Temnothorax evagorae, Salata & Demetriou & Georgiadis & Borowiec, 2024

Salata, Sebastian, Demetriou, Jakovos, Georgiadis, Christos & Borowiec, Lech, 2024, The genus Temnothorax Mayr, 1861 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Cyprus, Zootaxa 5434 (1), pp. 1-69 : 41-48

Temnothorax evagorae n. sp. ( Figs 35–41 , 64 )

Etymology. Named after two men named Evagoras, important in the history of Cyprus. The first one is Evagoras I [Greek Ευαγόρας] the King of Salamis in Cyprus (411–374 BC). King Evagoras was an important historical figure for Cyprian civilization, a model ruler, whose aim was to promote the welfare of his state and of his subjects by the cultivation of Greek refinement and civilization. The second one is Evagoras Pallikarides [Greek Ευαγόρας Παλλικαρίδης, 1938–1957], a young poet and revolutionary who was executed (hanged) during the war of 1955– 1959 against English colonials.

Material examined. Holotype: worker (pin) “ CYPRUS, Paphos, 387 m | rd. F612 loc. 2 | 34.74385 / 32.6722 | 28 IV 2022, S. Salata ” ( MNHW) . Paratypes (1 gyne, 102 workers, pin): 5w, the same data as for holotype; 1w “ CYPRUS, Akrotiri UK SBA, 0 m | Limassol Salt Lake loc. 2 | 34.60987 / 32.94685 | 20 IV 2022, L. Borowiec ” ( MNHW); 2w “ CYPRUS, Limassol, 129 m | Apollo Temple a. Kourion | 34.67399 / 32.86412 | 20 IV 2022, L. Borowiec ” ( MNHW); 1w “ CYPRUS, Nicosia, Selladi | Tis Foinoklis , 807 m | 35.06773 / 32.61516 | 23 IV 2022, S. Salata ” ( MNHW); 1g, 12w “ CYPRUS, Paphos, Tzelefos | Bridge , 463 m | 34.89093 / 32.7462 | 19 IV 2022 | L. Borowiec ” ( MNHW); 12w “ CYPRUS, Paphos, Tzelefos | Bridge , 453 m | 34.88989 / 32.7462 | 19 IV 2022 | S. Salata ” ( MNHW); 3w “ CYPRUS, Paphos, 172 m | Evretou Dam | 34.96165 / 32.47749 | 21 IV 2022, L. Borowiec ” ( MNHW); 3w “ CYPRUS, Paphos, 424 m | Agios Neofytou Mon. | 34.84602 / 32.44784 | 29 IV 2022, L. Borowiec ” ( MNHW); 2w “ CYPRUS, Paphos, 397 m | rd. F612 loc. 2 | 34.74329 / 32.67197 | 28 IV 2022, L. Borowiec ” ( MNHW); 5w “ CYPRUS, Paphos, 361 m | road F612 ad Ag. Konstantinos | 34.73397 / 32.64312 | 28 IV 2022, S. Salata ” ( MNHW); 2w “ CYPRUS, Paphos, Avakas | Gorge , 38 m | 34.91832 / 32.3331 | 18 IV 2022, L. Borowiec ” ( MNHW); 2w “ CYPRUS, Limassol, 129 m | Apollo Temple a. Kourion | 34.67399 / 32.86412 | 20 IV 2022, L. Borowiec ” ( MNHW); 5w “ CYPRUS, Paphos, 433 m | Tzionoues Pic. Ar. | 35.07501 / 32.56583 | 28 IV 2022, S. Salata ” ( MNHW); 4w “ CYPRUS, Paphos, Diarizos | riv., Chasampoulion , 272 | m, 34.79656 / 32.70236 | 19 IV 2022, 23w (EtOH), S. Salata ” ( MNHW); 4w “ CYPRUS, Paphos distr., 264 m | Diarizos riv. south of Kidasi | 34°47.865 N / 32°42.305 E | 6 V 2012, L. Borowiec || Collection L. Borowiec | Formicidae | LBC–CY00161” ( MNHW); 13w “ CYPRUS, Paphos distr., 264 m | Diarizos riv. south of Kidasi | 34°47.865 N / 32°42.305 E | 6 V 2012, L. Borowiec || Collection L. Borowiec | Formicidae | LBC–CY00166” ( MNHW); 1w “ CYPRUS, Paphos distr., 59 m | Kato Paphos, Limnaria Riv. | 34.764438 / 32.440221 | 4–13 VII 2019, G. Hebda || Collection L. Borowiec | Formicidae | LBC–CY00215” ( MNHW); 1w “ CYPRUS, Paphos distr., 51 m | Avakas Pen., Aphrodite’s Baths | 35°03.403 N / 32°20.660 E | 4 V 2012, L. Borowiec || Collection L. Borowiec | Formicidae | LBC–CY00161” ( MNHW); 13w “ CYPRUS, Paphos distr., 51 m | Akamas Pen., Aphrodite’s Baths | 35°03.403 N / 32°20.660 E | 4 V 2012, L. Borowiec || Collection L. Borowiec | Formicidae | LBC–CY00163” ( MNHW); 2w “ CYPRUS, Paphos distr., 117 m | Akamas Pen., Avakas Gorge | 34°55.451 N / 32°20.740 E | 3 V 2012, L. Borowiec || Collection L. Borowiec | Formicidae | LBC–CY00164” ( MNHW); 1w “ CYPRUS, Paphos distr., 363 m | Pegeia Forest n. Pegeia | 34°53.853 N / 32°22.046 E | 4 V 2012, L. Borowiec || Collection L. Borowiec | Formicidae | LBC–CY00159” ( MNHW); 6w “ CYPRUS, Paphos distr., 398 m | Agiou Neofytou church n. Tala | 34°50.672 N / 32°26.686 E | 7 V 2012, L. Borowiec || Collection L. Borowiec | Formicidae | LBC–CY00159” ( MNHW) .

