@article {51, title = {Foraging activity and food preferences of the samsum ant, Pachycondyla sennaarensis}, journal = {Bulletin of Insectology}, volume = {66}, year = {2013}, pages = {187-193}, author = {Mashaly, Ashraf Mohamed Ali and Al-Mekhalfi, Fahad Abdu and Abdullah M. AL-QAHTANI} } @article {34, title = {Hypersensivity to Samsun ants.}, journal = {The Lancet}, volume = {339}, year = {1992}, pages = {552{\textendash}553}, author = {Dip, G. and R.K. Ferguson and V. Slijivic} } @article {33, title = {Allergie {\`a} la fourmi Pachycondyla sennaarensis aux Emirats Arabes Unis.}, journal = {Bulletin de la Soci{\'e}t{\'e} de Pathologie Exotique}, volume = {85}, year = {1992}, pages = {400{\textendash}408}, author = {Dip, G.} } @article {18, title = {Geographic spread of the samsum or sword ant, Pachycondyla (Brachyponera) sennaarensis (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)}, journal = {Myrmecological News}, volume = {18}, year = {2013}, pages = {13-18}, abstract = {

The samsum or sword ant, Pachycondyla (Brachyponera) sennaarensis (MAYR, 1862), is a widespread, conspicuous ant in the savannas and open forests of sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East. This ant is also common in villages and cities, where it is well known for its powerful sting that sometimes leads to anaphylactic shock in humans and even death. Recent first reports of P. sennaarensis from subtropical parts (\> 23.4\° N) of the Arabian Peninsula and Iran have led many researchers to conclude that populations of this ant are expanding. To evaluate this possibility, I compiled and mapped specimen records of P. sennaarensis from \> 300 sites. I documented the earliest known P. sennaarensis records for 40 countries, including several for which I found no previously published records: Bahrain, Chad, India, Liberia, Mozambique, and Zambia.

}, keywords = {Biogeography, biological invasion, pest ants, range expansion.}, author = {James K. Wetterer} } @article {10, title = {Additions to the ant fauna (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of Oman: an updated list, new records and a description of two new species}, journal = {Asian Myrmecology}, volume = {10}, year = {2018}, month = {16/02/2018}, pages = {1-38}, abstract = {

An updated list of ant species (Formicidae) known from Oman is provided, including both published records and recently collected material, and bringing the total number to 123 species belonging to 24 genera and four subfamilies. In the present study thirty-four ant species were collected from Oman during expeditions in 2016 and 2017. Ten ant species are recorded for the\  rst time in Oman : Cardiocondyla breviscapa Seifert, 2003, C. mauritanica Forel, 1890, C. yemeni Collingwood \& Agosti, 1996, Erromyrma latinodis (Mayr, 1872), Hypoponera abeillei (Andr\é, 1881), Lepisiota opaciventris (Finzi, 1936), Monomorium dichroum Forel, 1902, Pheidole parva Mayr, 1865, Plagiolepis boltoni Sharaf, Aldawood \& Taylor, 2011, and Tetramorium lanuginosum Mayr, 1870. The genus Aphaenogaster is recorded for the\  rst time from Oman, and two new species of Aphaenogaster are described based on the worker caste: A. sarae sp. n. and A. asmaae sp. n. The\  rst key to the Arabian Aphaenogaster is presented. The genus Erromyrma Bolton \& Fisher, 2016 is recorded for the\  rst time from Oman and the Arabian Peninsula by the sole species E. latinodis (Mayr, 1872). The queen caste of Pl. boltoni Sharaf, Aldawood \& Taylor, 2011 is also described for the\  rst time from Masfat Al- Ebreien, Oman. New distributional records are given with biological notes for species when available.

}, keywords = {Aphaenogaster, Arabian Peninsula, Asir Province, Erromyrma, invasive species, key, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Middle East, Palearctic region}, doi = {10.20362/am.010004}, url = {http://www.asian-myrmecology.org/publications/am10/sharaf-et-al-2018-am010004.pdf}, author = {Mostafa R. Sharaf and Brian L. Fisher and Hathal M. Al Dhafer and Andrew Polaszek and Abdulrahman S. Aldawood} } @article {7, title = {Introduced ants in the United Arab Emirates.}, journal = {Journal of Arid Environments}, volume = {37}, year = {1997}, month = {27/06/1997}, pages = {505-512}, abstract = {

Fifteen species of introduced ants, including eight cosmopolitan or tramp species, are recorded for the first time in the United Arab Emirates. They are Cardiocondyla emeryi,Camponotus compressus, Iridomyrmex anceps, Linepithema humile, Monomorium destructor, Monomorium indicum, Pachycondyla sennaarensis, Paratrechina flavipes, Paratrechina jaegerskioeldi, Paratrechina longicomis, Pheidole teneriffana, Solenopsis geminata, Tapinoma melanocephalum, Tapinoma simrothi and Tetramorium bicarinatum. A synopsis of their distribution, biology and pest status is given. Introduced species contribute an unusually high proportion of local ants and the ecological implications of their presence are discussed, including displacement of native fauna and impact upon human health. These ants abound in man-made, mesic environments and do not reach the characteristic sandy deserts of the region. Most invasive species are probably benign, but P. sennaarensis, M. destructor and S. geminata pose potential problems as public health and nuisance pests. The highly competitive S. geminata and L. humile may also threaten the local entomofauna and biodiversity.

