Tapinoma wilsoni

The specimens of T. wilsoni were found foraging on the ground, and coexisting with the ant species Carebara abuhurayri Sharaf & Aldawood, Tetramorium sericeiventre Emery, Pheidole minuscula Bernard, Pheidole sp., Trichomyrmex destructor (Jerdon), Monomorium exiguum (Forel), Monomorium sp., and Crematogaster sp. The type locality of this new species is a semi isolated area which is completely surrounded by high mountains and largely under banana cultivation. The new species was collected at the base of banana trees. Due to continuous irrigation of the banana plantations, the soil is moist throughout the year. The type locality still has a diversity of native plants as well as many other cultivated species, especially date palm, Ficus trees, alfalfa and some lemon trees. Numerous small streams drain this area.

Tapinoma wilsoni is the first new species to be described in the genus since Collingwood’s (1985) review of the Arabian ant fauna. We believe that the Mountains of Al Sarwat and Asir (southwestern region of the Arabian Peninsula) may yield a wealth of undescribed ant species.

Identification
Bharti, Kumar1 and Dubovikoff (2013) - Key to lugubre species-group workers:

1


 * Anteromedial clypeal margin with a wide shallow medial concavity . . . . . Tapinoma lugubre
 * Anteromedial clypeal margin more deeply concave 2

2


 * Head relatively wide and short (CI 0.82). Scape is relatively short, surpassing of posterior margin of head about on 1/4 of its length (SI 0.88) . . . . . Tapinoma wilsoni
 * Head more narrow and long (CI 0.8). Scape is very long, surpassing of posterior margin of head more than 1/3 of its length (SI 1.2). . . . . Tapinoma himalaica

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Saudi Arabia.

Nomenclature

 *  wilsoni. Tapinoma wilsoni Sharaf & Aldawood, in Sharaf, Aldawood & El Hawagry, 2012: 38, figs. 1-3 (w.) SAUDI ARABIA.