Other material examined. Limassol , ad Dora, 34.772575 / 32.750353, 432 m, 28 IV 2022, 34w (EtOH), leg. L. Borowiec ( MNHW) ; Nicosia , Kionia, 34.92110 / 33.19827, 1217 m, 23 IV 2022, 59w (EtOH), leg. J. Demetriou & C. Georgiadis ( MNHW) ; Nicosia , ad Lazanias, 34.941458 / 33.143697, 838 m, 24 IV 2022, 13w (EtOH), leg. L. Borowiec ( MNHW) ; Paphos , Peyia, Avakas gorge, 34.917575 / 32.332048, 33 m, 18 IV 2022, 46w (EtOH), leg. L. Borowiec, J. Demetriou, C. Georgiadis & S. Salata ( MNHW) ; Paphos , Peyia, Avakas gorge, 34.918320 / 32.333109, 38 m, 18 IV 2022, 11w (EtOH), leg. L. Borowiec, J. Demetriou C. Georgiadis & S. Salata ( MNHW) ; Paphos , Peyia, Avakas gorge, 34.924541 / 32.346221, 124 m, 18 IV 2022, 1w (EtOH), leg. L. Borowiec ( MNHW) ; Paphos , Pikni Forest ad Peyia loc. 1, 34.89749 / 32.36742, 364 m, 4 V 2012, 6w (EtOH), leg. L. Borowiec ( MNHW) ; Paphos , Pikni Forest ad Peyia loc. 2, 34.89579 / 32.37039, 374 m, 7 V 2012, 12w (EtOH), leg. L. Borowiec ( MNHW) ; Kidasi , Diarizos river valley, Rocks of Chasampoulion loc. 2, 34.795389 / 32.702027, 254 m, 19 IV 2022, 23w (EtOH), leg. L. Borowiec ( MNHW) ; Paphos , Agios Nicolaos, Tzelefos Bridge, 34.890931 / 32.747628, 463 m, 19 IV 2022, 49w (EtOH), leg. L. Borowiec ( MNHW) ; Paphos , Agios Nicolaos, Tzelefos Bridge, 34.8899 / 32.7475, 453 m, 19 IV 2022, J. Demetriou ( MNHW) ; Paphos , Agios Nicolaos, Tzelefos Bridge, 34.889892 / 32.747474, 453 m, 19 IV 2022, 14w (EtOH), leg. S. Salata ( MNHW) ; Paphos , Agios Nicolaos, Tzelefos Bridge-Elias Bridge rd., 34.898395 / 32.756894, 494 m, 19 IV 2022, 22w (EtOH), leg. L. Borowiec ( MNHW) ; Paphos , Agios Nicolaos , Tzelefos Bridge-Elias Bridge rd., Platis valley, 34.8979 / 32.7564, 496 m, 19 IV 2022, 10w (EtOH), leg. J. Demetriou ( MNHW) ; Paphos , Evretou, Evretou Dam, 34.961659 / 32.477493, 172 m, 21 IV 2022, 9w (EtOH), leg. L. Borowiec ( MNHW) ; Paphos , 2.9 km E of Lisos, 35.004479 / 32.542561, 540 m, 21 IV 2022, 7w (EtOH), leg. L. Borowiec ( MNHW) ; Paphos , Kritou Tera, Kremiotis Waterfall, 34.962545 / 32.433563, 330 m, 21 IV 2022, 1g, 30w (EtOH), leg. L. Borowiec ( MNHW) ; Paphos , Paphos Forest loc. 1, 35.166170 / 32.591576, 126 m, 23 IV 2022, 9w (EtOH), leg. L. Borowiec ( MNHW) ; Paphos , Neo Chorio, Baths of Aphrodite, 35.056245 / 32.345005, 47 m, 27 IV 2022, 24w (EtOH), leg. L. Borowiec ( MNHW) ; Paphos , road F612 ad Ag. Konstantinos, 34.733589 / 32.642930, 368 m, 28 IV 2022, 16w (EtOH), leg. L. Borowiec ( MNHW) ; Paphos , road F612 loc. 2, 34.743291 / 32.671972, 397 m, 28 IV 2022, 1w (EtOH), leg. L. Borowiec ( MNHW) ; Paphos , Tala, Agios Neofytos Monastery, 34.846027 / 32.447846, 424 m, 29 IV 2022, 4w (EtOH), leg. L. Borowiec ( MNHW) ; Paphos , ad Kalepia, 34.837284 / 32.503188, 414 m, 29 IV 2022, 15w (EtOH), leg. L. Borowiec ( MNHW) ; Paphos , 2.2 km S of Lemona, 34.842542 / 32.54799, 219 m, 29 IV 2022, 27w (EtOH), leg. L. Borowiec ( MNHW) ; Akrotiri UK SBA, near Akrotiri village, 34.6022 / 32.9486, 10 m, 12 X 2023, 1w, leg. J. Demetriou ( JDC) .

