گزارش جدید مورچه Nylanderia sindbadi (Pisarski, 1960) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) از ایران

Ants are one of the most commonly encountered terrestrial invertebrate groups and play important ecological roles in natural and man-made habitats. They occupy multiple niches and interact with a wide range of organisms. Ant assemblages tend to reflect the habitat conditions such as plant cover, soil type and disturbance regimes. Ants are generally reported to react quickly to environmental changes. These characteristics make ants good bioindicators of environmental change. To evaluate the ants fauna in Isfahan Province, sampling of ant nest was conducted during 2021-2022. The main method, for sampling was direct sampling (hand collecting). Ant specimens were collected on the ground, in leaf litter, under stones, in dead wood, on tree trunks and twigs. Nnecessary information such as geographical location (with GPS), name of location, date, habitats and other important data were recorded. Then samples were transferred to the laboratory and placed within the 75% ethanol for preservation. These samples were identified using appropriate references. Amon them three worker of Nylanderia sindbadi (Pisarski, 1960) were collected from the grass, in Nazhvan Park, Isfahan. This is first record of N. sindbadi from Iran. This species is a member of the subfamily Formicinae. It was described under name Paratrechina sindbadi from Iraq (Bagdad) based on males and gyne. Subsequently, it was recorded from Afghanistan based only on two gynes and from one province of Palestine without detailed data on collected castes and habitat preferences. Due that no description of worker caste has ever been published, and there is no photograph presenting this caste for this species. We provide a detailed description and photos of worker of this species as soon as possible.