Rare Ant Species, ‘The Sharjah Ant’, Discovered in Sharjah's Wadi Shees

Sharjah: Sharjah's Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) has announced a significant scientific breakthrough with the discovery of a rare ant species ‘Carebara Sharjahensis’ – ‘The Sharjah Ant’, in Wadi Shees. The discovery, made by Professor Dr. Mustafa Sharaf from EPAA's Al Dhaid Wildlife Centre, marks the first recorded instance of sighting of Carebara genus in the UAE and third in the Arabian Peninsula.

Despite extensive surveys, only a single ‘soldier’ ant specimen was found, suggesting the species inhabits specialised microhabitats and likely has a subterranean lifestyle, making it challenging to detect.

Carebara Sharjahensis bears partial resemblance to a species recorded in Zimbabwe, yet it displays distinct anatomical features. The ant has well-developed lateral horns on both sides of the head, accompanied by fine sensory hairs.

The ant also possesses a uniform yellow colouration and several precise structural traits in the head and thorax, according to the study by Dr Sharaf.

This discovery highlights EPAA’s ongoing efforts to monitor and conserve the unique biodiversity of the Hajar Mountains, one of the UAE’s richest ecological regions.