Temnothorax anodontoides (Dlussky & Zabelin, 1985)

Salata, Sebastian & Borowiec, Lech, 2022, A review of the Temnothorax anodontoides species-group (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) from Greece, ZooKeys 1091, pp. 139-159 : 139

Temnothorax anodontoides (Dlussky & Zabelin, 1985)

Figs 13 , 14 , 16

Leptothorax anodontoides Dlussky & Zabelin, 1985: 227, fig. 5 (w.)

Type material.

Paratype (ANTWEB1008959). C. Зaбeлин | Koпeт-Дaг | Kapa-cy, 6.V.81 || 81-171 || Paratypus Leptoth. | Temnothorax anodontoides | Dlussky et Zabelin.

Differential diagnosis.

Temnothorax anodontoides is the only member of the group with entirely absent propodeal spines. Additionally, it differs from T. arkasi , T. euboeae , and T. ikarosi in strongly reduced sculpture on frons, and from T. parnonensis in lack of smooth notch on central frons.

Description.

Dlussky and Zabelin (1985): 227.

Distribution.

Kopet Dag, Turkmenistan.

Comments.

Despite literature records noting T. anodontoides from Greece ( Schulz et al. 2007), we consider its presence in this country as doubtful. By courtesy of Petr Werner (Prague), we had an opportunity to study specimens collected from the site mentioned by Schulz et al. (2007) and compare them with a paratype of T. anodontoides and our Greek samples of members of the Temnothorax anodontoides species-group. As a result, we concluded that the samples mentioned in the above-mentioned publication should be assigned to T. arkasi . There is also a record of T. anodontoides from Sheikhmosa in Iran (AntWeb.org, CFH000026). The photographs of this specimen certainly show a species belonging to the Temnothorax anodontoides species-group. However, its body coloration and presence of very small but distinct propodeal spines could indicate that it represents yet another undescribed species. In conclusion, the distribution of verified T. anodontoides is most likely restricted to Kopet Dag mountains in Turkmenistan.

Figures

Figures 13, 14. Paratype worker of Temnothorax anodontoides Dlussky & Zabelin, 1985. 13 dorsal 14 lateral. Scale bar: 1 mm.

Figures 15, 16. Head sculpture of workers 15 Temnothorax parnonensis sp. nov., holotype 16 Temnothorax anodontoides Dlussky & Zabelin, 1985, paratype.