Cardiocondyla bicoronata

Nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
Seifert (2003) - A member of the Cardiocondyla batesii group. Cardiocondyla bicoronata is morphometrically almost identical with Cardiocondyla nigra, a parapatric sibling species. Structural differences in the workers are the well-demarcated, usually bicoronate foveolae on paramedian vertex (in C. nigra the foveolae have diffuse margins and a microcormgated inner surface) and the more rough pubescence on head, mesosoma, waist, and gaster.

The C. bicoronata gynes differ from Cardiocondyla batesii, Cardiocondyla kushanica and C. nigra by the well-demarcated, dense, and bicoronate vertex foveolae, by the paramedian area of vertex densely and clearly longitudinally carinulate, by the longitudinally carinulate-mgulose mesonotum and scutellum, and by strongly rugulose lateral metapleuron.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: United Arab Emirates, Yemen. Palaearctic Region: Israel, Jordan.

Nomenclature

 *  bicoronata. Cardiocondyla bicoronata Seifert, 2003a: 242, figs. 21, 22 (w.q.) JORDAN.

Worker
Head moderately elongated, CL/CW 1.171. Postocular index very small, PoOC/CL 0.365. Occipital margin slightly concave. Scape rather long, SL/CS 0.812. Eyes large, EYE 0.261. Frontal carinae immediately posterior of FRS level slightly converging. Dorsum of head with fine longitudinal microsculpture on median and paramedian areas of vertex. Small median stripe frequently smooth. Vertex with shallow, but well-demarcated and usually bicoronate foveolae of 17 - 19 mm diameter; interspaces shining, about as wide as foveolar diameter and with reduced microrugulae. Mesosoma moderately shining, finely microreticulate-carinulate; dorsal area of promesonotum with shallow foveolae; lateral area of metapleuron with relatively strong longitudinal rugosity. Propodeal spines acute and rather steep. Petiole profile with a short anterior peduncle, an ample node that is weakly produced caudad and, compared to C. batesii, usually with more concave anterior face. Petiole in dorsal view with elongated node, which more or less gradually merges with anterior peduncle. Postpetiolar sternite without any flat bulge. Colour polymorphism. Most frequent colour pattern in the Near East: dorsal head and gaster blackish brown; mesosoma and petiole reddish brown; postpetiole, coxae, femora and tibiae dark brown. Concolorous blackish brown (most similar in general appearance to Cardiocondyla nigra) or concolorous dirty yellowish brown samples (those from Turkestan) may occur.

Queen
Head moderately elongated, CL/CW 1.178. Postocular index small, PoOc/CL 0.374. Occipital margin slightly concave. Scape long SL/CS 0.786. Lateral clypeus, frontal laminae, and paramedian area of vertex longitudinally carinulate-rugulose; small median stripe of vertex usually glabrous. Vertex with well-demarcated, bicoronate foveolae of 19 mm diameter; interspaces narrower than foveolar diameter and with fine microcarinulae. Pronotum, mesonotum, and praescutellum rather deeply foveolate-carinulate-rugulose. Scutellum with few long rugae. Anepistemite weakly and lateral metapleuron strongly longitudinally rugulose. Propodeal spines shorter and more acute than in C. batesii. Petiole shape similar to situation in the type of C. nigra: in dorsal view with globular node and long and distinct anterior peduncle. Occiput, mesosoma, waist, and gaster with rough pubescence erected at 30 - 45°. Head and gaster dark brown. Mesonotum frequently blackish brown, then with contrasting, lighter brown, V-shaped area; mesonotum less frequently concolorous light-brown; remaining mesosoma and petiole usually light-brown. Darker, rather concolorous specimens may occur, but contrasting V-pattern on mesonotum often visible. Gynes from Israel: Mikhmoret-1980.10.21 and UAE: Alain Zoo-1996 brachypterous, unable to fly, length of forewing 1300 mm, 1220 mm.

Type Material
Holotype worker, 2 paratype workers, 1 paratype gyne labelled “JORDANIA: 1996.03.21, Shaumari Wildlife Reserve, 31.47N 36.42E, leg. Dietrich No 5” and 3 worker paratypes labelled “JORDANIA: 1996.03.21, Shaumari Wildlife Reserve, 31.47N 36.42E, leg. Dietrich No 6”;. 5 paratype gynes labelled “JORDANIA: 1996.03.21, Shaumari Wildlife Reserve, 31.47N 36.42E, leg. Dietrich No 6”;.