Key to Holartic Cardiocondyla

This worker key is based on:

l

 * Postpetiolar sternite in anterodorsolateral view with prominent anterolateral corners and its anterior margin appearing concave in this viewing position. Minute species with CS < 470 . . . . . 2


 * Postpetiolar sternite in anterodorsolateral view without prominent anterolateral corners . . . . . 8

2
return to couplet #1
 * Head short (CL/CW < 1.19), Frons wider (FRS/CS > 0.254). C. wroughtonii group . . . . . 3


 * Head longer, frons narrower . . . . . 6

3
return to couplet #2
 * Very small (CL < 390); paramedian and lateral areas of vertex with densely arranged, deeply impressed, and flat-bottomed foveae of 19 - 23 mm diameter showing a well-demarcated central ring of 8 - 9 11m diameter, which is connected with the outer ring through 2 - 4 very fine micocarinulae. Borneo . . . . . Cardiocondyla nana


 * Larger (CL > 390); foveolae on paramedian areas of vertex smaller and with simpler internal structure or completely absent . . . . . 4

4
return to couplet #3
 * Clearly structured foveolae on head and mesosoma present. Outlines of promesonotal plane in dorsal view not trapezoid and without anterolateral corners . . . . . 5


 * Whole body surface without any clearly visible foveolae, carinulae, or rugae. Outlines of the promesonotal plane in dorsal view trapezoid and with blunt anterolateral corners. India . . . . . Cardiocondyla shagrinata

5
return to couplet #4
 * First and following gaster tergites not equally dark. Light morph: whole dorsum of gaster with light pigmentation except for a diffuse brown band in posterior half of 1st gaster tergite; D ark morph: the first gaster tergite may be almost entirely dark, but then following segments less dark. Use discriminant functions. Cosmopolitan tramp species . . . . . Cardiocondyla wroughtonii


 * First and following gaster tergites equally dark. Use discriminant functions. Cosmopolitan tramp species . . . . . Cardiocondyla obscurior

6
return to couplet #2
 * Spines long (SP/CS > 0. 1 6), Scape longer (SL/CS > 0.75) Afrotropical . . . . . 7


 * Spines and scape shorter. S of the Arab Peninsula . . . . . Cardiocondyla yemeni

7
return to couplet #6
 * Dorsal mesosoma profile from pronotum caudad to propodeum at spiracular level rather linear, convex curvatures only indicated, metanotal groove shallow. Pronotal shoulders more rounded . . . . . Cardiocondyla weserka


 * Dorsal promesonotal profile slightly convex, dorsal propodeal profile with stronger convexity. Metanotal groove well-developed, in profile with shallow (30°) anterior and posterior slopes. Pronotal shoulders well-developed, each forming a rounded angle of 120° . . . . . Cardiocondyla neferka

8
return to couplet #1
 * Foveolae on vertex reduced, but flat tubercles or pits of < 11 mm diameter present. Frons wide (FRS/CS > 0.28). Petiole about half as wide as postpetiole, PEW/PPW 0.46 - 0.53. Metanotal groove distinct. Spines reduced to blunt dents or corners. C. stambuloffii group . . . . . 9


 * At least one character strongly deviating . . . . . 12

9
return to couplet #8 < 0.835) . . . . . 10
 * Eye small (EYE < 0.240). Petiole high (PEH/CS > 0.335). Scape shorter (SL/CS


 * Eye larger. Petiole lower. Scape longer. Central Asia . . . . . Cardiocondyla tibetana

10
return to couplet #9
 * Pubescence on 1st gaster tergite shorter (PLG/CS < 7.2 %). Vertex with small tubercles of 6 - 10 mm diameter around bases of pubescence hairs, accessory semireticular structures may be present . . . . . 11


 * Pubescence on 1st gaster tergite longer (PLG/CS > 7 .2 %). Vertex without small tubercles or semireticulate structures, tiny pits around bases of pubescence hairs with diameters of 4 - 5 mm may be visible on paramedian vertex (better visible on the smooth posterior 40 % of head area). Central Asia . . . . . Cardiocondyla gibbosa

