Cardiocondyla brachyceps Seifert 2003 [type investigation] This taxon has been described from west of Shiraz / Iran. Investigated were the holotype worker and 15 worker paratypes labelled “Iran, Fars 1997 (15), 51 road-km W Shiraz, Chehel Chesmeh, 1940 m, 17.9.; leg. Schödl “, NHM Wien; 9 worker paratypes from the same sample in SMN Goerlitz. 3 worker paratypes labelled “ ARTVIN —Taslica, 10 km W Artvin, 1000 mH, Laubmischwald, Steinmauer, leg. Schulz 02.07.89 TÜRKEI ”, SMN Goerlitz. All material examined. Numeric phenotypical data were available in 4 samples with 13 workers. For details see supplementary information SI1, SI2. This material originated from Afghanistan (1 sample), Georgia (1) and Iran (2). Geographic range. From S Georgia and NE Turkey (41.7°E) eastwards over the Iran to E Afghanistan (69.5°E). The altitudinal range extends from 5 m in Georgia to 2000 m in Iran. Diagnosis: --Worker (Tab. 1, Figs. 18–21, key; pictures CASENT0919731 in www.antweb.org). Relatively large, CS 559 µm. Head rather short, CL/CW 1.131. Postocular distance very low, PoOc/CL 0.380. Scape rather long, SL/CS 0.831. Eye rather large, EYE/CS 0.251. Occipital margin suggestively concave. Frons rather broad (FRS/ CS 0.257), frontal carinae slightly converging immediately caudal of FRS level (FL/FR 1.044). Dorsal profile of promesonotum and of propodeum convex with a deep metanotal depression (MGr/CS 4.39 %). Propodeal spines slightly longer and slightly thinner than in related species (SP/CS 0.128), their axis in profile deviating by about 35° from longitudinal axis of mesosoma, their bases more approached (SPBA/CS 0.237). Petiole narrower than in C. elegans and as high as wide (PeW/CS 0.299, PeH/CS 0.301); in profile with a long peduncle that is about 1.8fold as long as wide and an extremely steep anterior slope of the node (about 85° relative to ventral profile). Postpetiole much narrower and lower than in related species (PpW/CS 0.522, PpH/CS 0.260), in dorsal view heard-shaped, with a concave anterior margin and convex sides; postpetiolar sternite with the anteromedian portion significantly more bulging than its anteroparamedian portion; in lateral view this anteromedian bulge forms a small, obtusely-angled, rounded corner and changes into the helcium with a distinct angle. Frontal laminae, paramedian vertex, and lateral clypeus with weak longitudinal sculpture. Vertex with strongly demarcated, bicoronate foveolae of 18–21 µm diameter; interspaces narrower than foveolar diameter, near to eyes larger; the interspaces between foveolae shiny and in places with fragments of a very delicate microreticulum. Mesosoma on most of its surface shining and with very fine microreticulum. Dorsal promesonotum finely longitudinally rugulose and with scattered bicoronate foveolae. Lateral meso- and metapleurae delicately longitudinally striate-reticulate; at lower magnifications appearing duller, contrasting the shining lateral parts of mesonotum and pronotum. Dorsum of waist glabrous except for a very delicate microreticulum. First gaster tergite glabrous. Pubescence on whole body long but less dense than in related species, PLG/CS 7.96 %, sqPDG 4.65. Color variable: head medium brown to blackish brown; mesosoma and petiole usually light orange-brown, in specimens with to dark brown mesosoma an orange-yellowish color component is still visible; postpetiole and gaster dark to blackish brown. Taxonomic comments and clustering results. Cardiocondyla brachyceps is obviously a member of the C. elegans species group but differs from C. elegans, C. dalmatica and C. dalmaticoides n. sp. by much narrower and lower waist segments, more dilute pubescence and the differing petiole profile (compare Figs. 7, 11, 15 and 19). In numeric terms, C. brachyceps is strongly separable from the other three species by a PCA of the characters PpH/CS, dFOV, SL/CS, PoOc/CL, sqPDG, SP/CS, PLG/CS and PeW/CS (Fig. 135). Biology. The nest sample from Georgia was collected on a sandy riverbank with scattered bushes.

Published as part of Seifert, Bernhard, 2023, A revision of the Palaearctic species of the ant genus Cardiocondyla Emery 1869 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), pp. 1-64 in Zootaxa 5274 (1) on page 31, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5274.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/7888156