Comparative note. Temnothorax evagorae is a member of the T. graecus group, very variable in size, morphological details, and body color. It has uniformly yellow antennae or its antennal club might be only slightly darker yellow than the funicle, and this character is similar to T. cerastarum and T. oreades . While T. aeolius well differs in antennal club partly brown to black. Pale specimens of T. evagorae are very similar to T. cerastarum but this species differs in the less sculptured head with a great part of the frontal and occipital area smooth and shiny (in T. evagorae smooth area is restricted to a narrow frontal stripe); longer, needle-shaped propodeal spines with mean PSLI 0.297 (in T. evagorae 0.258), and longer antennal scapus with mean SI1 0.933 and SI2 0.785 (in T. evagorae 0.849 and 0.700 respectively). The pale form of T. oreades is very similar to T. evagorae in sculpture and shape of the petiole, and the best distinguishing characteristic is the length of mesosomal erect setae. In T. oreades , these setae are longer, with the longest seta/eye diameter ratio 0.571 –0.645 (mean 0.604), while in T. evagorae the ratio is 0.500 –0.582 (mean 0.530). Both species are separated ecologically, T. evagorae is a lowland and highland species recorded from the sea coast to an altitude of 838 m, while T. oreades was collected only in mountain habitats from 1100 to 1928 m with only one locality below 1100 m at an altitude 842 m but placed in very shadow and wet site. The last yellow Cypriot species: T. akrotiriensis which was collected in one site with T. evagorae differs in its more sculptured head with a distinctly microreticulate background between the large reticulation and rugae thus frontal part of the head looks slightly dull, while in T. evagorae this background microreticulate sculpture is diffused or absent thus frontal part of head looks shiny. Temnothorax evagorae has slightly shorter antennae with a mean SI1 0.849 (in T. akrotiriensis 0.917), but the range of variability overlaps in both species. Temnothorax akrotiriensis has a very narrow band at the end of the first gastral tergite that occupies at most ¼ posterior surface of the tergite, while in T. evagorae this band always occupies more than ⅓ or very often more than half length of the tergite.

