Trichomyrmex mayri ( Forel, 1902 )

Mostafa R. Sharaf, Shehzad Salman, Hathal M. Al Dhafer, Shahid A. Akbar, Mahmoud S. Abdel-Dayem & Abdulrahman S. Aldawood, 2016, Taxonomy and distribution of the genus Trichomyrmex Mayr, 1865 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the Arabian Peninsula, with the description of two new species, European Journal of Taxonomy 246, pp. 1-36 : 20-24

Trichomyrmex mayri ( Forel, 1902)

Fig. 10 A–C

Monomorium (Parholcomyrmex) gracillimum var. mayri Forel, 1902b: 209 (workers). India, Indomalaya. Syntype worker [examined] (lectotype here designated (CASENT0249904) (MHNG)).

Trichomyrmex karawajewi Bolton, 1987: 326 .

Trichomyrmex destructor – Forel 1911: 24.

Monomorium mayri – Wheeler 1923: 3 (male).

Monomorium (Parholcomyrmex) mayri – Emery 1922: 180.

Trichomyrmex mayri – Ward, Brady, Fisher & Schultz 2015: 16.

Trichomyrmex destructor – Viehmeyer 1916: 132.

Material examined

QATAR: 1 w, Doha, Ben Mahmoud, 25.28˚ N, 51.52˚ E, 14 Mar. 2005, M.S. Abdel-Dayem leg. (KSMA).

