Cardiocondyla opistopsis

Known only from two type workers collected in Kuwait, nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
Seifert (2003) - A member of the Cardiocondyla batesii group. By the unique character combination of the extremely low postocular index, the very large eyes, the very low petiole node, and the narrow postpetiole, C. opistopsis is not to be confused with any other Cardiocondyla species.

Seifert (2023) - Rather large, CS 553 µm. Head moderately elongated, CL/CW 1.171. Postocular index lower than in any species considered here, PoOc/CL 0.316. Hind margin of vertex rather straight or weakly concave. Scape rather long, SL/CS 0.825. Eye very large, EYE/CS 0.280. Median third of hind margin of head slightly concave. Frons moderately broad (FRS/CS 0.241), frontal carinae strongly converging immediately caudal of FRS level (FL/FR 1.122); dorsal extension of scape joint capsule in dorsal aspect strongly surpassing the frontal carinae laterad. Dorsal profile of promesonotum and of propodeum convex with a rather shallow metanotal depression (Mgr/CS 2.15 %). Spines very short and blunt, triangular (SP/CS 0.073), their assumed axis in profile deviating by about 50° from longitudinal axis of mesosoma, their bases more approached (SPBA/CS 0.234). Petiole very low, lower than wide (PeW/CS 0.283, PeH/CS 0.271); in profile with a more distinct peduncle and a semicircular node with the anterior slope appearing less steep than the caudal slope; node in dorsal aspect as wide as long and almost circular. Postpetiole narrower than in any related species and but not very low (PpW/CS 0.463, PpH/CS 0.259), in dorsal view not heard-shaped, with feebly concave anterior margin and convex sides; postpetiolar sternite completely flat. Clypeus rather smooth, with 4–5 weak longitudinal carinulae. Frontal laminae rather smooth, very delicately microreticulate-carinulate. vertex with numerous bicoronate foveolae of 17–19 µm diameter, the margins of foveolae only rarely breached by microrugulae running partially or entirely through the foveolae, foveolar interspaces about as wide as foveolar diameter, glabrous, with scattered fragments of fine cross-branched structures or microcarinulae. A narrow median stripe on vertex perfectly smooth, paramedian vertex only in its anterior part weakly longitudinally microcarinulate. Despite of microsculpture all parts of mesosoma and waist appear in overall impression rather shiny. Dorsal promesonotum irregularly microreticulate-carinulate, with scattered suggestions of foveolae. Whole lateral mesosoma reticulate but moderately shiny. Region of the metapleural gland bulla with 2–4 short and weak longitudinal carinae. Propodeum and petiole microreticulate; Postpetiole more shiny, with very delicate microreticulum. Pubescence on gaster tergites moderately long and moderately dense, PLg/CS 5.13 %, sqPDg 5.34. Whole body dark to medium brown.

As a combination of extremely small postocular index, petiolar height and postpetiolar width Cardiocondyla opistopsis is unmistakable.

Distribution
The species is only known from the type locality (Seifert, 2023).

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: Kuwait.

Nomenclature

 * . Cardiocondyla opistopsis Seifert, 2003a: 244, fig. 26 (w.) KUWAIT.
 * Type-material: holotype worker, 4 paratype workers.
 * Type-locality: holotype Kuwait: Burgan, 1988 (W. Büttiker), paratypes: 1 worker with same data, 3 workers Kuwait: 1985 (no collector’s name).
 * Type-depository: SMNG.
 * Status as species: Borowiec, L. 2014: 48.
 * Distribution: Kuwait.

Type Material

 * Holotype and 1 paratype worker labelled “KUWAIT: Burgan, 1 988 W. Buttiker”,
 * 3 worker paratypes labelled “KUWAIT: 1985”,

Worker
Scape rather long, SL/CS 0.825. Postocular index below range of any other species considered here, PoOc/CL 0.316. Occipital margin rather straight or weakly concave. Eyes very large, EYE 0.280. Clypeus rather smooth, with 4 - 5 weak longitudinal carinulae. Frontal laminae rather smooth, very delicately microreticulate-carinulate. Frontal carinae converging caudad. Dorsal extension of scape joint capsule in dorsal aspect clearly surpassing frontal carinae laterad. A small median stripe on vertex perfectly smooth, paramedian area of vertex only in anterior part weakly longitudinally microcarinulate. Vertex with numerous bicoronate foveolae of 17 - 19 mm diameter; foveolar interspaces about as wide as foveolar diameter, glabrous, with scattered fragments of fine cross-branched structures or microcarinulae. Despite of microsculpture, all parts of mesosoma and waist appearing in overall impression rather shining. Dorsal area of promesonotum irregularly microreticulate-carinulate, with scattered suggestions of foveolae. Propodeum and petiole microreticulate; postpetiole more shining, with very delicate microreticulum. Whole lateral area of mesosoma reticulate, but moderately shining. Region of metapleural gland bulla with 2 - 4 short and weak longitudinal carinae. Metanotal depression shallow. Spines reduced to short and sharp dents. Petiole with distinct peduncle and low node, which is in dorsal aspect as wide as long and almost circular. Postpetiolar sternite without any flat bulge. Whole body dark to blackish brown, mesosoma occasionally lighter.