(Figure 11)Dhee Ain (Al-Mekhwa) 19.55459° N, 41.26302° E: March <i>–</i> May 2011. [F... more (Figure 11)Dhee Ain (Al-Mekhwa) 19.55459° N, 41.26302° E: March <i>–</i> May 2011. [First record in KSA].
Figure 2. Automontage images of male of Leptogenys polaszeki sp. n. A. Body in profile; B. Head i... more Figure 2. Automontage images of male of Leptogenys polaszeki sp. n. A. Body in profile; B. Head in frontal view; C. Body in dorsal view (CASENT0922262) (Photograph: Michele Esposito).
Figure 4. Automontage images of Leptogenys polaszeki sp. n. and L. maxillosa: A. holotype worker ... more Figure 4. Automontage images of Leptogenys polaszeki sp. n. and L. maxillosa: A. holotype worker of L. polaszeki sp. n., head in frontal view, CASENT 0922261, B. L. maxillosa, Syntype worker, head in frontal view, CASENT0102266 (photographer: April Nobile), C. holotype worker of L. polaszeki sp. n., body in profile, CASENT 0922261, D. L. maxillosa, syntype worker, body in profile, CASENT0102266, E. holotype worker of L. polaszeki sp. n. body in dorsal view.
Figure 1. SEM image of worker of Leptogenys polaszeki sp. n. 1A. Head, mesosoma, and petiole in p... more Figure 1. SEM image of worker of Leptogenys polaszeki sp. n. 1A. Head, mesosoma, and petiole in profile; 1B. Head in frontal view; 1C. Petiole and gaster in profile.
Abstract. We describe the new species Temnothorax almeqeri sp. nov. from the Asir Mountains, King... more Abstract. We describe the new species Temnothorax almeqeri sp. nov. from the Asir Mountains, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia based on the worker caste and present a revised key to the Arabian Temnothorax species. The new species is illustrated using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Temnothorax almeqeri sp. nov. closely resembles the African species, T. cinatus Bolton 1982 from Kenya, but can be distinguished by the following characters: promesonotum and mesosoma in profile meet in an elevated ridge; profile of propodeal spines sharp, long and curved; meosomal sculpture strong; body pilosity more abundant, finer and distinctly longer on mesosoma, petiole and postpetiole; body brown; mandibles, appendages, anterior ¼ portion of first gastral tergite and end of gaster uniform yellow.
The present study shows an updated synoptic list of the 30 known Isoptera of the Arabian Peninsul... more The present study shows an updated synoptic list of the 30 known Isoptera of the Arabian Peninsula which are classified under four families and nine genera. Twenty-seven species are hitherto known from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The present inventory of the termites of Riyadh Province (KSA) indicated three species, Anacanthotermes ochraceous (Burmeister 1839), Psammotermes hypostoma Desneux, 1902 and a rare species, Coptotermes heimi (Wasmann 1902). We present an illustrated key to species based on the soldier caste. Anacanthotermes ochraceous, and P. hypostoma are widely distributed Palearctic species whereas C. heimi seems rare and is a new record for KSA. Distribution maps for the three species are provided based on recently collected material and literature records and remarks on species habitat preference are given.
ABSTRACT Tetramorium sericeiventre Emery, 1877 is a widespread ant of Africa, Arabia, and neighbo... more ABSTRACT Tetramorium sericeiventre Emery, 1877 is a widespread ant of Africa, Arabia, and neighbouring areas. Across its broad range, T. sericeiventre shows much variation and many different forms have been described. In the present study, we report additional site records of T. sericeiventre on the Arabian Peninsula, and provide information on species variation, habitat, behaviour, and distribution. In addition, we evaluate the global distribution of this species and present a taxonomic diagnosis of T. sericeiventre for facilitating species recognition. Tetramorium sericeiventre thrives in a wide variety of open habitats, ranging from intact natural areas to sites heavily disturbed by human activity. Genetic analyses would be useful in elicidating the relationships among the many different forms of T. sericeiventre.
Urbanization affects all elements of the pre-urban environment, including soils, hydrology, veget... more Urbanization affects all elements of the pre-urban environment, including soils, hydrology, vegetation, and microclimate. Recently, Saudi Arabia has experienced rapid urbanization and growth. Thus, the country’s biodiversity has been threatened. In the Riyadh region, beetle assemblages were assessed along a rural-suburban-urban gradient. A total of 2791 individuals from 94 species belonging to seven families were collected at 15 sites along three different gradients of urbanization in Wadi Hanifa, which runs for a length of 120 km from northwest to southeast. Tenebrionidae dominated abundance (60.1%) and richness (38%). Beetle abundance, evenness, and diversity were not different among habitats; however, species richness was higher in rural habitats. Detrended correspondence “DCA” and canonical correspondence “CCA” analyses showed distinct differences among sites along gradients. Urbanization intensity, soil variables, and land cover were significantly correlated with CCA axis 1, wh...