SAUDI ARABIA: 8 w, Al Bahah Province, Raghadan forest, 20.00˚ N, 41.44˚ E, alt. 2222 m, 13 May 2010, M.R. Sharaf leg.; 17 w, Park, Beljurashi, 19.80˚ N, 41.71˚ E, alt. 2222 m, 17 May 2010, M.R. Sharaf leg.; 12 w, Elqam’a Park, Beljurashi, 19.80˚ N, 41.71˚ E, alt. 1950 m, 21 Sep. 2011, M.R. Sharaf leg.; 10 w, Amadan forest, Al Mandaq, 20.20˚ N, 41.23˚ E, alt. 1881 m, 19 May 2010, M.R. Sharaf leg.; 2 w, Wadi Elzaraeb (w. Kheir), 20.06˚ N, 41.38˚ E, alt. 2123 m, 15 May 2010, M.R. Sharaf leg.; 5 w, Wadi Elzaraeb (w. Kheir), 20.07˚ N, 41.38˚ E, alt. 2086 m, 9 May 2011, M.R. Sharaf leg.; 20 w, Shohba forest, 20.04˚ N, 41.47˚ E, alt. 2324 m, 14 May 2010, M.R. Sharaf leg.; 2 w, Wadi Turabah, 20.24˚ N, 41.26˚ E, alt. 1751 m, 19 Sep. 2011, M.R. Sharaf leg. — 2 w, Asir Province, Raydah, 18.19˚ N, 42.39˚ E, alt. 1897 m, 21 Feb. 2014, Aldhafer et al. leg.; 2 w, Raydah, 18.19˚ N, 42.39˚ E, alt. 1772 m, 29 Jan. 2015, Aldhafer et al. leg.; 4 w, Raydah, 18.19˚ N, 42.40˚ E, alt. 2285 m, 29 Jan. 2015, Aldhafer et al. leg.; 2 w, Raydah, 18.19˚ N, 42.39˚ E, alt. 1897 m, 29 Jan. 2015, Aldhafer et al. leg.; 1 w, Almajardah, wadi Bagara, 18.79˚ N, 4 2.01˚ E, alt. 641 m, 10 Nov. 2012, M.R. Sharaf leg.; Dalaghan, 18.10˚ N, 42.70˚ E, alt. 2100 m, 17 Apr. 2008, M.R. Sharaf leg. — 2 w, Eastern Province, Al Qatif, 26.50˚ N, 50.01˚ E, alt. 3 m, 21 Dec. 2013, M.R. Sharaf leg. — 5 w, Jazan Province, Abu Arish, 17.01˚ N, 42.80˚ E, alt. 90 m, 10 Apr. 2012, M.R. Sharaf leg.; 3 w, Jazan, 16.97˚ N, 42.61˚ E, alt. 38 m, 12 Apr. 2012, M.R. Sharaf leg.; 1 w, Jazan, Sabia, 17.10˚ N, 42.65˚ E, alt. 43 m, 9 Apr. 2012, M.R. Sharaf leg. — 20 w, Makkah Province, Wadi Gonouna, 19.42˚ N, 41.60˚ E, alt. 353 m, 14 May 2010, M.R. Sharaf leg.; 11 w, Allaith gov., Adam, wadi Elarj, 20.45˚ N, 40.81˚ E, alt. 450 m, 9 Nov. 2012, M.R. Sharaf leg. — 4 w, Riyadh Province, Al Dawadmi, 24.46˚ N, 44.34˚ E, alt. 1038 m, 18 Apr. 2014, S. Salman leg.; 12 w, Al Ammariyah, 24.81˚ N, 46.44˚ E, alt. 696 m, 12 Oct. 2013, S. Salman leg.; 7 w, Al Ghat, 26.06660˚ N, 44.91957˚ E, alt. 675 m, 7 Feb. 2015, S. Salman leg.; 1 w, Al Kharaj, 24.15˚ N, 47.23˚ E, alt. 463 m, 19 Jan. 2014, S. Salman leg.; 2 w, Kharaj, 24.29˚ N, 47.15˚ E, alt. 453 m, 8 Sep. 2014, S. Salman leg.; 5 w, Dhurma, 24.69˚ N, 46.12˚ E, alt. 649 m, 30 Jan. 2015, S. Salman leg.; 17 w, Al Majma’ah, 26.00˚ N, 45.01˚ E, alt. 594 m, 13 Sep. 2014, S. Salman leg.; 1 w, Al Majma’ah, 25.93˚ N, 45.29˚ E, alt. 736 m, 5 Jun. 2014, S. Salman leg.; 13 w, Rawdhat Khorim, 25.38˚ N, 47.27˚ E, alt. 551 m, 16 Jan. 2015, S. Salman leg.; 1 w, Rawdhat Khorim, 25.38˚N, 47.28˚ E, alt. 618 m, 2 Jun. 2013, S. Salman leg.; 26 w, Rawdhat Khorim, 25.38˚ N, 47.27˚ E, alt. 618 m, 2 Jun.2013, S. Salman leg.; 6 w, Layla, 20.49˚ N, 44.79˚ E, alt. 721 m, 19 Feb. 2015, S. Salman leg.; 3 w, Layla, 22.28˚ N, 46.74˚ E, alt. 