Lasius uzbeki Seifert 1992

Seifert, Bernhard, 2020, A taxonomic revision of the Palaearctic members of the subgenus Lasius s. str. (Hymenoptera, Formicidae), Soil Organisms 92 (1), pp. 15-86 : 62-63

4.4.24 Lasius uzbeki Seifert 1992

Lasius uzbeki Seifert 1992 [type investigation]

Type material: Holotype and 7 paratype workers labelled ”USSR-Uzbekistan, Chimgan near Tashkent, 6.5. 1978, 2400 m, J. Visa lgt.“; depository SMN Görlitz.

All material examined. A total of 16 nest samples with 56 workers were subject to NUMOBAT investigation. These originated from Kazakhstan (5 samples) Kyrgyzstan (10) and Uzbekistan (1). For details see supplementary information S1.

Geographic range. Known so far only from West Tianshan between 70.0°E and 73.4°E, 39.7°N and 42.4°N at elevations of 1400 – 2400 m.

Diagnosis (Tab. 5, Figs. 47 –48; key; images in www. AntWeb.org with specimen identifiers FOCOL0747):

Absolute size rather small (CS 861 µm). Scape long but terminal segment of maxillary palp rather short (SL/CS 900 0.994, MP6/CS 900 0.172). Postocular distance very small (PoOc/CL 900 0.219). Eye very large (EYE/CS 900 0.264), even larger than in species related to L. emarginatus . Number of mandibular dents medium (MaDe 900 8.14). Pubescence on clypeus dilute (sqPDCL 900 5.01) but on postocular head sides and frons much denser than in L. schulzi . Setae on dorsum of scape and extensor profile of hind tibia thin and often difficult to distinguish from semierect pubescence which causes high variance in setae counts (see Tab. 5). Pronotal setae long (PnHL/CS 900 0.163). Setae on underside of head very long and numerous (GuHL/CS 900 0.132, nGu 900 6.7). Coloration: polymorphous; the light morph, as represented by the type sample, has a light yellowish mesosoma with a brownish tinge, a pale yellowish-brown head, and a slightly darker gaster; the dark morph, as represented by the majority of samples, typically shows a dirty brown mesosoma with a yellowish component, a dark brown head, and blackish brown gaster.

Biology. Nests were found under stones in open grassy habitats with bushes or alluvial habitats with trees or bushes.

Comments. The character combination of very large eye, rather short terminal segment of maxillary palp and long gular setae is not found in other Palaearctic species of the genus Lasius .

Figures

Figs. 47 and 48: Lasius uzbeki; holotype