11
return to couplet #10
 * Petiole node in dorsal view small and circular. Spines very short and blunt. Caudodorsal propodeal profile not sloping down to spine base. Ratio postpetiolar width versus maximum median length of postpetiolar node 1.806 ± 0.065 [1.666, 1.919]. Spine bases less approached, SPBA/CS 0.287. S Europe east to Volga River, Near East, Caucasus . . . . . Cardiocondyla stambuloffii


 * Petiole node in dorsal view wider than long. Caudodorsal propodeal profile sloping down to spine base. Spines very short, but acute. Ratio postpetiolar width versus maximum median length of postpetiolar node 1 .704 ± 0.075 [1.612, 1.846]. Spine bases more approached, SPBA/CS 0.260. Kazakhstan east to Mongolia and Tibet. . . . . . Cardiocondyla koshewnikovi

12
return to couplet #8
 * FRS/PPH < 0.722. Small size, CS 3 8 6 - 457. Postpetiole as high as petiole and with conspicuous ventral bulge. Head elongated: CL/CW 1.19-1.27. Postocular index large (PoOc/CL 0.455 - 0.490). Spines moderately long. Cosmopolitan tramp species . . . . . Cardiocondyla emeryi


 * FRS/PPH > 0.722 . . . . . 13

13
return to couplet #12
 * Index PPH/PoOc*CL < 306. Small size (CS 379 - 450), Large postocular index (PoOc/CL 0.460 - 0.495), Low postpetiole (PPH/CS 0.249 - 0.0294). Gastral pubescence dense. Metanotal groove absent or very shallow. C. minutiar group . . . . . 14


 * Index PPH/PoOc*CL > 306. Character combination in at least one character different. . . . . . 20

14
return to couplet #13
 * Dorsum of vertex and mesosoma in overall impression mat. Vertex with well impressed foveolae of 13 - 18 mm diameter. Spines longer (SP/CS 0.104 - 0.147). Gastral pubescence distance much smaller (sqPDG 2.73 - 3.41) . . . . . 15


 * Dorsum of vertex and mesosoma in overall impression shining. Vertex with very shallow and small foveolae of 4 - 10 mm diameter; foveolar interspaces brilliantly shining and much wider than foveolar diameter, occasionally with fragments of very fine perifoveolar microreticulum. Spines shorter (SP/CS 0. 89). Gastral pubescence distance larger (sqPDG 4.25). Most probably Oriental . . . . . Cardiocondyla britteni

15
return to couplet #14
 * Cuticular surface of first gaster tergite shining, only a delicate, widely-meshed microreticulum may be present . . . . . 17


 * Cuticular surface of first gaster tergite mat, caused by very dense and fine shagreened microsculpture . . . . . 16

16
return to couplet #15
 * Scape much longer, SL/CS 0.836; spine bases much approached, SPBA/CS 0.254; waist segments much narrower, PEW/CS 0.245, PPW/CS 0.409; petiole low, PEH/CS 0.283. Foveolar interspaces on paramedian vertex only slightly smaller than foveolar diameter. India . . . . . Cardiocondyla opaca


 * Scape shorter, SL/CS 0.789; spine bases less approached, SPBA/CS 0.306; waist segments much wider, PEW/CS 0. 297, PPW/CS 0.482; petiole much higher, PEH/CS 0.348. Foveolar interspaces on paramedian vertex much lower than foveolar diameter. India . . . . . Cardiocondyla carbonaria

17
return to couplet #15
 * Scape longer (SL/CS 0.740 - 0.785). Postpetiolar sternite completely flat . . . . . 18


 * Scape shorter (SL/CS < 0.740). Postpetiolar sternite flat but with shallow anterolateral bulbs best visible in anterolaterodorsal view. Median third of vertex without foveolae. India . . . . . Cardiocondyla breviscapa

18
return to couplet #17
 * Very dark; mesosoma and dorsal head blackish brown, PigCap + PigMes 23 - 24. Use disciminant functions. India . . . . . Cardiocondyla goa


 * Lighter; mesosoma and dorsal head light-yellowish to dark dirty brown, PigCap + PigMes 10 - 21. Use disciminant functions . . . . . 19

19
return to couplet #18
 * Discriminant 0.3 PEW/CS + 4.0 PPW/CS + 0.7 PPH/CS > 2 .085. Colour of mesosoma varying from dark dirty brown to light-yellowish brown, usually without warm orange component. Cosmopolitan tramp species . . . . . Cardiocondyla minutior


