Temnothorax sordidulus (Muller, 1923)

González, Javier Arcos, 2021, Description of Temnothorax estel sp. nov. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), with a review of the Iberian species of the sordidulus species-complex, Zootaxa 5005 (2), pp. 145-160 : 155-156

Key for workers of the Iberian species of the sordidulus species-complex

For a reliable interpretation of the mean values used in the keys, at least 2– 3 workers should be measured.

1. Median region of frons mostly smooth and shiny, without reticulated ground sculpture; rest of frons with pronounced longitudinal striae and reticulated ground sculpture ( Fig. 6B ). Concolorous black to dark brown with infuscate antennal clubs and femora; some specimens slightly bicolored with darker head dorsum and gaster. Postpetiole wide (mean PPW/CS 0.403, usually> 0.400). Characteristic morphometric combination: head elongated (HL/HWb>1.250), metanotal groove poorly to well-developed (mean MGr/CS 1.21%), shortest propodeal spines of the Iberian complex (mean SPST/CS 0.244), subpetiolar process small (mean SPEPH/CS 0.041)............................................................... ibericus

- Whole frons with reticulated ground sculpture and poorly to well-developed longitudinal striae, without distinct smooth and shiny median region ( Fig. 6A, 6C–D ). Concolorous black to dark brown or bicolored forms with yellowish mesosoma. Postpetiole narrower (mean PPW/CS 0.344, always <0.400). Metanotal groove less developed (mean MGr/CS 0.449%), propodeal spines larger (mean SPST/CS 0.290), subpetiolar process longer (mean SPEPH/CS 0.073)........................... 2

2. Bicolored with head black to dark brown contrasting with yellowish mesosoma ( Fig. 6A ). Characteristic morphometric combination: medium-sized species (mean CS 0.400), head elongated (mean HL/HWb 1.275), metanotal groove inconspicuous to poorly developed (mean MGr/CS 0.297%), propodeal spines well developed (mean SPST/CS 0.340), subpetiolar process well developed (mean SPEPH/CS 0.065)............................................................. estel sp. nov.

- Concolorous black to dark brown ( Fig. 6C–D ); some specimens slightly bicolored with lighter brownish mesosoma. Larger species (mean CS 0.600), propodeal spines shorter (mean SPST/CS 0.269)........................................ 3

Figures

FIGURE 6. Typical coloration and morphological appearance of the species in the Iberian sordidulus species-complex. Sculpture of frons (left column) and lateral view of workers (right column); T. conatensis (A), T. estel sp. nov. (B), T. ibericus (C) and T. platycephalus (D).