Messor arenarius

Identification
Collingwood and Agosti (1996) - HW 3.4-4.5; EL/HW 0.165. This is by far the largest Messor species in the Middle East. The subcephalic hairs are numerous but do not form a distinct psammophore. All body surfaces are covered with erect hairs. The propodeum is armed with short strong spines. The general body colour is brownish black but the alitrunk is occasionally somewhat reddish and such examples appear little different from Messor regalis of sub-Saharan Africa, sharing the same features: short first funiculus segment, pectinate tibial spurs, thick body pilosity, spined propodeum and rugose body sculpture extending to the first gastral tergite.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Saudi Arabia. Palaearctic Region: Algeria, Israel, Kuwait, Tunisia.

Nomenclature

 *  arenarius. Formica arenaria Fabricius, 1787: 310 (w.) NORTH AFRICA. André, 1883b: 366 (q.); Emery, 1891b: 12 (q.m.); Forel, 1902a: 148 (m.). Combination in Aphaenogaster: Roger, 1863b: 29; in A. (Messor): Forel, 1890a: lxx; in Messor: Forel, 1894d: 45; in Stenamma (Messor): Emery, 1898c: 125; in Messor: Emery, 1908e: 439. Senior synonym of amaurocyclia, scalpturata: Roger, 1862c: 292; of bugnioni: Forel, 1904f: 424; of beduinus: Cagniant, 2006a: 197. Current subspecies: nominal plus alfierii, diabolus, ratus, thebaicus. See also: Emery, 1908e: 439; Santschi, 1938a: 32.
 * beduinus. Messor barbarus st. beduinus Emery, 1922c: 93 (w.) TUNISIA. [First available use of Messor barbarus subsp. striativentris var. beduina Emery, 1908e: 453; unavailable name.] Santschi, 1910a: 45 (q.); Santschi, 1926e: 234 (m.). Raised to species: Santschi, 1923a: 134; Santschi, 1923f: 320. Junior synonym of arenarius: Cagniant, 2006a: 197. See also: Finzi, 1940: 157.
 * amaurocyclia. Myrmica amaurocyclia Foerster, 1850b: 486 (w.) ALGERIA. Junior synonym of arenarius: Roger, 1862c: 292.
 * scalpturata. Myrmica scalpturata Nylander, 1856b: 83 (w.) ALGERIA. Junior synonym of arenarius: Roger, 1862c: 292.
 * bugnioni. Stenamma (Messor) bugnioni Forel, 1904c: 13 (w.) ALGERIA. Junior synonym of arenarius: Forel, 1904f: 424.