Description. Worker (n = 10): HL: 0.603 –0.794 (0.702); HW: 0.473 –0.667 (0.581); SL: 0.428 –0.571 (0.491); EL: 0.130 –0.190 (0.160); EW: 0.097 –0.130 (0.114); PNW: 0.333 –0.468 (0.395); WL: 0.683 –0.976 (0.825); PEL: 0.254 –0.341 (0.297); PEH: 0.181 –0.240 (0.210); PPL: 0.174 –0.222 (0.198); PPW: 0.178 –0.271 (0.225); PSL: 0.125 –0.176 (0.150); CI: 1.171 –1.275 (1.212); EI1: 1.284 –1.479 (1.399); EI2: 0.211 –0.240 (0.227); SI1: 0.775 – 0.921 (0.849); SI2: 0.660 –0.756 (0.700); MI: 2.021 –2.221 (2.087); PI: 1.315 –1.651 (1.416); PPI: 1.011 –1.233 (1.130); PSLI: 0.220 –0.269 (0.258).

Color. Almost whole body yellow, only first gastral tergite in posterior ⅔ of space with yellowish-brown to brown band. Antennae yellow, legs predominantly yellow but femora usually more or less infuscate in the middle ( Figs 35, 36 ). In dark forms frons with ochraceous yellow spot with diffused borders, mesosoma, petiole and postpetiole orange-yellow, dark band on first gastral tergite almost black, femora with dark brown swollen part and antennal club ochraceous yellow, slightly darker than basal segments of funicle ( Fig. 37 ). Head. Slightly elongate, approximately 1.2 × as long as wide, sides softly converging anterad and posterad, occipital corners regularly rounded, occipital margin of head straight ( Fig. 38 ). Anterior margin of clypeus softly convex, truncate centrally or with very shallow emargination, with 4–6 short setae, medial notch absent. Eyes moderate, short oval, 1.3–1.5 × as long as wide, 0.23 × as long as head length. Antennal scape moderately long, in lateral view slightly curved, approximately 0.9 × as long as the width of the head, in apex gradually widened with very shallow preapical constriction, its base with obtuse dorsal and ventral angle. Funiculus distinctly longer than scape, first segment 2.2 × as long as wide at apex, 2.9 × longer than second segment, segments 2–6 transverse, segment 7 only slightly wider than long, club large, 1.13 × as long as segments 1–8 combined, last segment of club elongate, 1.2 × as long as segments 8 and 9 combined ( Fig. 38 ). Surface of scape with fine microreticulation, shiny, covered with thin, moderate dense, basally appressed, apically decumbent hairs. Mandibles with thick sparse, longitudinal striae, shiny, covered with very sparse, short appressed and long subdecumbent to suberect hairs. Clypeus with median keel and two keels on each side, interspaces smooth and shiny. Frons narrow, approximately 0.35 × as wide as head width. Frontal carinae short, slightly extending beyond frontal lobes. Antennal fossa deep, margined with sharp circular striae and smooth interspaces. Frontal lobes narrow, placed only distinctly upwards ( Fig. 38 ). Frons anteriorly with deep, smooth and shiny frontal triangle. Gena, malar area and frons laterally with sharp longitudinal or slightly irregular rugae but usually not forming a reticulation, postocular