Abstract
The genus Crematogaster is one of the most species-rich and widespread groups of ants. Despite their often-high local abundance and important ecological interactions, the taxonomy of the genus is fragmentary and in great need of modern revisionary studies. As a first step towards a revision for the Arabian fauna of Crematogaster, a review of all known species with synoptic species accounts is provided. Seventeen species are recognized and illustrated from the Arabian Peninsula, of which two new species are described: C. jacindae Sharaf & Hita Garcia, sp. nov. from the Dhofar Governorate, Oman, and C. gryllsi Sharaf & Hita Garcia, sp. nov. from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) based on the worker caste. Crematogaster jacindaesp. nov. is easily separated from the remainder of the Arabian Crematogaster fauna due to its complete lack of propodeal spines, slit-shaped propodeal spiracles, and its distinct bicoloration, whereas C. gryllsisp. nov. is readily distinguished by its unlobed postpetiolar dorsum. Furthermore, new country records are presented: C. acaciae Forel for the KSA and Yemen, and C. delagoensis Forel and C. jehovae Forel for the KSAC. antaris for Qatar, whereas C. luctans Forel is excluded from the Arabian fauna. In addition, on the basis of morphological examination of original type material, C. affabilis Forel is proposed as junior synonym of C. chiarinii Mayr, and C. striaticeps is elevated to species rank stat. nov. Furthermore, a new identification key for the Arabian species is provided, as well as distribution maps for all species.
Highlights
The myrmicine ant genus Crematogaster Lund, 1831 is one of the most species-rich genera of the family Formicidae with 500 described species, 269 valid subspecies and two fossil species (Blaimer 2012a; Bolton 2019)
Species of Crematogaster are notoriously difficult to identify to species level in most parts of the world and the genus is in dire need of any modern, thorough revisionary study
It is likely that the species listed here will turn out to be senior or junior synonym of another taxon, and it is very probable that some or many of the infraspecific taxa deserve to be treated as “good” species
Summary
The myrmicine ant genus Crematogaster Lund, 1831 is one of the most species-rich genera of the family Formicidae with 500 described species, 269 valid subspecies and two fossil species (Blaimer 2012a; Bolton 2019). The genus is widely distributed worldwide throughout most of the tropical and subtropical regions (Hölldobler and Wilson 1990; Longino 2003). Species of Crematogaster are notoriously difficult to identify to species level in most parts of the world and the genus is in dire need of any modern, thorough revisionary study
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