Anochetus annetteae

The type locality of the new species is a large date palm plantation (Phoenix dactylifera L.). A single specimen was found in moist soil under the base of a date palm tree and collected by digging around a palm tree where an unidentified species of termite was also observed nesting. The two paratype specimens were found foraging on the ground and collected by leaf litter sifting. (Sharaf et al. 2017)

Identification
Sharaf et al. (2017) - Anochetus annetteae is a member of the Anochetus graeffei-group as defined by Brown (1978). Anochetus annetteae appears most similar to Anochetus yerburyi, described from Sri Lanka, but is easily distinguished by the paler color, the smaller eyes (EI 12–15, with six to eight ommatidia in the longest row); the shorter scapes that fail to reach the posterior margin of the head in full-face view; the irregular and weaker pronotal and mesonotal sculpture. Anochetus yerburyi has a red-brown mesosoma, dark brown gaster, and yellow head and petiole; the eyes are distinctly larger (EI 21) with about 16 ommatidia in the longest row; the scapes longer when laid back from their insertions, reaching the posterior margin of the head; the pronotal sculpture is regularly circular.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: Oman.

Nomenclature

 *  annetteae. Anochetus annetteae Sharaf, 2017 in Sharaf, Monks et al., 2017: 81, figs. 7-9 (w.) OMAN.

Worker
Holotype. EL 0.12, HL 0.92, HW 0.85, MDL 0.47, ML 1.17, PNH 0.45, PNL 0.17, PNW 0.27, PW0.50, SL 0.67, TL 4.20; Indices: CI 92, EI 14, MDI 51, PNI 265, SI 79.

Paratype. EL 0.10–0.12, HL 0.90–1.15, HW 0.82, MDL 0.50–0.52, ML 1.10–1.20, PNH 0.45–0.47, PNL 0.15, PNW 0.25–0.27, PW 0.50, SL 0.72–0.82, TL 3.35–3.57; Indices: CI 71–91, EI 12–15, MDI 45–56, PNI 300–313, SI 88–100 (n=2).

Head: Subrectangular in full-face view; posterior margin strongly concave; lateral margins of head feebly concave and broad at eye level; scapes relatively short (SI 79–100), when laid back from their insertions failing to reach posterior margin of head; second funicular segment as long as broad; remaining funicular segments distinctly longer than broad; eyes small (EI 12–15) with six to eight ommatidia in longest row; mandibles long, broader apically, with three teeth, the middle tooth half the length of the other two teeth; ventral mandibular margin when seen in lateral view with six blunt denticles; concealed by dorsal internal mandibular margin in full-face view. Mesosoma: In profile with a flat dorsal outline, and with shallow but distinct promesonotal suture and metanotal groove; promesonotal suture appears as transverse line in dorsal view; propodeal dorsum meets declivity in a right angle; propodeal spiracle circular, situated above midline of metapleuron in profile. Petiole: Triangular in profile, with sharp pointed dorsum; subpetiolar process well-developed and rounded ventrally; petiole in profile as high as propodeum. Sculpture: Parallel rugae between frontal carinae running mesad behind midlength of head, remaining cephalic surface and mandibles smooth and shining; pronotal and mesonotal dorsa, and propleura irregularly rugulose; propodeal dorsum reticulate-rugose; propodeal declivity in dorsocaudal view with about 16 transverse rugae; mesopleuron distinctly smooth and shining; metapleuron transversally striate; petiole nearly smooth and shining; gaster superficially shagreened, dull with few smooth and shining small areas. Pilosity: Cephalic surface, antennae, and mandibles with appressed pubescence; mesosomal dorsum and petiole with abundant, short, suberect hairs; gaster with abundant hairs which are longer than mesosoma hairs. Colour: Head, mesopleuron, lower half of metapleuron, petiole, and legs yellow, mesosomal dorsum, propleuron and upper half of metapleuron yellow brown; first and second gastral tergites dark brown, remaining of gaster yellow brown.

Type Material
Holotype worker.—Sultanate of Oman, Hibra village, Nakhl Region, 05.iv.2016, 23.49327°N, 57.83421°E, 190 m, (M.R. Sharaf) (MRS0311). Paratypes: 2 workers with same data as the holotype. The holotype is deposited in, 1 paratype specimen in and 1 in.

Etymology
The patronym annetteae honors Dr. Annette Patzelt, the Scientific Director of the Oman Botanic Garden in Muscat.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Monks J., S. Ross, M. Geiser, J. De Prins, M. Sharaf, N. Wyatt, S. Al Rijeibi, and A. Polaszek. 2019. A preliminary survey of the insect fauna of the Hajar Mountain Range, Oman. Journal of Natural History 53(15-16): 939-963.
 * Sharaf M. R., B. L. Fisher, H. M. Al Dhafer, A. Polaszek, and A. S. Aldawood. 2018. Additions to the ant fauna (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of Oman: an updated list, new records and a description of two new species. Asian Myrmecology 10: e010004