558 m, 19 Feb. 2015, S. Salman leg.; 7 w, Ergah, 24.67˚ N, 46.59˚ E, 625 m, 19 Jan. 2015, S. Salman leg.; 6 w, Ergah, 24.67˚ N, 46.59˚ E, 625 m, 1 Apr. 2015, S. Salman leg.; 1 w, Diriyah, 24.76˚ N, 47.55˚ E, alt. 673 m, 9 Oct. 2013, S. Salman leg.; 1 w, Dirab, 24.41˚ N, 46.65˚ E, alt. 604 m, 18 Sep. 2014, S. Salman leg.; 2 w, Hawtet Bani Tamim, 23.45˚ N, 46.81˚ E, alt. 582 m, 13 Dec. 2014, S. Salman leg.; 2 w, Huraymila, 25.13˚ N, 46.13˚ E, alt. 783 m, 15 Sep. 2014, S. Salman leg.; 8 w, Kharrarah, 24.39˚ N, 46.24˚ E, alt. 726 m, 8 Apr. 2014, S. Salman leg.; 9 w, Mezahmiyah, 24.47˚ N, 46.23˚ E, alt. 633 m, 25 Jan. 2014, S. Salman leg.; 1 w, Mezahmiyah, 24.46˚ N, 46.22˚ E, alt. 641 m, 25 Jan. 2014, S. Salman leg.; 6 w, Mezahmiyah, 24.48˚ N, 46.26˚ E, alt. 648 m, 25 Jan. 2014, S. Salman leg.; 1 w, Na’ajan, 24.06˚ N, 47.17˚ E, alt. 513 m, 13 Dec. 2014, S. Salman leg.; 3 w, Na’ajan, 24.02˚ N, 47.13˚ E, alt. 467 m, 13 Dec. 2014, S. Salman leg.; 5 w, Sajir, 25.06˚ N, 44.69˚ E, alt. 751 m, 23 Jan. 2015, S. Salman leg.; 1 w, Salboukh, 25.07˚ N, 46.34˚ E, alt. 716 m, 26 Dec. 2014, S. Salman leg.; 12 w, Shagra, 25.26˚ N, 45.26˚ E, alt. 728 m, 30 May 2014, S. Salman leg.; 5 w, Shagra, Al Qarain, 25.23˚ N, 45.31˚ E, alt. 703 m, 24 Jan. 2015, S. Salman leg.; 5 w, Buraydah, 26.32˚ N, 44.02˚ E, alt. 643 m, 19 Oct. 2013, S. Salman leg.; 15 w, Thadiq, 25.29˚ N, 45.87˚ E, alt. 735 m, 26 Apr. 2014, S. Salman leg.; 5 w, Wadi Al Dawasir, 20.49˚ N, 44.76˚ E, alt. 706 m, 22 Jan. 2014, S. Salman leg.; 3 w, Wadi Al Dawasir, 20.45˚ N, 44.86˚ E, alt. 680 m, 20 Feb. 2015, S. Salman leg.; 3 w, Wadi Al Dawasir, 20.49˚ N, 44.79˚ E, alt. 721 m, 22 Feb. 2015, S. Salman leg.; 11 w, Wadi Hanifa, 25.77˚ N, 47.52˚ E, alt. 690 m, 9 Jan. 2013, S. Salman leg.; 1 w, Wadi Hanifa, 24.74˚ N, 46.56˚ E, alt. 673 m, 18 Sep. 2014, S. Salman leg.; 2 w, Wadi Hanifa, 24.67˚ N, 46.58˚ E, alt. 654 m, 14 Feb. 2014, S. Salman leg.; 2 w, Wadi Hanifa, 24.86˚ N, 46.45˚ E, alt. 695 m, 21 Jan. 2015, S. Salman leg.; 6 w, Wadi Hanifa, 24.54˚ N, 46.74˚ E, alt. 647 m, 11 Apr. 2014, S. Salman leg.; 1 w, Deryia, 24.76˚ N, 46.55˚ E, alt. 673 m, 9 Oct. 2013, S. Salman leg.; 1 w, Dirab, 24.41˚ N, 46.65˚ E, alt. 604 m, 18 Sep. 2014, S. Salman leg.; 18 w, Oyaina, 24.90˚ N, 46.38˚ E, alt. 749 m, 28 Apr. 2010, M.R. Sharaf leg.; 11 w, Wadi Hanifa, 24.67˚ N, 46.59˚ E, alt. 641 m, 11 Apr. 2013, M.R. Sharaf leg.; 9 w, Al Ammariyah, 24.81˚ N, 46.44˚ E, alt. 630 m, 21 Jan. 2010, M.R. Sharaf leg.; 6 w, Al Ammariyah, 24.81˚ N, 46.44˚ E, alt. 696 m, 12 Oct. 2013, M.R. Sharaf leg.; 10 w, Salboukh, 25.07˚ N, 46.34˚ E, alt. 689 m, 5 Nov. 2009, M.R. Sharaf leg.; 4 w, Kharaj, 24.19˚ N, 47.23˚ E, alt. 465 m, 19 Jan. 2014, M.R. Sharaf leg.; 1 w, King Saud University Campus, 24.71˚ N, 46.62˚ E, alt. 660 m, 9 Jul. 2009, M.R. Sharaf leg. (all material in KSMA).

