Messor muraywahus

Nothing is known about the biology of .

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

Nomenclature

 * . Messor muraywahus Collingwood & Agosti, 1996: 319, fig. 6 (w.) SAUDI ARABIA.
 * Type-material: holotype worker, 2 paratype workers.
 * Type-locality: holotype Saudi Arabia: Al-Muraywah, 28°45’N, 44°00’E, 28.x.1986 (W. Büttiker); paratypes with same data.
 * Type-depository: NHMB (perhaps also in WMLC).
 * Status as species: Borowiec, L. 2014: 109.
 * Distribution: Saudi Arabia.

Worker
Holotype: TL 6.5; HL 2.1; HW 2.2; SL 1.91; EL/HW 0.232.

This species is similar to Messor aralocaspius but the body hairs are shorter and differently distributed. The occiput has four and five projecting hairs at each side of the midline. Short hairs project on the genae below the eyes. The pronotum has several long dorsal hairs, the petiole one pair and the postpetiole two pairs. Several short hairs are present over the first gastral dorsum. This species has relatively larger eyes than M. aralocaspius, a steeper more sharply angled petiole and the propodeum is armed with slightly projecting blunt teeth. The subcephalic hairs are sparse, not forming a distinct psammophore. The head is moderately shining with a few scattered punctures, the alitrunk dorsum is transversely striate and the gaster has fine superficial sculpture.

Type Material
Holotype: worker, Saudi Arabia, Al-Muraywah, 28°45'N 44°00'E, 28.x.1986, W Biittiker.- Paratypes: 2 workers, same series as holotype.