Cataglyphis stigmata

Distribution of this species is probably limited to the northern coastal plains of the Persian Gulf. This region is characterized by hot long summer and mild winter, with mean annual temperature 27C° and 236 mm precipitation. Phyto-geographically it belongs to the subtropical region. Both nest samples of C. stigmatus were collected in open arid areas. The nest entrance had a small mound ca. 5 cm height and ca. 15 cm in diameter. Specimens were active at the hottest time of day, between 10.00 and 16.00. Workers were attracted on baits both by tuna fish and sugar syrup. (Radchenko and Paknia 2010)

Identification
Radchenko and Paknia (2010) - Based on all main diagnostic feature (e.g. nodiform petiole, body sculpture, maxillary palpes structure, etc.; see also Agosti 1990, Radchenko 1997a), C. stigmata clearly belongs to the bicolor species-group. Almost all species of this group are bicoloured (with reddish head and alitrunk and black gaster) or black with the only one previously known exception – Cataglyphis lunatica which has entirely yellow body. Consequently, C. stigmata obviously differs by colour from all known species of this group, except of C. lunatica. Despite we did not investigate the type specimens of the latter species (it has been described based on 2 workers from Turkey), the detailed original description, including morphometric data and excellent drawings, provided by Baroni Urbani (1969) allow us to compare both species.

C. stigmata well distinguishes from C. lunatica by the longer scape (SI1 > 1.20 vs < 1.10), by the lower propodeum with the dorsal surface being distinctly longer than the posterior one (the length of the dorsal surface of propodeum in C. lunatica is subequal to the length of posterior one), by the less abundant standing hairs on the alitrunk and petiole, by the somewhat smaller size, and especially by the much longer propodeal spiracles.

Distribution
Known only from the type localities. Bushehr Province, Iran.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: Iran.

Castes
Known only from the worker caste.

Nomenclature

 * . Cataglyphis stigmatus Radchenko & Paknia, 2010: 70, figs. 2-7 (w.) IRAN.

Worker
Species of medium size, body length ca. 5–7 mm. Head with almost parallel sides (below the eyes) and gradually convex occipital margin, occipital corners not marked, head length subequal to its width. Anterior clypeal margin convex, without median notch. Clypeal setae distinctly shorter than length of clypeus and joined near its anterior margin. Eyes relatively small, their maximum diameter 1.2–1.5 times less than length of genae, situated distinctly beyond the midlength of head margins. Ocelli relatively big, forming equilateral triangle. Antennae 12-segmented, scape long, distinctly longer than head length, first funicular segment distinctly shorter than the length of second and third segments together. 3rd and 4th segments of maxillary palpes long, subequal in length, 5th segment 1.5–1.6 times shorter than 3rd or 4th ones, 6th segment is the shortest; 3rd segment somewhat flattened, with abundant erect hairs on inner margin, length of the longest hairs equal or only a little longer than maximum diameter of the segment; 4th segment with similar pilosity, two apical segments with abundant but shorter hairs. Mandibles with long apical tooth, somewhat smaller preapical one and three small basal teeth.

Alitrunk long and slender, mesonotum not raised over pronotal level. Propodeum low, gradually arched, its dorsal surface distinctly longer than posterior one. Propodeal spiracles elongate-oval, while not distinctly slit-like, and very long: their length exceeds (or at least reaches) half of the propodeal height. Petiole obviously nodiform, with rounded node dorsum.

Surface of whole body with dense microreticulation, appears dull, although not strongly matt. Body with sparse whitish standing hairs. Occiput with 5–6 quite long erect hairs, frons with 3–4, clypeus – with 2 similar hairs. Alitrunk and petiolar node with a few sparse short hairs. Head and gaster with very sparse and short decumbent pilosity, distance between hairs longer than hairs’ length; surface of alitrunk (except of mesonotal dorsum) and coxae with dense silverfish pubescence. Tibiae with depressed whitish short setae and additionally with a few yellowish bristles on inner margin. Antennae with fine, short depressed pubescence, without semi-erect hairs.

Whole body yellow to orange-yellow.

Type Material
Holotype worker, Iran, Province Bushehr, Mond protected area, 28°03’N, 51°36’E, 6 m a.s.l., 15 July 2007, arid area, leg. Omid Paknia, collection code: MND-2128002 (MMTT); paratypes: 1 worker from the nest of holotype; 2 workers from the same site, but collected on bait traps; 3 workers, Iran, Province Bushehr, Naiband National Park, 27°18’N, 52°48’E, 19 July 2007, 6 m a.s.l., nest sample, arid area, leg. Omid Paknia (IZK, MMTT).

Etymology
From the Latin word “stigma” — spiracle, to emphasize very long propodeal spiracles.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Paknia O., and M. Pfeiffer. 2011. Hierarchical partitioning of ant diversity: implications for conservation of biogeographical diversity in arid and semi-arid areas. Diversity and Distributions 17: 122-131.
 * Radchenko, A. G., and O. Paknia. "Two new species of the genus Cataglyphis Foerster, 1850 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Iran." Annales Zoologici 60, no. 1 (2010): 69-76.