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. 2023 Nov 28:1185:105-142.
doi: 10.3897/zookeys.1185.111484. eCollection 2023.

Review of the Messorsemirufus complex (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) in Greece

Sebastian Salata  1 , Albena Lapeva-Gjonova  2 , Christos Georgiadis  3 , Lech Borowiec  1
Affiliations

Review of the Messorsemirufus complex (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) in Greece

Sebastian Salata et al. Zookeys. .

Abstract

Messor is a diverse genus of Myrmicinae with 168 extant species and subspecies. In the Mediterranean, some of its taxa historically were classified as members of the Messorinstabilis group (sensu Santschi), of which 19 are known from the eastern Mediterranean. Here, the Messorsemirufus complex of the Balkan Peninsula that assembles a distinct subsection of members of the instabilis group is defined and treated. In total, five species are recorded, including three that are new. Messoratanassovii Atanassov, 1982 is redescribed and confirmed for Bulgaria (Thracian Plain, Struma, and Mesta Valley, Pirin Mt., and Eastern Rhodopi) and Greece (Epirus, Ionian Islands, Central and Eastern Macedonia, and Thraki). Three species are described as new to science: Messordanaes Salata, Georgiadis & Borowiec, sp. nov. (Cyclades: Serifos), Messorkardamenae Salata & Borowiec, sp. nov. (Dodecanese: Kos, Nisyros, Rhodes, and Tilos), and Messorveneris Salata, Georgiadis & Borowiec, sp. nov. (Cyclades: Milos). The fifth member of the complex, Messorcreticus Borowiec & Salata, 2019, maintains its status of Cretan endemic.

Keywords: Balkans; Bulgaria; Myrmicinae; eastern Mediterranean; identification key; new species; redescription.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figures 1, 2.
Figures 1, 2.
Major worker of Messoratanassovii Atanassov, 1982, population from Epirus 1 dorsal 2 lateral. Scale bar: 1 mm.
Figures 3, 4.
Figures 3, 4.
Minor worker of Messoratanassovii Atanassov, 1982, population from Epirus 3 dorsal 4 lateral. Scale bar: 1 mm.
Figures 5, 6.
Figures 5, 6.
The palest specimens of Messoratanassovii Atanassov, 1982, population from Epirus 5 medium worker 6 minor worker. Scale bar: 1 mm.
Figures 7–9.
Figures 7–9.
Workers of Messoratanassovii Atanassov, 1982 of population from Thraki 7, 8 medium workers 9 major worker. Scale bar: 1 mm.
Figures 10, 11.
Figures 10, 11.
Head of Messoratanassovii Atanassov, 1982, population from Epirus 10 major worker 11 minor worker. Scale bar: 1 mm.
Figures 12, 13.
Figures 12, 13.
Gyne of Messoratanassovii Atanassov, 1982, population from Epirus 12 dorsal 13 lateral. Scale bar: 1 mm.
Figure 14.
Figure 14.
Head of gyne of Messoratanassovii Atanassov, 1982, population from Epirus. Scale bar: 1 mm.
Figures 15, 16.
Figures 15, 16.
Major worker of Messordanaes Salata, Georgiadis & Borowiec, sp. nov., holotype 15 dorsal 16 lateral. Scale bar: 1 mm.
Figures 17, 18.
Figures 17, 18.
Minor worker of Messordanaes Salata, Georgiadis & Borowiec, sp. nov. 17 dorsal 18 lateral. Scale bar: 1 mm.
Figures 19, 20.
Figures 19, 20.
Head of Messordanaes Salata, Georgiadis & Borowiec, sp. nov. 19 major worker 20 minor worker. Scale bar: 1 mm.
Figures 21, 22.
Figures 21, 22.
Major worker of Messorkardamenae Salata & Borowiec, sp. nov., holotype from Kos 21 dorsal 22 lateral. Scale bar: 1 mm.
Figures 23, 24.
Figures 23, 24.
Minor worker of Messorkardamenae Salata & Borowiec, sp. nov., population from Kos 23 dorsal 24 lateral. Scale bar: 1 mm.
Figures 25, 26.
Figures 25, 26.
Worker of Messorkardamenae Salata & Borowiec, sp. nov. 25 major worker from Rhodes 26 medium worker from Nisyros. Scale bar: 1 mm.
Figures 27, 28.
Figures 27, 28.
Head of Messorkardamenae Salata & Borowiec, sp. nov., population from Kos 27 major worker 28 minor worker. Scale bar: 1 mm.
Figures 29, 30.
Figures 29, 30.
Major worker of Messorveneris Salata, Georgiadis & Borowiec, sp. nov., holotype 29 dorsal 30 lateral. Scale bar: 1 mm.
Figures 31, 32.
Figures 31, 32.
Minor worker of Messorveneris Salata, Georgiadis & Borowiec, sp. nov. 31 dorsal 32 lateral. Scale bar: 1 mm.
Figures 33, 34.
Figures 33, 34.
Head of Messorveneris Salata, Georgiadis & Borowiec, sp. nov. 33 major worker 34 minor worker. Scale bar: 1 mm.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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