly shorter than posterior one, propodeum with short, while sharp triangular denticles. Anterior surface of petiole concave, posterior one steep, slightly convex, meets with anterior surface at an acute angle to form transversal dorsal crest, peduncle quite short; ventral surface of petiole anteriorly with small rounded lamina. Postpetiole distinctly higher than length.

Body generally with fine sculpture, surface appears shiny. Lower part of frons with fine longitudinal striation, genae and temples with somewhat coarser longitudinal striation; surface of head dorsum in addition finely superficially micropunctated (except for central strip of frons, frontal triangle and clypeus smooth). Surface of gaster with fine superficial polygonal microsculpture.

Central part of scutum with fine longitudinal striation and micropunctures, the rest of scutum and scutellum smooth. Sides of alitrunk, whole propodeum and waist finely punctated.

Not hairy species. On head, two long erect curved setae present on occipital corners, and a few similar ones – on clypeus; ventral surface of head hairless. Alitrunk and gaster with a few scattered long setae (they more abundant on the posterior gastral segments), petiolar node with four very long curved setae, postpetiole with four similar setae and two much shorter erect hairs. Head, alitrunk and waist without decumbent pubescence; gaster with short and very sparse decumbent pubescence, distance between hairs 3-4 times longer than their length. Scape and legs with short, not abundant decumbent hairs.

Body colour brownish-red, appendages somewhat lighter.

Etymology
The species is dedicated to the Russian entomologist, O. N. Kabakov (St.Petersburg), who collected the type specimen.