Ant fauna (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of the Socotra Archipelago (Yemen): zoogeography, distribution and description of a new species Author Sharaf, Mostafa R. Author Fisher, Brian L. Author Collingwood, Cedric A. Author Aldawood, Abdulrahman S. text Journal of Natural History 2017 J. Nat. Hist. 2017-01-27 51 5 - 6 317 378 http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2016.1271157 journal article 55739 10.1080/00222933.2016.1271157 f91a0e7b-c4c5-458a-858a-9de4cf82e13f 1464-5262 5184295 89612083-9CE6-48E8-8975-1CE5334E098B Brachyponera sennaarensis ( Mayr, 1862 ) ( Figure 27 (a–c)) Ponera sennaarensis Mayr, 1862: 721 (w.) Sudan . Afrotropical. Diagnosis Worker . Large species (TL 5–6). Head broader than mesosoma, with convex sides and emarginated posterior margin; eyes relatively large; metanotal groove deeply impressed; petiole a high and thick node with a straight anterior surface and a convex posterior surface; first and second gastral tergites separated by a distinct constriction characteristic for ponerine ants; gaster ending with a powerful sting. Dark brown to blackish brown, antennae, tibiae and tarsi reddish. All body surfaces covered with fine and dense pubescence. Material examined Yemen , Socotra Island , W. Sakhalof , 27 April 2014 , 48 m, (M. R . Sharaf leg.), 12.63311°N , 54.05632°E (1 w, KSMA ); Yemen , Socotra Island , Qalansyia, W . Taisoh, 25 April 2014 , 67 m, (M. R . Sharaf leg.), 12.65880°N , 53.46988°E (2 w, KSMA ); Yemen , Socotra Island , Dixam, 24 April 2014 , 449 m, (M. R . Sharaf leg.), 12.52430°N , 53.88186°E (2 w, KSMA ); Yemen , Socotra Island , Dixam, 24 April 2014 , 656 m, (M. R . Sharaf leg.), 12.49320°N , 53.99145°E (1 w, KSMA , 1 w, CASC ); Yemen , Socotra Island , Dixam, 24 April 2014 , 610 m, (M. R . Sharaf leg.), 12.46557°N , 54.00247°E (1 w, KSMA ); Yemen , Socotra Island , Himihil Protectorate, 23 April 2014 , 355 m, (M. R . Sharaf leg.), 12.58954°N , 54.30570°E (2 w, KSMA ); Yemen , Socotra Island , Himihil Protectorate, 23 April 2014 , 372 m, (M. R . Sharaf leg.), 12.57615°N , 54.30651°E (1 w, KSMA ); Yemen , Socotra Island , Haydibo, Erheno, 19 April 2014 , 33 m, (M. R . Sharaf leg.), 12.65023°N , 54.04016°E (4 w, KSMA ); Yemen , Socotra Island , W. Jo’ o, 21 April 2014 , 196 m, (M. R . Sharaf leg.), 12.54038°N , 54.17186°E , (4 w, KSMA ); Yemen , Socotra Island , W. Feriho (daitab), 21 April 2014 , 93 m, (M. R . Sharaf leg.), 12.44103°N , 54.15576°E (1 w, KSMA ); Yemen , Socotra Island , Lehanoh , 22 April 2014 , 931 m, (M. R . Sharaf leg.), 12.57583°N , 54.04836°E (1 w, KSMA ); Yemen , Socotra Island , Dehejamo , 22 April 2014 , 563 m, (M. R . Sharaf leg.), 12.59049°N , 54.05205°E (4 w, KSMA ) . Figure 27. Brachyponera sennaarensis . (a) Body in profile. (b) Head in full-face view, CASENT0746634, AntWeb.org, (Zach Lieberman). (c) Distribution map, blue circles from recent records, red circles from Collingwood et al. (2004) . Geographic range Brachyponera sennaarensis is one of the more successful invasive Ponerine ants ( Wetterer 2013 ), being broadly distributed throughout Sub-Saharan Africa, Iran ( Akbarzadeh et al. 2006 ; Paknia 2006 ; Tourenq and Shuriqi 2010 ), and several countries of the Arabian Peninsula including KSA ( Collingwood 1985 ), UAE , Yemen , Oman ( Collingwood and Agosti 1996 ; Collingwood et al. 2011 ) and Qatar (Sharaf and Aldawood unpublished data). Ecological and biological notes Brachyponera sennaarensis has invaded a wide range of habitats on Socotra , especially soil that is moist covered with the leaf litter of date palm trees. This species also commonly nests under rocks and objects associated with moist soils. Brachyponera sennaarensis has also invaded the relatively undisturbed valleys of the island where streams and denser vegetation are found. A nest was found under a stone under a dragon blood tree.