Cardiocondyla hashemi sp. n., a new species of the C. batesii species-group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Saudi Arabia, with a key to the Saudi species

A new species, Cardiocondyla hashemi sp. n. is described and illustrated using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) based on the worker caste. Cardiocondyla hashemi is a member of the C. batesii species-group with a resemblance to C. tenuifrons Seifert, 2003 from Jordan. Cardiocondyla hashemi can be readily distinguished by the uniform yellow body, the rare or distinctly scattered foveolae on the posterior third of cephalic surface, the broadly medially concave anterior clypeal margin, the sculptured mesosomal dorsum except for the mesonotum which is shallowly sculptured with faint longitudinal rugae, and petiolar node distinctly densely microreticulate. Ecological and biological remarks on the type locality are given. A key to the Saudi fauna of the genus Cardiocondyla is presented.