pallidus group

Diagnosis

Workers and females: Cataglyphis ants with the following diagnostic characters:

1. Petiole squamiform, the anterior and the posterior surface meeting at an angle but only partially forming a crest (Fig. 7).

2. MPI <80; third segment round in cross-section; erect hairs on third segment not longer than 1-5 x maximum diameter of third segment, pilosity all over the surface.

3. Uniform coloured either yellow or a dark chestnut-brown.

4. Head smooth and shining.

5. Alitrunk length of large workers <2 mm.

Males: Cataglyphis ants with the following diagnostic characters:

1. Uniform brownish-black or with a reddish or yellow gaster.

2. Subgenital plate short (SPI <125); with two distal, lateral finger-shaped processes and a median part which is variable but always present (Fig. 14).

3. Squamula caudally always projecting over the stipes and forming a distinct, pediform process pointing ventrally (Fig. 29).

4. Volsella straight, divergent and distally pediform (Fig. 49).

5. Sagitta with a rectangular shield (Fig. 64).

Distribution

The pallidus species-group includes three species all described from the vicinity of Ashkhabad and living in the central asiatic desert and semidesert biotopes, such as the Kara Kumy. C.emeryi lives in the Saxaul desert, and pallidus constructs its nests in the sand dunes. A detailed study of the behaviour of the ants of the pallidus group has been undertaken by Dlussky (1981).

Comments

Pallidus and emeryi are valid species. The infraspecific taxa of emeryi and pilosulus remain doubtful as no new material is available.