Messor syriacus

Pashaei Rad et al. (2018) found this species in Iran on the ground in moderate to low rainfall areas.

Identification
Collingwood and Agosti (1996) - HW 1.7-2.3; EL/HW 0.24-0.28. This species has large eyes and a well-developed psammophore. The propodeum is rounded in profile, not angulate.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Saudi Arabia. Palaearctic Region: Armenia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Syrian Arab Republic, Turkey.

Nomenclature

 *  syriacus. Messor syriacus Tohmé, G. 1969: 9 (w.m.) SYRIA. [First available use of Messor minor st. laboriosus var. syriacus Santschi, 1927c: 241; unavailable name.] Tohmé, G. & Tohmé, H. 1981: 146 (m.q.). Subspecies of minor: Arnol'di, 1977b: 1640; Arakelian, 1994: 37. Revived status as species: Tohmé, G. & Tohmé, H. 1981: 145; Collingwood, 1985: 252.

Type Material
Salata & Borowiec (2019): syntype (w.): M. aralocaspius | laboriosus | v. syriacus Sanschi || TYPE || Syrie | Damas. | G. de Kerville || Sammlung | Dr. F. Santschi || Kairouan || ANTWEB | CASENT0913178 (NHMB).