Key to Arabian Nesomyrmex

This worker key is based on: Sharaf, M.R., Akbar, S.A., Aldawood, A.S., Hita Garcia, F. 2017. Review of the ant genus Nesomyrmex Wheeler, 1910 (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Myrmicinae) from the Arabian Peninsula. African Invertebrates 58: 21–37 (DIO 10.3897/AfrInvertebr.58.12782). and Sharaf, M.R., Mohamed, A.A., Al Dhafer, H.M., Aldawood, A.S. 2020. Nesomyrmex micheleae, a new ant species (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from the Dhofar Governorate, Oman, with a synoptic list, distribution map and key to the Arabian Nesomyrmex. Journal of Natural History 54(5-6), 351-365 (doi:10.1080/00222933.2020.1762013).

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Nesomyrmex

1

• Anterior clypeal lobe short, flat-margined and never convex, lobe with a small median triangular projection (Figure 2A); dorsal pronotum, seen from above, anterolaterally sharply marginate, with dentate corners (Figure 2B); in profile mesosomal outline strongly concave (Figure 2C); propodeal spines exceptionally long, about 3X longer than its base and blunt apically (Figure 2c); petiole barrel-shaped with weakly developed, short and triangular petiolar node (Figure 2C) . . . . . Nesomyrmex humerosus’’

Fig. 2A

Fig. 2B

Fig. 2C

• Anterior clypeal lobe always conspicuously developed, convex and rounded, never with a small median triangular projection (Figure 1C); dorsal pronotum, seen from above, anterolaterally weakly marginate without dentate corners (Figure 2E); in profile mesosomal outline flat and uninterrupted (Figure 2F); propodeal spines distinctly shorter, about as long as its base and acute apically (Figure 2F); petiole with well-developed petiolar node (Figure 2F) . . . . . 2

Fig. 1C

Fig. 2E

Fig. 2F

2

return to couplet #1

• Clypeus without median longitudinal carina; scapes when laid back from their insertions surpass posterior margin of eyes by about the length of the first funicular segment . . . . . Nesomyrmex zaheri

• Clypeus with a median longitudinal carina (Figure 3B); scapes distinctly longer, when laid back from their insertions either reach posterior margin of head or surpass posterior margin of eyes by about one-third the length of the scape (Figure 3B) . . . . . 3

Figure 3B

3

return to couplet #2

• Head in full-face view with scapes when laid back from insertions reach posterior margin of head; mesosoma with fewer pairs of longer hairs (about 10); uniform yellow . . . . . Nesomyrmex angulatus

• Head in full-face view with scapes when laid back from insertions fail to reach posterior margin of head; bicoloured species, head black-brown to black, mesosoma, petiole and postpetiole dark brown, gaster golden yellow conspicuously contrasting with rest of body . . . . . Nesomyrmex micheleae