Cardiocondyla paranuda

Known only from the holotype worker, nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
Seifert (2003) - A member of the Cardiocondyla nuda group. Morphometric and structural similarities suggest a close relation to Pacific Cardiocondyla nuda, from which it differs by extremely small PLG, small EYE, and large PEW/PPW, with all these data outside of the range of variation known for C. nuda. Less obvious differences are the smaller diameter and the less dense arrangement of vertex foveolae and the more massive petiole node (however, specimens with massive petioles that have a truncate-rounded dorsal profile may occur in Pacific C. nuda). The separation from Cardiocondyla mauritanica and C. mauritanica morph B is easily possible by much smaller PEH/PPH, much larger PoOc/CL, much smaller PLG/CS, and more erect spines. Heatwole's sample originally included also an ergatoid male with a morphology similar to the ergatoids of C. mauritanica. This specimen was unfortunately lost by a handling accident.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: Tunisia.

Nomenclature

 *  paranuda. Cardiocondyla paranuda Seifert, 2003a: 246, fig. 31 (w.) TUNISIA.

Worker
holotype: CS 454, CL/CW 1.224, SL/CS 0.775, PoOc/CL 0.473, EYE 0.220, dFOV 17.0, FRS/CS 0.289, SPBA/CS 0.300, SP/CS 0.114, PEW/CS 0.309, PPW/CS 0.501, PEH/CS 0.343, PPH/CS 0.359, sqrtPDG 4.26, PLG/CS 4.57 %, PigCap 8, PigMes 9, MGrlCS 2.5 %.

Head elongated, CL/CW 1.224. Postocular distance very large, PoOc/CL 0.473. Scape short, SL/CW 0.775. Occipital margin straight or slightly concave. Frontal laminae converging immediately caudal of FRS level, FL/FR 1.107. Eyes small, EYE 0.220. Vertex with rather deep, well-demarcated, flat-bottomed foveolae of 16 - 18 mm diameter, showing an inner corona of 7 - 9 mm diameter; foveolae densely packed, interspaces much narrower than foveolar diameter. Clypeus and frontal laminae longitudinally carinulate; remaining dorsal head without longitudinal sculpture. Dorsal area of pronotum with scattered and very shallow foveolae of 15 - 18 mm diameter; interspaces much wider than foveolar diameter, more or less shining, and with very delicate cross-branched or semi-reticulate microsculpture. Mesonotum and propodeum dorsally with irregular foveolate-rugulose microsculpture. Whole area of lateral mesosoma strongly microreticulate, metapleuron with 3 short longitudinal carinulae. Petiole and postpetiole finely microreticulate, on petiole sides stronger. Surface of 1st gaster tergite shining, with very delicate microreticulum, and very short pubescence, PLG/CS 4.57 %. Most of pubescence hairs on first tergite of type specimen torn-off, sqrtPDG calculated from PLG and mean distance of hair base pits as 20.0 mm. Metanotal depression shallow. Spines short, acute, and rather steep, comparable to situation in Tetramorium caespitum. Petiole node rather massive, in dorsal view slightly wider than long, in profile with truncate-rounded dorsum. Petiolar peduncle thicker than in C. nuda. Postpetiole higher than petiole (PEH/PPH 0.954), with bulging sternite; in dorsal view with angulate-convex sides and slightly concave anterior margin. Whole body medium brown with yellowish tinge; waist and appendages lighter, gaster darker.

Type Material
Holotype worker labelled “TUNISIA: Medinine - 32 km SE Chabania - 6 km NW leg. H. Heatwole 1976”,. Only type specimen known.