}, keywords = {ants, Formicidae, introduced species, public health pests, tramp ants, United Arab Emirates}, url = {http://antbase.org/ants/publications/9504/9504.pdf}, author = {Cedric A. Collingwood and Barbara J. Tigar and Donat Agosti} } @article {6, title = {Samsum ant, Brachyponera sennaarensis (Formicidae: Ponerinae): Distribution and abundance in Saudi Arabia}, volume = {22}, year = {2015}, month = {22/05/2015}, pages = {575-579}, abstract = {

Invasive species are capable of causing considerable damage to natural ecosystems, agriculture and economies throughout the World. Samsum ant, Brachyponera (Pachycondyla) sennaarensis has been a reason for medical implication and social nuisance through its poisonous and severely painful sting causing anaphylactic shock in many cases. We surveyed for the presence of the samsum ant in various provinces of Saudi Arabia. B. sennaarensis was the abundant Ponerinae species in human settlements. In the Eastern provinces, however, few samples were collected, and none were found in the Northern and Western provinces. Infestations of B. sennaarensis were particularly severe in the spring and summer seasons, when the ants make nests in moist areas and in cracks in cemented structures, whereas the extent of infestation reduced in winter seasons.

}, keywords = {Brachyponera (Pachycondyla) sennaarensis, Distribution, Ponerinae, Samsum ant, Saudi Arabia}, doi = {10.1016/j.sjbs.2015.05.011}, author = {Mohammed Saleh Al-Khalifa and Mashaly, Ashraf Mohamed Ali and Siddiqui, Mohammed Iqbal and Al-Mekhalfi, Fahad Abdu} } @article {3, title = {Morphology and ultrastructure of the venom gland in the ant Brachyponera sennaarensis.}, journal = {Asian Myrmecology}, volume = {10}, year = {2018}, month = {13.2.2018}, pages = {1-9}, chapter = {1}, abstract = {

We studied the morphology and ultrastructure of the venom gland of queens and workers of the samsum ant Brachyponera sennaarensis, which is known for its very painful sting. The general anatomical features of the gland are similar to those of other ants. The secretory cells do not have a granular endoplasmic reticulum, but contain numerous scattered free ribosomes and a well-developed Golgi apparatus. The convoluted gland represents an additional secretory tissue, in which the venom reaches its final toxicity. A considerable muscular supply surrounds the venom reservoir, and allows a forceful squeezing out of the venom during stinging. The ants have a mainly granivorous diet during the dry season, and feed on animal prey during the rainy season. For their prey hunting, and possibly also to protect the stored seeds against potential seed thieves, they need to rely on a powerful venom gland.

}, keywords = {Brachyponera sennaarensis, morphology, ultrastructure, venom gland}, doi = {10.20362/am.010005}, url = {http://www.asian-myrmecology.org/publications/am10/billen-and-al-khalifa-2018-am010005.pdf }, author = {Johan Billen and Mohammed Saleh Al-Khalifa} } @article {1, title = {Studies on the distribution of Pachycondyla sennaarensis (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Ponerinae) in Saudi Arabia. 1. Ar-Riyadh region.}, journal = {Pakistan Journal of Zoology}, volume = {42}, year = {2010}, pages = {707-713}, chapter = {707}, abstract = {

In Ar-Riyadh Region in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), the Governorates of Al-Zulfi, Al-Ghat and Al-Majmah (north zone), of Al-Hariq, Al-Aflaj and Hawtat Bani Tamim (south zone), of Hijrat Sa{\textquoteleft}ad (east zone), of Shaqra, Durma, Al-Qasab, Huraimela{\textquoteleft}a (west zone) and Riyadh City (central zone) were surveyed for the presence of Pachycondyla sennaarensis monthly during the period from December 2007 to December 2009. The ant was not detected in Al-Majmah or Al-Zulfi. It was detected in Al-Ghat and Hijrat Sa\&$\#$39;ad only in 2009, while it was found in small numbers in 2008 and in large numbers in 2009 in all west zone Governorates; which suggest that the ant was actively spreading in these localities. Large numbers of the ant were detected in the south and central zones\&$\#$39; Governorates during both years. The positive localities were infested more heavily during spring and summer. The ants seemed to have adapted to the hot and dry weather of Riyadh Region especially in spring and summer by establishing the nests in moist sand in irrigated gardens, parks, housing areas and roadside plantations. This ant is a condemned health hazard and more field studies and quarantine measures are essential for its control.

}, author = {Mohammed Saleh Al-Khalifa and Ahmed, Ashraf Mohamed and Mashaly, Ashraf Mohamed Ali and Al-Mekhalfi, Fahad Abdu and Khaiil, Galila and Siddiqui, Mohammed Iqbal and Ali, Mahmoud Fadl} }