area, vertex and occipital corners with fine striation disappearing posterad, interspaces microreticulate but appear shiny, central part of frons usually with narrow smooth and shiny stripe, postocular area and occipital corners sometimes only microreticulate, without striae, occasionally whole vertex and occipitum only with diffused microreticulation. In darker specimens sculpture of head usually more evident than in the palest form. Frons centrally without setose punctation. Surface of head without appressed pubescence, frons, vertex and occipital area with erect, pale, short and thin setae, the longest on occipitum 0.33 × as long as eye width ( Fig. 38 ). Mesosoma. Elongate, approximately 2.1 × as long as wide, slightly arched in anterior third, flat in posterior ⅔ length, without metanotal groove or impression. Pronotum convex on sides. Anterior slope of pronotum microgranulate, dorsum with fine longitudinal rugae and microreticulate interspaces, shiny. Sides of pronotum with sharp longitudinal rugae and distinctly microreticulate interspaces. Dorsum of mesonotum anteriorly with sharp longitudinal rugae and distinctly microreticulate interspaces, sides of mesonotum predominantly microgranulate but in ventral half with more or less marked, in darker forms also upper half with rugae. Dorsum of propodeum anteriorly microreticulate with longitudinal rugae, area between propodeal spines only microreticulate, posterior face microreticulate with transverse rugae, sides of propodeum predominantly with sharp longitudinal rugae, especially on metapleural lobe, with distinct microreticulation, surface appears slightly irregular but shiny. Propodeal spines moderately long, mean PSL/HW 0.3, running obliquely upwards, in form of elongate spines with slightly widened base, straight, acute or obtuse apically ( Figs 35–37 ). Entire mesosoma bearing erect, white, moderately long setae, the longest on pronotum 0.500 –0.582 (mean 0.530) × as long as eye diameter ( Figs 35–37 ). Petiole. Elongate, mean PEL/PEH 1.4, anterior face straight or very shallowly concave, ventral margin anteriorly with sharp spine, node in lateral view obtusely angulate with sharp lateral carinae, with few short rugae on top, laterally distinctly microreticulate with few longitudinal rugae, surface appears slightly dull. Postpetiole. In dorsal view 1.1–1.2 × as long as wide, approximately 1.4 × as wide as petiole, surface strongly microreticulate with fine longitudinal striation, appears irregular and slightly dull. Dorsal surface of petiole and postpetiole with long erect setae, as long as the longest setae on pronotum ( Figs 35–37 ). Gaster. Smooth and shiny, bearing erect, thin, pale setae, ⅔ as long as setae on mesosoma ( Figs 35–37 ). Legs. Moderately elongate, femora strongly swollen in the middle, tibiae widened from base to ¾ length, surface of legs covered with extremely sparse, appressed hairs, appears smooth and shiny.