 * Discriminant 0.3 PEW/CS + 4.0 PPW/CS + 0.7 PPH/CS < 2.085. Mesosoma with warm orange-yellowish tinge. Mainly Indo-Australian . . . . . Cardiocondyla tjibodana

20
return to couplet #13
 * Eyes large (EYE 0.249 - 0.283). Postocular index small (PoOc/CL 0.3 1 1 - 0.420) Postpetiole rather narrow (PPW/CS 0.463 - 0.551) . Anterior postpetiolar sternite completely flat, in median portion as flat as in more lateral portions; in lateral view its anterior profile changes into the helcium without a distinct angle. C. batesii group . . . . . 29


 * Eyes medium sized (EYE 0.224 - 0 .262). Postocular index larger (PoOc/CL 0.368 - 0.466) Postpetiole wider (PPW/CS 0.478 - 0.654). Anterior postpetiolar sternite in median portion significantly more produced than in paramedian portions; in lateral view this anteromedian bulge forms a small obtusely rounded corner that changes into the helcium with a distinct angle. C. elegans and C. bulgarica group . . . . . 21


 * Eyes small (EYE 0. 1 99 - 0.246). Postocular index large (PoOc/CL 0.413 - 0.492) Postpetiole narrow (PPW ICS 0.403 - 0.545) . . . . . 36

21
return to couplet #20


 * Petiole with a slender peduncle that is i n dorsal view 1.8 x as long as wide. Petiole low (PEH/CS 0.269 - 0.327), postpetiole low and narrow (PPH/CS 0.232 - 0.291, PPW/CS 0.448-0.556), postocular index small (PoOc/CL 0.368 - 0.396). Asia Minor to Afghanistan . . . . . Cardiocondyla brachyceps


 * Petiole with a thicker peduncle. Waist ratios and postocular index frequently larger . . . . . 22

22
return to couplet #21
 * Scape long (SL/CS 0.790 - 0.881), postocular index smaller (PoOc/CL 0.378 - 0.422), gastral pubescence long (PLG/CS 6.54 - 8.88 %). Compare with C. israelica. Mediterranean, Balkans, Asia Minor . . . . . Cardiocondyla elegans


 * SL/CS and PLG/CS smaller, PoOc/CL on average larger . . . . . 23

23
return to couplet #22
 * Spine base centre positioned very low (in lateral view at height level of spiracle); spines short (SP/CS 0.071). Frons very narrow (FRS/CS 0.225). Anterior profile of petiole only weakly concave. Foveolae on vertex small (dFov 14), their interspaces larger than foveolar diameter. PEW/PPW 0.498. Israel . . . . . Cardiocondyla gallilaeica


 * Spine base higher; frons wider . . . . . 24

24
return to couplet #23
 * Foveolae on vertex small (dFov 12 - 16), their interspaces wider than foveolar diameter. Petiole much narrower than postpetiole, PEW/PPW 0.480 - 0.566. Spine bases much approached (SPBA/CS 0.204 - 0.255)Ukraine to Tibet. . . . . Cardiocondyla ulianini


 * Foveolae on vertex larger (dFov 16 - 21), their interspaces as wide or smaller than foveolar diameter . . . . . 25

25
return to couplet #24
 * Postocular index smaller, PoOc/CL 0.42 1 . Petiole much narrower than postpetiole, PEW/PPW 0.512. Spine bases much approached, SPBA/CS 0.221. Vertex foveolae relatively deep and well-demarcated, bicoronate, densely-packed, interspaces much smaller than foveolar diameter. Anterior profile of petiole node relative to dorsal profile of peduncle steeper than in C elegans. Anteroventral petiolar dent reduced. Sinai, Israel . . . . . Cardiocondyla israelica


 * PoOc/CL and P EW/PPW larger . . . . . 26

26
return to couplet #25
 * Spine bases much approximated, SPBA/CS 0.223. Spines short, SP/CS 0.087. Width and height of waist segments low (PEW ICS 0.274, PEH/CS 0.306, PPW/CS 0.500, PPH/CS 0.277). Semideserts of Kazakhstan . . . . . Cardiocondyla littoralis


