Cardiocondyla dalmaticoides

Nothing is known concerning the biology of this endemic Turkish species.

Identification
Worker (Tab. 1, Figs. 14–17, key). Large, CS 614 µm. Head short, CL/CW 1.126. Postocular distance low, PoOc/CL 0.399. Scape long, SL/CS 0.855. Eye medium-sized, EYE/CS 0.242. Occipital margin straight or suggestively concave. Frons rather broad (FRS/CS 0.256), frontal carinae slightly converging immediately caudal of FRS level (FL/FR 1.044). Dorsal profile of promesonotum and of propodeum convex with a deep metanotal depression (Mgr/CS 4.43 %). Spines rather short but much more acute than in Cardiocondyla dalmatica and Cardiocondyla elegans (SP/CS 0.112), their axis in profile deviating by about 50° from longitudinal axis of mesosoma, their bases much more approached than in C. dalmatica (SPBA/CS 0.228). Petiole narrower than in C. dalmatica and elegans and much higher than wide (PeW/CS 0.296, PeH/CS 0.341); in profile with a long peduncle and a very steep anterior slope of the node (about 72° relative to ventral profile). Postpetiole rather wide and moderately high (PpW/CS 0.563, PpH/CS 0.291), in dorsal view suggestively heard-shaped, with a concave anterior margin and convex sides; postpetiolar sternite convex. Head in overall impression mildly shiny. Whole vertex with shallow, feebly bicoronate foveolae of 18–19 µm diameter, foveolar distance on paramedian vertex smaller than foveolar diameter, near to eyes larger; the interspaces between foveolae shiny and in places with fragments of a very delicate microreticulum (Fig. 17). Mesosoma more shiny than in C. dalmatica, with only suggestively developed microreticulum and microrugulae, a large number of foveolae present on dorsal promesonotum, their distance approximately equal to their diameter. Whole propodeum completely glabrous. Dorsum of waist glabrous. First gaster tergite glabrous. Pubescence on whole body long and dense, PLg/CS 6.97 %, sqPDg 3.95. Color of head, mesosoma, waist and gaster usually homogenously dark to medium brown; mandibles, scape, tibiae and tarsae yellowish brown.

Cardiocondyla dalmaticoides can be safely separated from C. dalmatica and C. elegans alone by the more approached spine bases and narrower petiole (Fig. 134). The glabrous surface of propodeum, the very acute propodeal spines and the high petiole with a very steep anterior profile of the node offer accessory means for separation.

Distribution
So far only known from two sites in Asia Minor between 100 and 1000 m a.s.l.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: Afghanistan.

Nomenclature

 * . Cardiocondyla dalmaticoides Seifert, 2023: 30, figs. 14-17 (w.) TURKEY.

Type Material

 * Holotype plus 2 paratype workers labelled “HATAY—2km N Reyhauli 50 km E Hatay 100 mH Straßenrand 1020 Leg. Schulz 09.06.93 TÜRKEI”; one paratype worker labelled “ANTALYA 2km S geris 40km NE Manavgat 1000 mH Straßenrand 1020 Leg. Schulz 06.06.93 TÜRKEI”; both samples deposited in SMN görlitz; at least two paratype workers labelled “HATAY—2km N Reyhauli 50 km E Hatay 100 mH Straßenrand 1022 Leg. Schulz 09.06.93 TÜRKEI”, in private collection of Andreas Schulz / Leverkusen.