Cardiocondyla rugulosa

Identification
Seifert (2003) - Cardiocondyla rugulosa is morphometrically similar to Cardiocondyla nigra. The highly diagnostic character of C. rugulosa is the presence of strongly developed longitudinal rugulae or carinulae on the vertex, which are much denser than in any related species. By the much denser and stronger sculpture the surface of head, mesosoma and petiole appears mat. The shallower metanotal groove and the more massive waist segments (with larger PEH/CS, PPH/CS, and PP/CS) provide additional criteria for separation from C. nigra.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Yemen.

Nomenclature

 *  rugulosa. Cardiocondyla rugulosa Seifert, 2003a: 244, fig. 25 (w.) YEMEN.

Worker
Scape rather short, SL/CS 0.789. Postocular distance smaller than in related species, PoOc/CL 0.344. Occipital margin notably excavated. Eyes large, EYE 0.267. Clypeus and frontal laminae finely longitudinally rugulose. Frontal carinae immediately posterior of FRS level parallel. Whole vertex densely and finely longitudinally rugulose. Foveolae of 14 - 18 mm diameter present on paramedian vertex, barely visible and embedded within rugulae (Fig. 25). Dorsal area of promesonotum with scattered foveolae, and weakly microreticulate between superimposed longitudinal rugulae. Propodeum and petiole irregularly microreticulate. Postpetiole more shining, with very delicate microreticulum. Pronotum laterally moderately shining and microreticulate. Lateral areas of mesonotum and mesopleuron reticulate and longitudinally rugulose. Metapleuron laterally with 5 - 7 weak, longitudinal carinae. Metanotal groove rather shallow. Spines steep, short and acute. Petiole node in dorsal and lateral aspect similar to Cardiocondyla batesii but more massive. Postpetiolar sternte without any flat bulge. Head, gaster, femora, and tibiae dark brown to blackish brown. Mesosoma and postpetiole dark brown with reddish component. Petiole light-orange brown.

Type Material
Holotype worker labelled “Yemen, Sana'a, 1991.05, leg. A. van Harten”,.