A new species of Crematogaster Lund, 1831 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Iran with an identification key to Iranian Crematogaster species

Abstract

A new species of Crematogaster Lund, 1831, Crematogaster gypsophila Mohseni, sp. nov., is described based on museum and worker specimens from Iran collected in 2022. Crematogaster gypsophila appears to be well-adapted to gypseous soils. It was found only at one site, a gypsum arid dryland covered with sparse but diverse vegetation, suggesting it may have a narrow niche breadth. Additionally, we present a synoptic list and an identification key to the Iranian Crematogaster species.