Crematogaster ghoneimi

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Unknown, Insufficient Data
• Origin & Habitat: Endemic to the Arabian Peninsula, found in the Al Sarawat Mountains of Saudi Arabia (Al Bahah Province) and recently recorded in Yemen. Collected in mountainous areas with high floral diversity at elevations 728-1881m ^[1][2].
• Colony Type: Colony structure is unconfirmed. No data on queen number or colony organization exists in scientific literature.
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: Unknown, not yet described in scientific literature
  • Worker: 2.2-2.6mm ^[1]
  • Colony: Unknown, no colony size data available
  • Growth: Unknown
  • Development: Unknown, no development data available for this species (Development time is unstudied.)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Likely warm-adapted based on Arabian Peninsula origin. Start around 24-28°C and observe colony activity.
  • Humidity: Likely prefers moderate to dry conditions given the arid-to-semiarid climate of their native range. Keep nest substrate lightly moist, allowing some drying between waterings. Avoid overly damp conditions.
  • Diapause: Unknown, no data on overwintering requirements. The species occurs at moderate-to-high elevations in mountains where cooler temperatures occur seasonally, so a cool period may be beneficial.
  • Nesting: No specific nesting data exists. In captivity, standard test tubes or small Y-tong nests work well for founding colonies. The species has been found in pitfall traps near ground level, suggesting ground-nesting behavior.
• Behavior: Behavior is unstudied. Crematogaster ants are known for their characteristic heart-shaped gaster that they raise when threatened, and their ability to squirt formic acid. Workers are moderately active foragers. Escape risk is moderate given their small size, use standard barrier methods.
• Common Issues: no captive husbandry data exists, this is a newly described species with no established care protocols, colony founding may be challenging since founding behavior has not been documented, unknown diapause requirements could lead to colony loss if kept too warm year-round, extremely limited availability, likely not available in the antkeeping hobby

Species Discovery and Identification

Crematogaster ghoneimi was described in 2022 by Sharaf and Aldawood, making it one of the newest ant species in scientific literature. It was discovered in the Al Bahah Province of Saudi Arabia, specifically in the Shada Al 'Ala nature reserve within the Al Sarawat Mountains. The species was named in honor of Egyptian urologist Professor Mohamed Ghoneim. In 2024, researchers reported the first records from Yemen, specifically from an urban garden in Taiz, suggesting the species may be expanding its range through human activity or has simply been overlooked. The most distinctive feature is the exceptionally long, thin propodeal spines, more than three times longer than their base, which easily separates it from related species like Crematogaster chiarinii. ^[1][2]

Natural Habitat and Distribution

This species is endemic to the Arabian Peninsula, known only from the Al Sarawat Mountains region that stretches from Saudi Arabia into Yemen. Type specimens were collected at elevations between 728m and 1881m in areas characterized by high floral diversity. The type locality near Shada Al 'Ala features plants including Juniperus procera (cypress), Acacia gerrardii, and Aloe officinalis. The collection site was next to an Adenium obesum (desert rose) tree. The Yemen record from an urban garden at 1400m elevation raises the possibility that the species may have been transported in imported plants, though more likely it represents a previously undocumented native range extension into modified habitats. ^[1][2]

Identification and Morphology

Workers measure 2.2-2.6mm in total length with a uniformly black to black-brown body and dark brown antennae. The head is as long as or slightly broader than long, with convex sides and a shallowly concave posterior margin. The antennal scapes just reach the posterior margin of the head when laid back. The propodeal spines are the most distinctive feature, they are exceptionally thin, long, and acute, being more than three times longer than their base and at least twice as long as the propodeal spiracle diameter. The promesonotum has a single pair of hairs, and the subpetiolar process is absent. The postpetiolar node is distinctly bilobed when viewed from above. These features distinguish it from all other Crematogaster species in the region. ^[1][2]

Caring for a Newly Described Species

Since Crematogaster ghoneimi was only described in 2022, there is no established husbandry protocol in the antkeeping hobby. This species represents both an opportunity and a challenge. Start with conditions typical for Crematogaster genus: a test tube setup for founding colonies, temperatures around 24-28°C, and moderately moist substrate. Observe your colony closely for signs of stress or comfort. Workers may show increased activity at warmer temperatures and may cluster in cooler areas if overheating. The lack of specific data means you will be contributing valuable observations to the antkeeping community. Consider documenting your colony's behavior, growth rate, and preferences to help future keepers.

Related Species for Comparison

Crematogaster ghoneimi is closely related to Crematogaster chiarinii, which occurs in East Africa. The two can be distinguished by the spine length, C. ghoneimi has spines more than three times longer than their base, while C. chiarinii has spines only about 1.5 times longer. Additionally, C. ghoneimi has a single pair of hairs on the promesonotum and lacks a subpetiolar process, whereas C. chiarinii has an acute subpetiolar process and no promesonotum hairs. Other regional Crematogaster species include Crematogaster acaciae, which can be found in similar habitats across the Arabian Peninsula. ^[1]

Frequently Asked Questions

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References