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A new species, Cardiocondyla hashemisp. n. is described and illustrated using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) based on the worker caste. Cardiocondyla hashemi is a member of the C. batesii species-group with a resemblance to C. tenuifrons Seifert, 2003 from Jordan. Cardiocondyla hashemi can be readily distinguished by the uniform yellow body, the rare or distinctly scattered foveolae on the posterior third of cephalic surface, the broadly medially concave anterior clypeal margin, the sculptured mesosomal dorsum except for the mesonotum which is shallowly sculptured with faint longitudinal rugae, and petiolar node distinctly densely microreticulate. Ecological and biological remarks on the type locality are given. A key to the Saudi fauna of the genus Cardiocondyla is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a highly contagious respiratory disease that leads to variable degrees of illness, and which may be fatal. We evaluated the diagnostic performance of each chest computed tomography (CT) reporting category recommended by the Expert Consensus of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) in comparison with that of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). We aimed to add an analysis of this form of reporting in the Middle East, as few studies have been performed there. Between July 2021 and February 2022, 184 patients with a mean age of 55.56 ± 16.71 years and probable COVID-19 infections were included in this retrospective study. Approximately 64.67% (119 patients) were male, while 35.33% (65 patients) were female. Within 7 days, all patients underwent CT and RT-PCR examinations. According to a statement by the RSNA, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy of each CT reporting category were calculated, and the RT-PCR results were used as a standard reference. The RT-PCR results confirmed a final diagnosis of COVID-19 infection in 60.33% of the patients. For COVID-19 diagnoses, the typical category (n = 88) had a sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and accuracy of 74.8%, 93.2%, 94.3%, and 92.5%, respectively. For non-COVID-19 diagnoses, the PPVs for the atypical (n = 22) and negative (n = 46) categories were 81.8% and 89.1%, respectively. The PPV for the indeterminate (n = 28) category was 67.9%, with a low sensitivity of 17.1%. However, the RSNA's four chest CT reporting categories provide a strong diagnostic foundation and are highly correlated with the RT-PCR results for the typical, atypical, and negative categories, but they are weaker for the indeterminate category. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Tapinoma Foerster belongs to the ant subfamily Dolichoderinae and the vast majority of its species are arboreal or generalised foragers. The genus is composed of 70 described species, 22 known subspecies and six valid fossil species worldwide, while from the Arabian Peninsula, three species have been recorded so far. New information Ants of the genus Tapinoma of the Arabian Peninsula are reviewed, keyed and illustrated, based on the worker caste. Three species are diagnosed, T. melanocephalum (Fabricius, 1793), T. simrothi Krausse, 1911 and T. wilsoni Sharaf & Aldawood, 2012. We present the first illustrated key to the Arabian Tapinoma, enhanced by automontage images to facilitate species recognition. New distributional data for species are presented, based on recentlycollected material from the region and literature records. Information on habitats' preference and biology of species are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe the queen caste of the Arabian endemic species Tapinoma wilsoni Sharaf & Aldawood, 2012 from the type locality (Dhi Ayn Archaeological Village) located in the south-western mountains of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We present the first illustrated key to the Arabian Tapinoma Foerster, 1850 based on the queen castes. Three species are recognized from the Arabian Peninsula, T. melanocephalum (Fabricius, 1793), T. simrothi Krausse, 1911 and T. wilsoni Sharaf & Aldawood, 2012. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tetramorium sericeiventre Emery, 1877 is a widespread ant of Africa, Arabia, and neighbouring areas. Across its broad range, T. sericeiventre shows much variation and many different forms have been described. In the present study, we report additional site records of T. sericeiventre on the Arabian Peninsula, and provide information on species variation, habitat, behaviour, and distribution. In addition, we evaluate the global distribution of this species and present a taxonomic diagnosis of T. sericeiventre for facilitating species recognition. Tetramorium sericeiventre thrives in a wide variety of open habitats, ranging from intact natural areas to sites heavily disturbed by human activity. Genetic analyses would be useful in elicidating the relationships among the many different forms of T. sericeiventre. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of the myrmicine ant genus Nesomyrmex Wheeler, 1910, N. micheleae Sharaf sp. nov., is described and illustrated from Oman based on the worker caste. The new species is a member of the N. angulatus species group and can be diagnosed by the golden yellow gaster that contrasts with the dark brown body; the irregular longitudinal rugulose sculpture on the cephalic surface; and the finely punctate mesonotum and propodeal dorsum. A synoptic species list, an updated key and a distribution map to the Arabian Nesomyrmex species are presented. Continued ant species discoveries are central to large-scale diversity patterns, conservation biology and macroecology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]