Cataglyphis bombycina

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Mali, Saudi Arabia. Palaearctic Region: Algeria, Israel, Libya, Tunisia.

Biology
Behaviour of workers around nest entrances, and exit of a soldier. Filmed in Djerba, Tunisia by Philipp Hönle

Castes


Unlike other species in this genus, C. bombycina has big individuals characterized by saber-shaped mandibles occurring together with winged queens and size-polymorphic workers. Molet et al. (2014) performed a morphometric analysis and showed that the soldier caste exhibits a mosaic phenotype, i.e. combining queen and worker traits. Soldiers appear to function both for defense (saber-shaped mandibles) and food storage (big abdomen).



Nomenclature

 *  bombycina. Formica bombycina Roger, 1859: 232, pl. 7, fig. 1 (s.w.q.m.) LIBYA. Combination in Cataglyphis: Mayr, 1862: 701; in Myrmecocystus: Emery, 1891b: 17; in Cataglyphis: Emery, 1912f: 98; in C. (Machaeromyrma): Santschi, 1929b: 30. Senior synonym of phaeogaster: Dalla Torre, 1893: 217; Agosti, 1990b: 1484; of lucasi: Cagniant, 2006a: 194. Current subspecies: nominal plus bruneipes, sinaitica.
 * phaeogaster. Camponotus phaeogaster Walker, 1871: 10 (w.) SAUDI ARABIA. Junior synonym of bombycina: Dalla Torre, 1893: 217.
 * lucasi. Myrmecocystus lucasi Emery, 1898c: 147 (w.) TUNISIA. Bernard, 1953a: 203 (m.). Combination in Cataglyphis: Emery, 1912f: 104; in C. (Machaeromyrma): Santschi, 1929b: 30. Senior synonym of lameerei: Emery, in Forel, 1902g: 463. Junior synonym of bombycina: Cagniant, 2006: 194.
 * lameerei. Myrmecocystus lameerei Forel, 1902a: 156 (w.q.) ALGERIA. Junior synonym of lucasi: Emery, in Forel, 1902g: 463.