 * Spine bases wider, spines longer, width and height ratios of all waist segments larger . . . . . 27

27
return to couplet #26
 * Vertex with larger, more strongly demarcated foveolae with more pronounced inner corona and interspaces much narrower than foveolar diameter. Promesonotum usually showing in addition to foveolae a fine longitudinal rugosity. Gastral pubescence longer (PLG/CS 6.40 - 7.38 %), head shorter (CL/CW 1.123 - l.193). Anterior profile of petiole node relative to dorsal profile of peduncle steeper. Israel, Iran . . . . . Cardiocondyla persiana


 * Vertex with smaller, less strongly demarcated foveolae with less pronounced inner corona and l arger foveolar interspaces. Promesonotum more shining, only with scattered shallow foveolae and usually without fine longitudinal rugosity. Gastral pubescence shorter (PLG/CS 5 .04 - 6.96 %), head longer (CL/CW 1.153 - l.254). Anterior profile of petiole node relative to dorsal profile of peduncle less steep . . . . . 28

28
return to couplet #27
 * Brightness contrast between head and mesosoma low or absent (PigCap/PigMes l.00 - 1.43). Mesosoma with dirty brown colour component. Nest sample means of +0.048 CL/CW +0.176 SL/CS +0.94 EYE -0.126 PEH/CS +0.46 PEW/PPW -3.4 MGr/CS +0.53 sqrt(PigCap/PigMes) > 1.14. Tunisia, Near East, Asia M inor, Caucasus, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan . . . . . Cardiocondyla sahlbergi

2.00). Mesosoma with warm yellowish colour component occurring independently from variation in mesosomal darkness. Nest sample means of +0.048 CL/CW +0.176 SL/CS +0.94 EYE -0.126 PEH/CS +0.46 PEW/PPW -3.4 MGr/CS +0.53 sqrt(PigCaplPigMes) < 1.09. Balkans and Asia Minor . . . . . Cardiocondyla bulgarica
 * Brightness contrast between head and mesosoma expressed (PigCaplPigMes 1.14 -

29
return to couplet #20
 * Postocular index larger than 0.340 . . . . . 30


 * Postocular index smaller than 0.340. Eyes very large, EYE 0.278 - 0.283. Postpetiole very narrow, PPW/CS 0.454 - 0.467. Kuwait . . . . . Cardiocondyla opistopsis

30
return to couplet #29
 * Frontal lobes not or weakly converging immediately caudal of the FRS level, FL/FR < 1.12. Postocular distance smaller, PoOc/CL < 0.409 . . . . . 31


 * Frontal lobes strongly converging immediately caudal of the FRS level, FL/FR 1.15 - 1.19. Postocular distance larger, PoOc/CL 00409 - 00418. Jordan . . . . . Cardiocondyla tenuifrons

31
return to couplet #30
 * Whole vertex except of occipital third densely longitudinally rugulose-carinulate, more developed sculpture producing a mat surface appearance on head, mesosoma and petiole. Waist segments more massive than in C. nigra and C. bicoronata sp.n. Yemen . . . . . Cardiocondyla rugulosa


 * Less than 30 % of vertex longitudinally rugulose-carinulate . . . . . 32

32
return to couplet #31
 * Petiole node very massive (PEW/CS 0.300 - 0.369). Foveolae on vertex shallow, with weak inner corona; interspaces shining, slightly wider than foveolar diameter, and with fine, scattered, simple or cross-branched carinulae. Dorsal surface of head, gaster, coxae, femora, and tibiae dark to blackish brown; mesosoma and petiole reddish brown; postpetio1e, scape, and antennal club dark brown. Asia Minor . . . . . Cardiocondyla semirubra


 * Petiole node much less massive (PEW/CS 0.236 - 0.311) . . . . . 33

33
return to couplet #32
 * Gastral pubescence longer, PLG/CS > 6.6 %. Paramedian vertex with irregularly margined, bicoronate foveolae; the more sculptured interspaces with relatively strong perifoveolar rugae or cross-branched carinulae produce a less shining overall surface impression. Spines steep and acute, their angle deviating by 55 - 60° from longitudinal axis of mesosoma. Head blackish brown ; mesosoma and petiole reddish brown; postpetiole and gaster brown. Afghanistan . . . . . Cardiocondyla kushanica


