Brachyponera sennaarensis (Mayr, 1862)

(Fig. 26 A–C, 27 A–C)

Ponera sennaarensis Mayr, 1862: 721 (w.) Sudan. Afrotropic.

Diagnosis. Worker. Dark brown to black-brown, with antennae, tibiae, and tarsi reddish. In full-face view head with convex sides and concave posterior margin; eyes relatively large; metanotal groove deeply impressed; petiole a high and thick node with a straight anterior surface and convex posterior surface; first and second gastral tergites separated by a distinct constriction characteristic of ponerine ants; gaster ending with a powerful sting. All body surfaces covered with fine and dense pubescence.

Material examined. Qatar, Rawdet Rashed, 12.iii. 2005, 25°14.006‘N, 51°12.286’E, (M.S. Abdel-Dayem leg.), 3w; Al-Rayyan, 14.iii.2005, 25°18’N, 51°25’E, (M.S. Abdel-Dayem leg.), 25w; Al Dkakhira Park, 14.iii.2005, 25°43.65’N, 51°32.052’E, (M.S. Abdel-Dayem leg.), 9w; Al-Rayyan, 17.iii.2005, 25°18’N, 51°25’E, (M.S. Abdel-Dayem leg.), 11w; Al-Dohuil, 18-8.iii.2005, 25°22’N, 51°29’E, (M.S. Abdel-Dayem leg.), 31w, (KSMA ).

Geographic distribution. Brachyponera sennaarensis is an African native species originally described from Sudan, and spreads eastwardly from the Arabian Peninsula to Iran and India (Wetterer 2013). This ponerine ant is widely spread in all countries of the Arabian Peninsula (Collingwood 1985, Collingwood and Agosti 1996, Collingwood et al. 2011) and the Socotra Archipelago (Sharaf et al. 2017). It was recorded from Qatar by Wetterer (2013).

Ecological and biological notes. Brachyponera sennaarensis has the ability to invade a diverse range of habitats including moist soils around date palm trees, leaf litter, public gardens, under rocks and objects associated with moist soils, and any habitat close to human settlements (Collingwood 1985, Collingwood and Agosti 1996, Wetterer 2013). In Socotra Archipelago, Sharaf et al. (2017) found a colony under a rock next to a dragon blood tree Dracaena cinnabari Balf. f. ( Asparagaceae). Brachyponera sennaarensis is a predaceous scavenger feeding on insects (Lachaud and Dejean 1994, Collingwood and Agosti 1996) and the seeds of tropical plants (Levieux and Diomande 1978). [Table 1]