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: 1 w, Wadi Wurayah farm, 25.23˚ N, 56.19˚ E, 2 Jun.–16 Jul. 2009, M. Hauser et al. leg. (CASENT0265232); 1 w, Jebel Hafit, 24.03˚ N, 55.46˚ E, 27 Feb.–3 Mar. 2011, M. Hauser et al. leg. (CASENT0261837); 1 w, Wadi Safad, 25.13˚N, 56.19˚E, 4 May–15 Jul. 2006, M. Hauser et al. leg. (CASENT0264937).

YEMEN: 1 w, Taizz, 13.57˚ N, 44.02˚ E, 26–28 Jul. 1999, A.V. Harten leg.

Previous records

SAUDI ARABIA: 1 w, Wadi Khumra, 21.15˚ N, 41.35˚ E, 10 Feb. 1978, C.A. Collingwood leg.; 1 w, Al Mandaq, 20.20˚ N, 41.23˚ E, 8 Apr. 1980, C.A. Collingwood leg.; 1 w, Al Tawala, 25.5˚ N, 37.28˚ E, 7 Apr. 1983, C.A. Collingwood leg.; 1 w, Bisha, 20˚ N, 42.6˚ E, 7 Apr. 1983, C.A. Collingwood leg.; 1 w, Al Qatif, 26.51˚ N, 49.96˚ E, alt. 30 m, 14 Apr. 1983, C.A. Collingwood leg. ( Collingwood 1985).

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: 1 w Al-Jazira Al-Hamra, 25.70˚ N, 55.79˚ E, 9 Sep. 2004, A.V. Harten leg.; 1 w, Ruwais, 24.15˚ N, 52.73˚ E, Mar. 1995, A.V. Harten leg. ( Collingwood et al. 2011).

YEMEN: 1 w, Sana’ a, 15.34˚ N, 44.20˚ E, Jan. 1991–Nov. 1991; w, Aden, 12.78˚ N, 44.95˚ E, Dec. 1991, A.V. Harten leg. ( Collingwood & Agosti 1996).

Differential diagnosis

Separation is given under T. destructor .

Ecological and biological notes

A nest series was found under a Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.Aiton 1811 tree and coexisting with several ant species including: Carebara arabica (Collingwood & Van Harten, 2001) , T. melanocephalum (Fabricius, 1793) , N. jaegerskioeldi (Mayr, 1904) , Monomorium sp. and Cardiocondyla sp. Another nest series was found under a stone next to a Citrus limon (L.) Burm. F. ( Rutaceae ) tree and a nest of Brachyponera sennaarensis (Mayr, 1862) . Many workers were foraging on moist clay soil under a mango tree, Mangifera indica L. ( Anacardiaceae ). Some other workers were collected from dry leaf litter under a Myoporum insulare R.Br. (Scrophulariaceae) tree. A nest was found under a stone in moist soil and next to a Juniperus procera Hochst. ex. Endlicher ( Cupressaceae ) in the Asir Mountains. Some workers were foraging in leaf litter under a Psidium guajava L. ( Myrtaceae ) tree. Another nest was found in moist soil, rich in decayed organic matter and the surrounding area of dense grasses. Many workers were collected by sifting the leaf litter under date palms. In Shada Al A’la, a nest was found under a discarded bag filled with soil rich in decaying organic matter under a coffee tree, Coffea arabica L. ( Rubiaceae ). Several workers were found under the bark of Acacia sp. trees. A nest series was foraging under a pomegranate tree, Punica granatum L. ( Lythraceae ). Some workers were collected under a ficus tree ( Moraceae ) where soil was moist and rich in decaying organic matter.

Distribution

This species has successfully invaded many regions of the tropics, with a speculated origin in the Indian subcontinent ( Bolton 1987). Geographically, this species has spread westward to the Middle East, the Arabian Peninsula ( Collingwood 1985; Collingwood & Agosti 1996; Sharaf et al. 2013), North Africa (Egypt) ( Sharaf 2006) and along the coastal zones of Sub-Saharan Africa ( Bolton 1987). Trichomyrmex mayri is the most successful and widely distributed species of the genus in the Arabian Peninsula and one of the most abundant ants of the Socotra Archipelago ( Collingwood 2004; Sharaf et al. in press).

Figures

Fig. 10. Trichomyrmex mayri (Forel, 1902), lectotype, worker (CASENT 0249904). A. Body in profile. B. Body in dorsal view. C. Head in full-face view (photos: Shannon Hartman).