Cataglyphis saharae

The synonym Cataglyphis laylae was reported to be most abundant in disturbed habitats such as man-developed plantations and open cultivated fields. (Collingwood et al. 2011)

Identification
Collingwood et al. (2011) for synonym C. laylae - One of the commonest Calaglyphis in southern Arabia. The main distinguishing feature compared with other dark Cataglyphis is the slender petiole, which has the anterior face more sloped than in other similar species such as Cataglyphis niger (Andre, 1882) and Cataglyphis savignyi.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates. Palaearctic Region: Algeria, Oman.

Nomenclature

 *  saharae. Cataglyphis (Cataglyphis) bicolor st. saharae Santschi, 1929b: 48, fig. 3 (w.) ALGERIA. Raised to species: Collingwood, 1985: 291. Senior synonym of laylae: Sharaf, Collingwood & Aldawood, 2015: 113.
 * laylae. Cataglyphis laylae Collingwood, in Collingwood, et al. 2011: 458, pl. 96-103 (w.) UNITED ARAB EMIRATES. Junior synonym of saharae: Sharaf, Collingwood & Aldawood, 2015: 113.

Worker
Collingwood et al. (2011) for C. laylae: total length 8.40; head width 3.60; head length 4.20; scape lenglh 3.84; funicular segment I 0.40; funicular segment II 0.23; petiole length 1.10; petiole width 0.72. Colour dark reddish brown. There are no exterior hairs on the scapes or hind tibia. The gaster, petiole and propodeum have dorsal hairs.