Marrakech – Scientists have discovered a new ant species in Morocco and named it Temnothorax lailae after Laila Ajouaou, the wife of Moroccan researcher Ahmed Taheri. The discovery was published in November in the journal Insect Systematics and Diversity.
Ahmed Taheri, an entomologist specializing in myrmecology, with research focusing on ant ecology, biodiversity, and biological invasions, from the Faculty of Sciences at Abdelmalek Essaâdi University in Tetouan, collaborated with international researchers to identify the new species.
The team used advanced morphological and molecular techniques to distinguish T. lailae from similar ant species.
The newly discovered species was found in Chtouka Aït Baha, located in Morocco’s Souss-Massa region. Researchers collected specimens from Tanalt, specifically at Adrar Agdim, located 4 kilometers east of Tanalt at an elevation of 1,498 meters. The discovery occurred during fieldwork conducted in November 2014.
T. lailae belongs to the Temnothorax rottenbergii species group, which includes 20 species distributed across the Mediterranean region. These ants are characterized by dark coloration and strongly sculptured bodies. Unlike most other Temnothorax species in the region, they nest directly in soil rather than in wood or rock crevices.
The research team examined over 500 individual ants from 170 collecting sites across the Mediterranean basin. They used 24 different morphometric measurements to distinguish between species. Advanced statistical analyses helped identify distinct clusters of morphologically similar specimens.
“T. lailae sp. nov. is concolorous, usually black or dark brown,” the researchers noted in their paper. The species differs from its closest relative, T. anacanthus, in several key features. T. anacanthus displays a two-colored pattern with a dark head and lighter reddish-brown body sections.
The surface texture of the first gastral segment provides another distinguishing characteristic. T. lailae shows “very strong, substrigulate, longitudinally striated sculpture,” while T. anacanthus has an imbricate surface pattern.
Molecular analysis using ultraconserved genetic elements confirmed that T. lailae represents a distinct evolutionary lineage. The phylogenetic study revealed clear separation between the new species and its relatives.
Morocco hosts remarkable diversity within the rottenbergii group. Seven species occur in the kingdom: T. anacanthus, T. bucheti, T. formosus, T. lailae, T. mauritanicus, T. neminan, and T. turritellus. This represents the highest species concentration in North Africa.
The rottenbergii group likely evolved between 10 and 20 million years ago during the mid-Miocene period. The Mediterranean region’s complex geological history created numerous isolated populations that diverged into separate species.
Conservation implications remain important as many rottenbergii group species have restricted distributions. T. lailae is currently known only from its type locality in the Anti-Atlas mountains. The species inhabits high-elevation environments that may face climate change pressures.
The discovery adds to Morocco’s growing list of endemic ant species. The country’s position at the intersection of African and European biogeographic zones creates conditions favorable for unique evolutionary developments.
Research continues on Mediterranean ant diversity as scientists expect to find additional undescribed species. Advanced molecular techniques increasingly reveal cryptic species that appear identical but represent separate evolutionary lineages.
The international collaboration included researchers from Hungary, Italy, Spain, France, and the United States. Their comprehensive approach combined traditional morphology with cutting-edge genomic analysis.
Taheri stressed the importance of continued biodiversity research in Morocco’s mountain regions. Many areas remain poorly studied despite likely harboring unique species adapted to local conditions.
The naming of T. lailae reflects the scientific tradition of honoring individuals who support research efforts while maintaining a distinctly Moroccan identity for the species. Laila Ajouaou’s designation represents recognition of family contributions to scientific endeavors and ensures the ant carries a name rooted in Moroccan heritage.
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