(Figure 11)Dhee Ain (Al-Mekhwa) 19.55459° N, 41.26302° E: March <i>–</i> May 2011. [F... more (Figure 11)Dhee Ain (Al-Mekhwa) 19.55459° N, 41.26302° E: March <i>–</i> May 2011. [First record in KSA].
Figure 2. Automontage images of male of Leptogenys polaszeki sp. n. A. Body in profile; B. Head i... more Figure 2. Automontage images of male of Leptogenys polaszeki sp. n. A. Body in profile; B. Head in frontal view; C. Body in dorsal view (CASENT0922262) (Photograph: Michele Esposito).
Figure 4. Automontage images of Leptogenys polaszeki sp. n. and L. maxillosa: A. holotype worker ... more Figure 4. Automontage images of Leptogenys polaszeki sp. n. and L. maxillosa: A. holotype worker of L. polaszeki sp. n., head in frontal view, CASENT 0922261, B. L. maxillosa, Syntype worker, head in frontal view, CASENT0102266 (photographer: April Nobile), C. holotype worker of L. polaszeki sp. n., body in profile, CASENT 0922261, D. L. maxillosa, syntype worker, body in profile, CASENT0102266, E. holotype worker of L. polaszeki sp. n. body in dorsal view.
Figure 1. SEM image of worker of Leptogenys polaszeki sp. n. 1A. Head, mesosoma, and petiole in p... more Figure 1. SEM image of worker of Leptogenys polaszeki sp. n. 1A. Head, mesosoma, and petiole in profile; 1B. Head in frontal view; 1C. Petiole and gaster in profile.
Abstract. We describe the new species Temnothorax almeqeri sp. nov. from the Asir Mountains, King... more Abstract. We describe the new species Temnothorax almeqeri sp. nov. from the Asir Mountains, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia based on the worker caste and present a revised key to the Arabian Temnothorax species. The new species is illustrated using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Temnothorax almeqeri sp. nov. closely resembles the African species, T. cinatus Bolton 1982 from Kenya, but can be distinguished by the following characters: promesonotum and mesosoma in profile meet in an elevated ridge; profile of propodeal spines sharp, long and curved; meosomal sculpture strong; body pilosity more abundant, finer and distinctly longer on mesosoma, petiole and postpetiole; body brown; mandibles, appendages, anterior ¼ portion of first gastral tergite and end of gaster uniform yellow.
The present study shows an updated synoptic list of the 30 known Isoptera of the Arabian Peninsul... more The present study shows an updated synoptic list of the 30 known Isoptera of the Arabian Peninsula which are classified under four families and nine genera. Twenty-seven species are hitherto known from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The present inventory of the termites of Riyadh Province (KSA) indicated three species, Anacanthotermes ochraceous (Burmeister 1839), Psammotermes hypostoma Desneux, 1902 and a rare species, Coptotermes heimi (Wasmann 1902). We present an illustrated key to species based on the soldier caste. Anacanthotermes ochraceous, and P. hypostoma are widely distributed Palearctic species whereas C. heimi seems rare and is a new record for KSA. Distribution maps for the three species are provided based on recently collected material and literature records and remarks on species habitat preference are given.
ABSTRACT Tetramorium sericeiventre Emery, 1877 is a widespread ant of Africa, Arabia, and neighbo... more ABSTRACT Tetramorium sericeiventre Emery, 1877 is a widespread ant of Africa, Arabia, and neighbouring areas. Across its broad range, T. sericeiventre shows much variation and many different forms have been described. In the present study, we report additional site records of T. sericeiventre on the Arabian Peninsula, and provide information on species variation, habitat, behaviour, and distribution. In addition, we evaluate the global distribution of this species and present a taxonomic diagnosis of T. sericeiventre for facilitating species recognition. Tetramorium sericeiventre thrives in a wide variety of open habitats, ranging from intact natural areas to sites heavily disturbed by human activity. Genetic analyses would be useful in elicidating the relationships among the many different forms of T. sericeiventre.
Urbanization affects all elements of the pre-urban environment, including soils, hydrology, veget... more Urbanization affects all elements of the pre-urban environment, including soils, hydrology, vegetation, and microclimate. Recently, Saudi Arabia has experienced rapid urbanization and growth. Thus, the country’s biodiversity has been threatened. In the Riyadh region, beetle assemblages were assessed along a rural-suburban-urban gradient. A total of 2791 individuals from 94 species belonging to seven families were collected at 15 sites along three different gradients of urbanization in Wadi Hanifa, which runs for a length of 120 km from northwest to southeast. Tenebrionidae dominated abundance (60.1%) and richness (38%). Beetle abundance, evenness, and diversity were not different among habitats; however, species richness was higher in rural habitats. Detrended correspondence “DCA” and canonical correspondence “CCA” analyses showed distinct differences among sites along gradients. Urbanization intensity, soil variables, and land cover were significantly correlated with CCA axis 1, wh...
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