Temnothorax paiute, Snelling, Roy R., Borowiec, Marek L. & Prebus, Matthew M., 2014

Snelling, Roy R., Borowiec, Marek L. & Prebus, Matthew M., 2014, Studies on California ants: a review of the genus Temnothorax (Hymenoptera, Formicidae), ZooKeys 372, pp. 27-89 : 45-46

Temnothorax paiute sp. n. Figures 13, 20, 24

Temnothorax sp. CA-08; Ward 2005: 68.

Diagnosis of worker.

Mesonotum distinctly sloping down to metanotal area and base of propodeum slightly convex; first gastral tergum slightly shiny and very finely sculptured throughout; side of head behind eyes with no more than 1 or 2 short fine setae.

Description.

Worker measurements (mm) (4 measured). EL 0.204-0.224 (0.216); HFL 0.680-0.738 (0.720); HFW 0.145-0.170 (0.155); HL 0.780-0.828 (0.806); HW 0.642-0.695 (0.671); IOD 0.531-0.583 (0.566); OMD 0.187-0.218 (0.201); PPW 0.224-0.270 (0.248); PSL 0.125-0.133 (0.128); PTW 0.172-0.212 (0.193); PW 0.440-0.491 (0.472); SL 0.706-0.741 (0.724); WL 0.964-1.028 (0.999). Indices: CI 82.3-83.9 (83.2); FI 106-111 (107); OI 26.2-27.2 (26.8); PI 125-131 (128); PSI 15.1-16.9 (15.9); SI 87.0-92.5 (89.9).

Head longer than broad in frontal view; posterior margin transverse and lateral margins essentially parallel. Antenna 12-segmented; scape long and exceeding posterior margin by more than its apical width; antennal club distinct, 3-segmented. Eye large and moderately bulging, IOD about 2.54-2.71 × EL; with a few widely scattered very short setae arising between ommatidia; EL 0.98-1.17 × OMD. Mandibles coarsely longitudinally rugose. Head slightly shiny and conspicuously finely reticulate and with widely scattered obscure minute punctures; interrugal surfaces of clypeus smooth and shiny; malar area with several short obscure rugulae. Sparse short yellowish erect to suberect setae on front of head; more abundant suberect to erect setae on hypostomal area.

Mesosoma slender, WL 2.08-2.19 times longer than PW; in profile, posterior portion of mesonotum sloping down to metanotal impression, behind which dorsal face of propodeum is slightly raised and weakly convex. Propodeal spines present and well–developed: PSI 15.1-16.9; stout and shorter than infraspinal distance in largest specimens (California), more slender and longer than infraspinal distance in smaller (Nevada) specimens. Entire pronotum and mesosomal dorsum slightly shiny and finely reticulate, without rugae; mesepisternum and side of propodeum with conspicuous more or less longitudinal rugae, metapleural suture with about 6 coarse cross–rugae. Metafemur slender, 4.29-4.93 times longer than wide in dorsal view. Dorsum, including propodeum, with sparse yellowish slender erect setae.

Petiole node high in profile, summit broadly rounded; acute subpetiolar tooth present; summit of postpetiole rounded in profile; in dorsal view quadrate to slightly trapezoidal. Both nodes slightly shiny and finely reticulate, without rugae and with sparse yellowish slender erect setae.

Gaster, in dorsal view, 3.12-3.54 times broader than width of postpetiole; slightly shiny and first tergum finely reticulate throughout; sparse yellowish slender erect setae evenly distributed on first tergum; first tergum also with widely scattered finer subappressed setae.

Color of body medium brown with gaster darker.

Gyne and male unknown.

Material examined.

Holotype worker, U.S.A.: CALIFORNIA: Inyo Co.: Lone Pine, 1310 m, 36.6°, -118.1°, 7.iv.1959 (W. S. Creighton) (CASENT0005932) [LACM].

Paratypes. 1 worker, same data as holotype (CASENT0005932) [LACM].

Non-paratypic material examined. U.S.A.: NEVADA: Nye Co.: Nevada Test Site, 36.7°, -116°, 12.ii.1962 (A. C. Cole) 1 worker (LACMENT299343) [LACM]; Nye Co.: Nevada Test Site, 36.7°, -116°, 14.xi.1961 (A. C. Cole) on Ephedra nevadensis , 1 worker (LACMENT299344) [LACM].

Etymology.

This species is named for the peoples of the Paiute Nation and is to be treated as a noun in apposition.

Remarks.

The two specimens from Nevada have proportionately slightly longer scapes than those of the Lone Pine specimens (SI 90.5-92.5 vs. 87.0-89.5), but otherwise share the unique features cited in the diagnosis. Although Temnothorax paiute unquestionably belongs among the species placed in the former subgenus Myrafant , characterized within our fauna by the presence of a median longitudinal clypeal carina and the absence of the metanotal suture across the dorsum, it does not appear to belong to any of the previously recognized species groups. Also see above under Temnothorax myrmiciformis .

Cole’s label data indicate that a specimen has been collected on Ephedra nevadensis but otherwise nothing is known about this species’ biology.