Temnothorax laconicus, Csősz & Seifert & Müller & Trindl & Schulz & Heinze, 2014

Csősz, Sándor, Seifert, Bernhard, Müller, Benedikt, Trindl, Andreas, Schulz, Andreas & Heinze, Jürgen, 2014, Cryptic diversity in the Mediterranean Temnothorax lichtensteini species complex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), Organisms Diversity & Evolution (New York, N. Y.) 14 (1), pp. 75-88 : 82-85

Description of worker caste of Temnothorax laconicus sp.n.

Types

Holotype worker Taygethos Oros, Street to Profitis Ilias (GRE:S_342), N36.968, E22.404, 800 mH, 01.05.2011, leg: A. Schulz, (1☿ / HNHM Budapest);

Paratypes Taygethos Oros, Street to Profitis Ilias (GRE:S_342), N36.968, E22.404, 800 mH, 01.05.2011, leg: A. Schulz, (2☿☿ / CAS San Francisco [unique specimen identifier CASENT0906682], 3☿☿ / HNHM Budapest, 3☿☿ / SMNG); W Taygethos Oros, Pigadia Canyon (GRE:S_358) ,

Bayesian posterior probabilities of 0.95 and above are given at the nodes. Nestmate workers from all studied colonies were also investigated by morphometry

N36.984, E22.262, 700-800 mH, 01.05.2011, leg: A. Schulz, (2☿☿ / HNHM Budapest) ; Taygethos Oros, Street to Profitis Ilias (GRE:2011:0345), N36.968, E22.404, 800 mH, 01.05.2011, leg: A. Schulz, (4☿☿ / HNHM Budapest) ; W Taygethos Oros, Pigadia Canyon (GRE:2011:0356), N36.984, E22.262, 700-800 mH, 01.05.2011, leg: A. Schulz, (3☿☿ / HNHM Budapest) ; Taygethos Oros, Street to Profitis Ilias (GRE:2011:0336), N36.968, E22.404, 800 mH, 01.05.2011, leg: A. Schulz, (4☿☿ / HNHM Budapest) ;

For the full list of material investigated see Table 1.

Etymology This adjective [ laconicus (masculinum)] refers to Laconia, the region of the Peloponnese peninsula in which the type locality is situated.

Workers ( Figs. 5–7 )

General colouration of this species somewhat darker than in T. lichtensteini ; appendages, mesosoma, waist and basis of first gaster tergite dirty yellowish-brown to light-brown. Head dorsum and the posterior surfaces of gaster tergites darker, usually light-brown to brown. Small species ( CS 545 μm), but similar in size to its sister species. Head significantly longer than broad (CL/CWb 1.226) and with feebly convex sides. Vertexal corners rounded, posterior margin of vertex strait. Scape long (SL/ CS 0.788) with variable pubescence: adpressed (0–5°) to decumbent (10–15°) on the surface that is adjacent to head surface when the scape is directed fully caudad and subdecumbent (30°) to suberect (35–45°) on the surface that becomes external in the same scape position. Clypeus between sagittal level of frontal carinae with a number of longitudinal carinulae, interstices smooth and shiny. Eyes rather large ( EL / CS 0.246) and more approached to hind margin of vertex (PoOc/CL 0.396). Vertex with fine microreticulate sculpture that is superimposed by a number of longitudinal rugulae. Frontal carinae non-divergent. Frontal lobes widely distant ( FRS / CS 0.344). Propodeal spines very long, longer than in T. lichtensteini ( SPST / CS 0.409) and acute, in lateral view deviating from longitudinal axis of mesosoma by 20–25°. Propodeal spines in dorsal view much more divergent than in related species ( SPWI / CS 0.434), spine-tips curving inward ( SPTI / CS 0.410). Mesosoma as wide as in related species ( MW / CS 0.608). Metanotal depression well visible, moderately deep. Mesosoma with microreticulate sculpture that is

T. lichtensteini “ West Mediterranean cluster ” (blue rectangles) and T. lichtensteini type material (purple rectangle)

superimposed by a few irregular or longitudinal rugulae. Petiole and postpetiole covered by a fine reticulate microsculpture that can occasionally be superimposed by a few irregular rugulae in particular on dorsum of petiolar node. Petiole in profile with a high node and a rather straight or slightly concave anterior face; the top of the node forms a short truncate dorsum that slopes down to caudal cylinder without a distinct step.

For morphometric data of 17 nest sample means see Table 3.

Diagnosis

Pairwise analysis confirms nearly complete separation (99.4 %) between workers of T. lichtensteini (“ Western ” and “ Eastern clusters ” combined) and T. laconicus sp. n. Even drastic character reduction up to three characters (D3= − 0.0498 PoOc– 0.0541 FRS +0.0975 SPST +3.3108) yields 98.6 % classification success at individual level.

D3 scores forT: lichtensteini ð n ¼ 295 Þ: –0:6671; ½ − 4:0905; þ 1:9182 D3 scores forT: laconicussp:n: ð n ¼ 64 Þ þ 3:0748 ½þ 0:8556; þ 4:9404

The same function yields complete separation at nest sample mean level.

D3 scores forT: lichtensteini ð n ¼ 84 Þ: − 0:6762; ½ − 2:1468; þ 0:9519 D3 scores forT: laconicussp:n: ð n ¼ 17 Þ þ 3:1357 ½þ 1:9419; þ 4:2677

Application of a simple ratio ( SPST / CS) yields nonoverlapping ranges of T. lichtensteini and laconicus sp.n. at nest sample mean level (see Table 3); therefore, it can provide the most simple opportunity for separation.

Figures

Fig. 5 Head of Temnothorax laconicus sp.n. paratype worker (Profitis-Ilias- 20110501-342 / CAS San Francisco / CASENT0906682) in dorsal view

Fig. 6 Lateral view of Temnothorax laconicus sp.n. paratype worker (Profitis-Ilias-20110501-342 / CAS San Francisco / CASENT0906682)

Fig. 7 Dorsal view of Temnothorax laconicus sp.n. paratype worker (Profitis-Ilias-20110501-342 / CAS San Francisco / CASENT0906682)