Temnothorax platycephalus ( Espadaler, 1997 )

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

Temnothorax platycephalus ( Espadaler, 1997)

( Fig. 2D and 6D )

Material. 50 workers from 2 nests, Spain, Sierra de Cazorla (Jaén), 26.IX.2020, 37°48’48.1”N 2°57’36.6”W, 1796m .

Diagnosis. Characterized within the Iberian sordidulus species-complex by its dark brown coloration, extremely elongated head (mean HL/HWb 1.318), whole surface of head and mesosoma reticulated, inconspicuous to shallowly-impressed metanotal groove (mean MGr/CS 0.485%), moderately long propodeal spines (mean SPST/CS 0.267) and long mesosoma (mean ML/CS 1.310). Larger species in the sordidulus species-complex (CS mean 0.644 mm).

Comments. It is readily separated from darker forms of T. tergestinus by its long head and less developed metanotal groove, from T. ibericus by the reticulated sculpture of head, poorly developed metanotal groove and narrow postpetiole, from T. sordidulus by its long head and poorly developed metanotal groove, and from T. estel sp. nov. by the different coloration pattern and shorter propodeal spines. Temnothorax platycephalus is most similar to T. conatensis , from which it is differentiated by its longer head and shorter propodeal spines, sharing the characteristic shape of petiole and robust appearance. Nests are monogynous and located in rock crevices at high altitudes. The only known records are from Jaén and Cuenca ( Espadaler 1997).

Figures

FIGURE 2. Head (left) and lateral view (right) of the workers of (A) T. conatensis (Mont-Rebei, Lleida), (B) T. estel sp. nov. (Sierra de Cazorla, Jaén), (C) T. ibericus (Sierra de Javalambre, Teruel), and (D) T. platycephalus (Sierra de Cazorla, Jaén).

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).