Formica persica, Seifert & Schultz, 2009

Seifert, B. & Schultz, R., 2009, A taxonomic revision of the Formica rufibarbis Fabricius, 1793 group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)., Myrmecologische Nachrichten 12, pp. 255-272 : 268-269

Formica persica sp. n.

Derivatio nominis: from Persia - the terra typica of this species.

Type material examined: Holotype worker plus 6 worker paratypes (4 stored in ethanol) labelled "IRAN: 36.767° N, 54.567° E, Tuskestan forest, 900 m Juniperus forest O. Paknia 2005.09.23-517" and " Holotype Formica persica Seifert & Schultz " / " Paratype Formica persica Seifert & Schultz "; SMN Görlitz.

Material examined: 20 samples with 54 workers from Iran were subject to a numeric analysis of 18 characters (Fig. 20). For details. see Appendix, as digital supplementary material to this article, at the journal's web pages.

20 samples with 54 workers from Iran were subject to a numeric analysis of 18 characters. Iran: Tuskestan forest (type), 23.IX.2005 [36.767° N, 54.567° E] ; Chorteh , 8.VII.1973 [36.767° N, 50.583° E] ; Dela-restagh vill., 13.VII.2004 [36.400° N, 52.535° E] ; Golestan N.P ., 29.V.2004 [37.383° N, 55.767° E] ; Golestan N.P. , 14. V.2007 [37.367° N, 55.817° E] ; Golestan N.P. , 11.VI.2008 [37.398° N, 55.798° E] ; Golestan N.P. , 11.VI.2008 [37.388° N, 55.804° E] ; Golestan N.P. , 14.VI.2008 [37.383° N, 55.817° E] ; Asalem , 26.VI.1973 [38.400° N, 48.600° E] ; Mazandaran , 30.07.2007 [36.170° N, 53.215° E] ; Nowshahr , 25.VI.2008 [36.601° N, 51.585° E] ; Abpari forest, 27.VI.2008 [36.502° N, 51.932° E] ; Abpari forest, 27.VI.2008 [36.501° N, 51.982° E] ; Talesh (2 samples, No. 3400, 3454), 6.VII.2008 [37.617° N, 48.744° E] ; Talesh, 6.VII.2008 [37.681° N, 48.834° E] ; Talesh, 7.VII.2008 [37.679° N, 48.808° E] ; Talesh, 7.VII. 2008 [37.705° N, 48.887° E] ; Talesh, Alasem r., 9.VII.2008 [37.681° N, 48.834° E] ; Tehran , Pol-e-Zanguleh , 12.VII. 1973 [36.217° N, 51.317° E] .

Description of worker (Tab. 1, Fig. 10): medium-sized Serviformica species (CS 1.332 mm), head and scape much longer than in F. cunicularia (CL / CW1.4 1.162, SL / CS1.4 1.152). Petiole rather wide (PEW / CS1.4 0.450). Distance between lateral ocelli moderate (OceD / CS1.4 0.162), eye medium-sized (EYE / CS1.4 0.297). Clypeus with sharp median keel and fine longitudinal microcarinulae. Frontal triangle finely transversely rippled and with 45 - 85 short pubescence hairs. Eyes with microsetae of 9 μ m maximum length. Pronotum, mesonotum, petiole, flexor profile of hind tibia, posterior margin of head, propodeum, and dorso-lateral metapleuron normally without setae. Ventral coxae with long setae, setae on dorsum of first gaster tergite sometimes lacking. Dorsal mesonotum in lateral aspect broadly convex, but in small ants flatter. Metanotal depression in larger specimens deep, in small specimens shallow. Propo-deal dome in profile obtuse-angled or rounded. Dorsal crest of petiole in frontal view convex, sometimes obtuse-angled. Petiole scale in lateral aspect slender, with convex anterior and more straight posterior profile. Mean distance of transverse microripples on dorsum of gaster larger than in F. cunicularia (RipD 5.8 μ m). Gaster covered by a dense silvery pubescence (sqPDG 3.3). Pubescence on head, me-sosoma and petiole less dense, ants appear somewhat shiny. Posterior vertex, often dorsal promesonotum, coxae, and all appendages brown, gaster always dark brown. Other body parts yellowish-reddish.

Comments on taxonomy: The clear separation of F. tianshanica sp. n. from F. cunicularia and F. persica sp. n. has already been stated above (Fig. 17). It is unknown if there are contact areas with the Anatolian and Caucasian population of F. cunicularia .

Distribution and biology: So far, only known from the North Iranian region of the Elburs Mountains between 48.5° to 56° E and 36.2° to 38.4° N, in a region with much precipitation (600 - 1500 mm per year). Altitudinal range from sea level up to 2300 metres. Occurs in highly diverse habitats from steppe, human settlements, rural areas, river sides, and frequently inside of forests. The forest sites are below 1000 metres and include deciduous and Juniperus forests.