Crematogaster antaris

This is a very widespread and common species, which appears to be one of the most arid-adapted species within the genus (Sharaf et al., 2019).

Identification
Collingwood and Agosti (1996) - HW 1.08-1.45; C1 104-114; PL/PW 0.68-0.715. Crematogaster aegyptiaca is sometimes as red as the deserticolous C. antaris but is usually darker, more rugose and pubescent; the petiole is wider with the anterolateral corners produced and wing-like in full dorsal view. Queens of C. antaris are larger, have the head and alitrunk red and have characteristic lateral striae on the occiput.

Distribution
Sharaf et al. (2019): Originally described from Algeria, C. antaris is also found in Morroco, Tunisia, Egypt, and Iran (Sharaf 2006; Paknia et al. 2008; Vonshak and Ionescu-Hirsch 2009; Borowiec 2014; Guénard et al. 2017; Janicki et al. 2017). Its apparent absence in Libya is likely a sampling artifact. Crematogaster antaris is also broadly distributed in the Arabian Peninsula where it is known from Kuwait, Oman, the KSA, the UAE, and Yemen (Collingwood 1985; Tigar and Collingwood 1993; Collingwood and Agosti 1996; Collingwood et al. 2011; Borowiec 2014; Sharaf et al. 2018).

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

Nomenclature

 *  antaris. Crematogaster auberti r. antaris Forel, 1894d: 26 (w.q.) ALGERIA. Combination in C. (Acrocoelia): Emery, 1922e: 142; in C. (Crematogaster): Bolton, 1995b: 166. Subspecies of inermis: Emery, 1926: 2; Menozzi, 1927g: 379; of auberti: Emery, 1924a: 8; Finzi, 1930b: 15; Santschi, 1938a: 38; Cagniant, 1964: 103. Raised to species: Santschi, 1921d: 71; Collingwood, 1985: 260. Senior synonym of sordida: Cagniant, 2005: 11.
 * sordida. Crematogaster auberti var. sordida Forel, 1909c: 104 (w.) ALGERIA. [First available use of Crematogaster auberti r. laestrygon var. sordida Forel, 1894d: 26; unavailable name.] Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1952b: 255 (l.). Combination in C. (Acrocoelia): Emery, 1922e: 142. Subspecies of antaris: Santschi, 1921d: 71. Junior synonym of antaris: Cagniant, 2005: 11.