New record of Camponotus husseini Dietrich, 2004 and confirmation of Polyrhachis lacteipennis Smith, 1858 in Oman, with additional morphometric data on Polyrhachis palaearctica Dietrich, 2004 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Abstract

Camponotus husseini Dietrich, 2004 is recorded from Oman for the first time based on material collected in the Dhofar Governorate. Identification was confirmed using morphometric characters and the discriminant formula proposed by Dietrich (2004), together with the presence of multiple subcephalic bristles. In addition, the presence of Polyrhachis lacteipennis F. Smith, 1858 in Oman is confirmed. Comparative morphometric analyses were conducted between Omani specimens of P. lacteipennis and material of Polyrhachis palaearctica Dietrich, 2004 collected near its type locality at the Dead Sea. Measurements of the dorsal spine index (DSI) demonstrate clear differences between the two species, supporting their separation despite partial overlaps in some other characters. The results further indicate that DSI represents a reliable diagnostic character, whereas other traits such as spine curvature and gastral pilosity appear less consistent. These findings contribute new distributional data for the ant fauna of the Arabian Peninsula and provide additional morphometric information relevant to the taxonomy of the Camponotus sericeus (Fabricius, 1798) and Polyrhachis dives species groups.