Cardiocondyla tibetana

Nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
Seifert (2003) - A member of the Cardiocondyla stambuloffii group. The unique character combination of Cardiocondyla tibetana enables a safe distinction from any known Palaearctic species both by morphometry, body shape, and microstructures. The minute hair base punctures and full absence of any foveolae on the vertex, as well as the shape of the spines and postpetiole are the reasons for positioning C. tibetana near the Cardiocondyla stambuloffii group. However, the larger eye size, the narrower frons, the lower petiole height and postpetiole width indicate affinities to both the Cardiocondyla elegans and the Cardiocondyla bulgarica groups.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: Tibet. Palaearctic Region: China.

Nomenclature

 * . Cardiocondyla tibetana Seifert, 2003a: 269, fig. 49 (w.) CHINA (Tibet).
 * Type-material: holotype worker, 2 paratype workers.
 * Type-locality: holotype China: Tibet, S Takklamakan Desert, 36.52°N, 81.41°E, Cele Research Station, 26.viii.1996 (no collector’s name); paratypes: 2 workers China: Tibet (no further data).
 * Type-depositories: SMNG (holotype); NHMW (paratypes).
 * Status as species: Guénard & Dunn, 2012: 41.
 * Distribution: China.

Worker
Head moderately elongated, CL/CW 1.161. Scape longer, frons narrower, and eye distinctly larger than in members of C. stambuloffii group; SLiCS 0. 849, FRS/CS 0.284, EYE 0.250. Postocular distance shorter than in Cardiocondyla gibbosa, PoOc/CL 0.424. Clypeus, frontal laminae, median and paramedian vertex very densely longitudinally carinulate-rugulose; distance between carinulae on central vertexonly 4 - 5 mm. Carinulae on lateral area of vertex interrupted and with much larger, more or less shining interspaces. Poorly visible hair base punctures of only 5 - 8 mm diameter scattered in the interspaces; many of hair bases without surrounding micropunctures (Fig. 49 shows no average situation). Foveolae completely absent. Posterior third of head almost glabrous, only scattered hair base punctures present. Pronotum glabrous. Dorsal parts of mesonotum and propodeum mainly smooth and shining, longitudinal carinulae may occur. Mesonotum laterally with interrupted, meso- and metapleurae with stronger, more continuous longitudinal rugulosity. Propodeal spines reduced to very short dents. Petiole much lower and postpetiole much narrower than in members of C. stambuloffii group, PEH/CS 0.3 1 6, PPW/CS 0.502. Petiole node wider than long. Whole body rather concolorous medium to blackish brown, appendages and sometimes clypeus lighter with yellowish tinge.

Type Material
Holotype worker (the specimen with CW = 510) and 2 paratype workers labelled “S Takklamakan Desert: 81.41 E, 36.52 N, Cele Research Station, 1996.08.26”, ; 2 paratype workers pierced on minute pins in the same block of Sambucus pith and labelled “Tibet coli. G.Mayr”,.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Guénard B., and R. R. Dunn. 2012. A checklist of the ants of China. Zootaxa 3558: 1-77.
 * Seifert B. 2003. The ant genus Cardiocondyla (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Formicidae) - a taxonomic revision of the C. elegans, C. bulgarica, C. batesii, C. nuda, C. shuckardi, C. stambuloffii, C. wroughtonii, C. emeryi, and C. minutior species groups. Annalen des Naturhistorischen Museums in Wien. B, Botanik, Zoologie 104: 203-338.