The first report of ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in salt marshes and saline soils in the central regions of Iran

During researches carried out in saline marshlands and dandies in the central regions of Iran in the years of 1395 and 1396, 21 samples were collected by the hand-trapping method in 3 seasons of spring, summer and autumn from 5 stations. Of these, nine species belonging to 5 genera and 5 tribes and two subfamilies of Myrmicinae and Formicinae were identified. Species identified are: Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribe: Stenammini Genus: Messor Species: 1)Messor ebeninus Tribe: Solenopsidini Genus: Monomorium Species: 2)Monomorium indicum 3)M. rimae n. sp. Tribe: Crematogastrini Genus: Tetramorium Species: 4)Tetramorium sp. Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Formicini Genus: Cataglyphis Species: 5)Cataglyphis niger 6)C. bellicosus 7)C. setipes 8)C. lividus Tribe: Plagiolepidini Genus: Lepisiota Species: 9)Lepisiota dolabellae All species are reported for the first time from salt marshes and saline soils in the central regions of Iran and also all the identified species verified by prof. Brian Taylor, a member of the Royal Society of British Entomological Society.