Khaberni - The Sharjah Environment and Protected Areas Authority, via the Dhaid Wildlife Center, announced the discovery of a new and rare type of ant in Wadi Shees.
The type has been officially documented as Carebara Sharjahensis, known as "Sharjah ant", adding to the emirate’s record of achievements in scientific research and biodiversity protection.
This discovery is the first of its kind for the Carebara genus in the United Arab Emirates, and the third on the Arabian Peninsula, highlighting the rich biodiversity of the Hajar Mountains' indigenous and rare species.
The discovery was made by Dr. Mustafa Sharaf from the Dhaid Wildlife Center, after conducting precise field surveys in Wadi Shees, where a single sample of the "soldier" type was found despite multiple site visits, indicating that this type lives in highly specific environments and tends to an underground lifestyle that makes it difficult to detect.
The authority confirmed that the discovery of the "Sharjah ant" represents a scientific achievement that enhances the emirate's efforts in supporting specialized research and documenting the environmental wealth of the Hajar Mountains, praising the role of the Dhaid Wildlife Center team and its ongoing efforts in conducting field research and environmental surveys. It also clarified that this rare discovery reflects the success of the environmental monitoring system in Sharjah and the efficiency of specialists in its centers, and embodies the emirate's vision in anchoring science and knowledge as a basis for conserving and sustaining biodiversity.
The scientific study showed that the "Sharjah ant" possesses unique anatomical features, most notably the presence of evolved lateral horns on both sides of the head interspersed with fine hairs, and a uniform yellow color, in addition to precise structural details in the head and thorax, making it an important addition to the biological storage of the region.
The researchers continue to conduct field surveys to discover more members of the colony, where preliminary indicators suggest that this type follows an underground lifestyle relying on living in the soil and decomposed organic materials.