 * Gastral pubescence shorter, PLG/CS < 6.7 %. Paramedian vertex with regularly circular foveolae; the more shining interspaces with only fine periioveolar rugae or cross-branched carinulae produce a more shining overall surface impression . . . . . 34

34
return to couplet #33
 * Postocular distance, spine base distance, as well as width and height of waist segments larger. Spines deviating by 45° from longitudinal mesosomal axis, rather long, but with blunt tip. Discriminant -0.228 SL/CS +3.88 SP/CS +0.93 PPW/CS +2.78 PEH/CS +2.27 PPH/CS + 1.03 PoOc/CL > 2.61. Posterior slope of petiole node much steeper than anterior slope; peduncle rather short and gradually melting with node. Usually bicoloured: dorsal head medium brown, mesosoma and waist light-orange brown, gaster dark brown; specimens with darker brown mesosomas occuring. S Iberia, Morocco, Algeria . . . . . Cardiocondyla batesii


 * Postocular distance, spine base distance, as well as width and height of waist segments smaller. Spines steeper, shorter and more acute. Discriminant -0.228 SL/CS +3.88 SP/CS +0.93 PPW/CS +2.78 PEHICS +2.27 PPH/CS + 1 .03 PoOc/CL < 2.62. Colour variable . . . . . 35

35
return to couplet #34
 * Paramedian vertex with well-demarcated, usually bicoronate foveolae. Pubescence on whole body more rough. Distribution of microsculpture on vertex more inhomogeneous, frontal laminae and vertex posterior of frontal laminae usually densely longitudinally carinulate. Israel, Jordan, Arab Peninsula, Turkestan . . . . . Cardiocondyla bicoronata


 * Foveolae on paramedian vertex with more irregular margins and a microcorrugated inner surface. Pubescence on whole body more appressed. Vertex in overall impression more homogeneously shining; frontal laminae and vertex posterior of the frontal laminae usually not densely carinulate. Cape Verde, S Iberia, Morocco to Sinai, Cyprus . . . . . Cardiocondyla nigra

36
return to couplet #20
 * Propodeal spines in lateral view appearing as blunt angles of 95 – 120°. Sides of postpetiole in dorsal view always rounded convex. Promesonotal and anterior propodeal profiles forming shallowly convex curvatures which together form a wide metanotal depression. C. shuckardi group . . . . . 37


 * Propodeal spines short, but appearing in lateral view as smaller angles of 60 - 95°. Sides of postpetiole in many species in dorsal aspect angulate-convex, outlines of postpetiole thus suggestedly hexagonal. Promesonotal and anterior propodeal profiles not forming evenly convex curvatures; as result, metanotal depression not as wide or absent. C. nuda group . . . . . 41

37
return to couplet #36
 * Head very short, CL/CW 1.13, gastral pubescence very short, PLG/CS 4.75 %; Large size, CS 610; small eyes, EYE 0.199. Iran . . . . . Cardiocondyla unicalis


 * Head more elongated, CL/CW 1.14-1.29, gastral pubescence longer, PLG/CS 5.3 - 8.1 % . . . . . 38

38
return to couplet #37
 * Head very long, CL/CW 1.22 - 1.29; scape rather short, SL/CS 0.80 - 0.84. Whole body dark to blackish brow . NE Africa and south of Arab Peninsula . . . . . Cardiocondyla melana

[note: worker of closely related, sympatric species C. longiceps sp.n. unknown; it should have CL/CW 1.27 and SL/CS 0.85].


 * Head shorter, CL/CW 1.14 - 1.23; character combination different . . . . . 39

39
return to couplet #38
 * Postpetiole wider, PPW/CS 0.45-0.49; Metanotal depression shallower; MGr 1.6-3.6; Scape rather short, SL/CS 0.79-0.84. Homogeneously medium to dark brown. SE Africa and Madagascar . . . . . Cardiocondyla shuckardi


 * Postpetiole narrower, PPW/CS 0.40-0.45; Metanotal depression deeper; MGr 2.5-6.2; Scape rather long, SL/CS 0.81-0.87 . . . . . 40

40
return to couplet #39
 * Eye larger, EYE 0.219-0.239. Whole body dark brown. Smaller, CS 467-572 mm. Africa, Carribean, Florida . . . . . . Cardiocondyla venustula


