Cardiocondyla kushanica

Nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
Seifert (2003) - Low postocular distance, big eyes, and shape of waist segments indicate an allocation of C. kushanica to the Cardiocondyla batesii group. The gynes differ from both Cardiocondyla nigra and Cardiocondyla batesii in particular by head sculpture. On paramedian vertex, the C. kushanica gynes show rather deep, closely-set, and bicoronate foveolae; the interspaces are clearly smaller than the foveolar diameter and rugulose. The type gynes of C. batesii and C. nigra show rather shallow foveolae; the interspaces are at least as wide as the foveolar diameter, brilliantly shining, and with very delicate cross-branched microstructures.

The two available C. kushanica workers differ from those of C. batesii by lower PoOc/CL, PEH/CS, and MGr/CS, larger PLG, and more erect and acute spines. The only significant differences to C. nigra and Cardiocondyla bicoronata seem to be the larger PPW/CS and PLG and the deviating head sculpture.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: Afghanistan, Iran, Turkmenistan.

Nomenclature

 *  kushanica. Cardiocondyla kushanica Pisarski, 1967: 386, figs. 16-22 (w.q.) AFGHANISTAN. See also: Radchenko, 1995b: 451; Seifert, 2003a: 239.

Worker
Seifert (2003) - Head of medium length, CL/CW 1.162. Postocular distance small, PoOc/CL 0.373. Occipital margin slightly excavated. Frontal carinae immediately posterior of FRS level converging. Clypeus on whole surface longitudinally carinulate, anteriorly 5 - 6 stronger carinulae, posteriorly 6 - 7 finer carinulae. Paramedian area of vertex with irregular, bicoronate foveolae of 16 - 17 mm diameter; interspaces with perifoveolar rugae or with cross-branched carinulae which are significantly stronger than in Cardiocondyla batesii and Cardiocondyla nigra - as a consequence overall surface impression less shining. Mesosoma finely and irregularly rugulose-reticulate; similar but finer structures on petiole. Dorsum of postpetiole in overall impression smooth and shining, but clearly microreticulate. Lateral areas of meso- and metapleurae longitudinally rugulose. Spines steeper and more acute than in Cardiocondyla semirubra and C. batesii, their angle diverging by 55 - 60° from longitudinal axis of mesosoma. Petiole node in dorsal aspect much longer than wide. Postpetiolar sternite completely flat. Head blackish brown; mesosoma and petiole reddish brown; postpetiole and gaster brown.

Queen
Head elongated, CL/CW 1.194, with slightly excavated occipital margin. Postocular distance small, PoOc/CL 0.386. Paramedian area of vertex with rather deep, closely-set, bicoronate foveolae; the rugulose interspaces clearly smaller than foveolar diameter. Whole mesosoma more sculptured than in Cardiocondyla nigra and Cardiocondyla batesii; pronotum in addition to foveolae with transverse rugosity; meso- and metapleurae with longitudinal rugosity. Pronotal corners more developed than in nigra. Propodeal spines more acute and steeper than in C. nigra and C. batesii. Petiole node in lateral view roughly quadrate and not produced caudad as in C. batesii, dorsal peduncle profile and anterior node profile forming a distinct angle. Postpetiole almost twice as wide as petiole. Head blackish brown with reddish tinge. Mesosoma and petiole light-reddish brown. Postpetiole dark reddish brown. Gaster blackish brown. Type gynes are brachypterous, unable to fly, length of forewing only 1200 mm.

Type Material
Afghanistan: Darountah [types investigated]. Worker holotype, 1 worker paratype, 5 gyne paratypes, all labelled “Afghanistan: Darountah, A 231 (Djelalabad), 4 et 24.1.1958, leg. K.Lindberg” ( and )