 * Eye smaller, EYE 0.201 - 0.217. Size bigger, CS 556 - 633 mm. Usual colour: head yellowish to dirty yellowish brown, mesosoma and waist yellowish, gaster dark to blackish brown. Dark morphs may occur. N Africa and S of Arab Peninsula . . . . . Cardiocondyla fajumensis

41
return to couplet #36
 * Postpetiole as high as petiole, PPH/CS 0.32 - 0.39 . . . . . 42


 * Postpetiole lower than petiole, PPH/CS 0.26 - 0.32 . . . . . 44

42
return to couplet #41
 * Australasian and Polynesian. Pubescence on dorsum of gaster longer, PLG/CS 5.6-7.3 %. Scape longer, SL/CS 0.77-0.8 3 . 4 3 . Eye larger, EYE 0.224-0.246 . . . . . 43


 * W Pa1aearctic. Pubescence on dorsum of gaster short, PLG/CS 4.6 %. Scape short, SL/CS 0.775. Frontal carinae widely separated, FRS/CS 0.289. Eye smaller, EYE 0.220. Tunisia . . . . . Cardiocondyla paranuda

43
return to couplet #42
 * Head much elongated, CL/CW 1.18-1.31. Dorsal pronotum and waist microsculptured, not shining. Petiole node in dorsal aspect longer than wide. PEW/PPW 0.515-0.604. Discriminant 2.0 CL/CW + 1 .8 SP/CS -0.7 PEW/CS >2.4 . . . . . Cardiocondyla nuda


 * Head shorter, CL/CW 1.17. Dorsal pronotum and waist shining. Petiole node in dorsal aspect as wide as long. PEW/PPW 0.592. Discriminant 2.0 CL/CW + 1.8 SP/CS -0.7 PEW/CS <2.4. Australia . . . . . Cardiocondyla atalanta

44
return to couplet #41
 * Postpetiolar sternite with either flat anteromedian bulb or small rectangular anteromedian corner. Width of postpetiole much larger than median node length, PPW/PPL 1.293- 1.383. Head much elongated, CL/CW 1.18-1.26. Promesonotum dorsally with foveolae of 16 - 18 mlm diameter. Whole body dark brown or blackish. Indonesia . . . . . Cardiocondyla strigifrons


 * Postpetiolar sternite without weak anteromedian prominence. Character combination in at least one character clearly deviating . . . . . 45

45
return to couplet #44
 * Nest sample means of discriminant D(6) = 2.8 SP/CS +2.8 PPW/CS +2.3 PEH/CS -0.34 SL/CS -5 PLG/CS - l.6 PEW/PPW < 0.74. SE Palaearctic, Indomalayan, Polynesian . . . . . Cardiocondyla kagutsuchi


 * Nest sample means of discriminant 0(6) = 2.8 SP/CS +2.8 PPW/CS +2.3 PEH/CS -0.34 SL/CS -5 PLG/CS - 1.6 PEW/PPW > 0.74. Cosmopolitan tramp species . . . . . 46

46
return to couplet #45
 * Dorsal propodeal profile not sloping down in posterior half. Propodeal spines not very blunt. Whole body more slender: Head longer, waist segments narrower and lower, CL/CW 1.13 - 1.22, PEW/CS 0.23-0.30, PPW/CS 0.46-0.53, PEH/CS 0.31 - 0.35, PPH/CS 0.27-0.32. Spiracles of waist segments not situated on high conical tubercles. Postpetiole with angulate-convex sides in dorsal view. Cosmopolitan tramp species . . . . . Cardiocondyla mauritanica


 * Dorsal propodeal profile sloping down in posterior half. Propodeal spines reduced to rectangular or obtusely angled corners. Whole body more thickset: Head shorter, waist segments wider and higher, CL/CW 1.11 - 1.18, PEW/CS 0.28-0.34, PPW/CS 0.48-0.55, PEH/CS 0.34-0.38, PPH/CS 0.29-0.32. Spiracles of waist segments frequently situated on high conical tubercles. Postpetiole with more rounded sides in dorsal view. S Iberia, Sinai. Mutant of C. mauritanica? . . . . . Cardiocondyla mauritanica (morph B)