Gyne (n = 1): HL: 0.746; HW: 0.682; SL: 0.509; EL: 0.214; EW: 0.160; PNW: 0.714; WL: 1.288; PEL: 0.349; PEH: 0.270; PPL: 0.238; PPW: 0.286; PSL: 0.177; CI: 1.094; EI1: 1.338; EI2: 0.287; SI1: 0.746; SI2: 0.682; MI: 1.804; PI: 1.293; PPI: 1.202; PSLI: 0.260.

Color. Head pale brown, mesosoma predominantly pale brown, only scutellum dark brown centrally and yellowish-brown laterally, petiole pale brown with yellowish ventral margin, postpetiole pale brown, gaster dark brown with slightly paler area close to postpetiole. Antennae predominantly yellow only club partly yellowish-brown, coxa and trochanters yellow, femora predominantly yellowish-brown to dark brown with yellow base and knee, tibiae and tarsi yellow ( Figs 39, 40 ). Head. Broad, approximately 1.1 × as long as wide, widest behind eyes, gena parallel, behind eyes softly convergent, occipital corners rounded, occipital margin straight ( Fig. 41 ). Anterior margin of clypeus softly convex, without central angulation with minute median notch, with 2 long and 4 short setae. Eyes large, oval, 1.3 × as long as wide, 0.29 × as long as head length. Antennal scape moderately long, in lateral view slightly curved, approximately 0.75 × as long as width of the head, in apex only slightly widened with very shallow preapical constriction, its basal corners obtusely angulate. Funiculus distinctly longer than scape, first segment 2.1 × as long as wide at apex, 3.8 × longer than second segment, segments 2–7 transverse, club large, almost as long as segments 1–8 combined, last segment of club elongate, as long as segments 8 and 9 combined ( Fig. 41 ). Surface of scape with fine microreticulation, shiny, covered with thin, moderate dense, basally appressed apically subdecumbent hairs. Mandibles with thick sparse, longitudinal striae, shiny, covered with short to moderate subdecumbent to decumbent hairs. Clypeus without median keel and two keels on each side, interspaces smooth, shiny. Frons narrow, approximately 0.36 × as wide as head width. Frontal carinae short, extending to ⅓ length of eyes. Antennal fossa deep, margined with sharp circular striae with smooth interspaces. Frontal lobes very narrow, placed only slightly upwards, frontal triangle deep impressed, smooth and shiny ( Fig. 41 ). Whole surface of head with sharp longitudinal rugae extending to occipital margin, only area behind ocelli with longitudinal striae, interspaces smooth or with diffused microreticulation, shiny, frons centrally without punctation. Surface of head without appressed pubescence, only sides with short decumbent hairs, frons, vertex and occipital area with erect, pale, short and thick setae, the longest on occipitum 0.4 × as long as eye width. Mesosoma. Elongate, approximately 1.8 × as long as wide. Pronotum not visible from above, scutum and scutellum flat dorsally. Anterior slope of pronotum with granulate sculpture, sides with longitudinal rugae and diffusely microreticulate interspaces, appears shiny. Dorsum of scutum with longitudinal striation, slightly diffused on anterior slope and lateral lobes, interspaces anteriorly smooth posteriorly diffusely microreticulate, shiny. Dorsum of scutellum predominantly smooth and shiny, only sides and close to basal margin with diffused striation ( Fig. 39 ). Anepisternum completely covered with longitudinal striation and diffusely microreticulate interspaces, shiny, katepisternum with longitudinal striation and in upper half narrow and in ventral half broad, smooth and shiny interspaces. Dorsum of propodeum microreticulate with few short longitudinal rugae, between spines and posteriorly only with microreticulation, slightly dull. Propodeal spines short, PSL/HW 0.26, in form of triangulate spines with broadly widened base, angulate apically ( Fig. 40 ). Entire mesosoma bearing erect, yellow, short setae, the longest 0.37 × as long as eye diameter. Petiole. Moderately elongate, PEL/PEH 1.29, anterior face straight, ventral margin anteriorly with large, sharp spine, node in lateral view angulate, anterior slope diffusely microreticulate, sides microreticulate with longitudinal rugae, ventral part with microreticulation but surface appears shiny. Postpetiole. Transverse, approximately 1.2 × as wide as petiole, surface microreticulate with longitudinal striation, appears shiny. Dorsal surface of petiole and postpetiole with erect setae, slightly longer than setae on pronotum ( Fig. 40 ). Gaster. Smooth and shiny, bearing erect, thin, pale setae, as long as or slightly longer than setae on mesosoma ( Fig. 39 ). Legs. Moderately elongate, femora swollen in the middle, tibiae widened from base to ¾ length, surface of legs covered with extremely sparse, appressed hairs, appears smooth and shiny.

Biological note. The commonest Cypriot species of the genus Temnothorax , noted from numerous lowland and highland sites from seashore to an altitude of 838 m. Most specimens were shaken off to the entomological umbrella from bushes and small trees growing by the streams, roadsides, on the outskirts of pine forests, and also from deciduous trees inside shadow sub-mountain forests and young pine trees in tree nurseries. It is the most ubiquitous species from Cypriot members of the genus Temnothorax , collected both in warm and sunny places and in shady mountain valleys, along streams, and on the edges of dam lakes. Only one nest sample was collected under moss on a rocky wall inside a mountain valley close to a stream, but probably as in the Greek representatives of the Temnothorax graecus group, they can nest inside the dry stems of shrubs and large herbs, especially in dry sites.

Figures

FIGURE 38. Holotype worker head of Temnothorax evagorae n. sp. (scale bar = 0.5 mm).

FIGURE 41. Gyne head of Temnothorax evagorae n. sp. (scale bar = 0.5 mm).

FIGURE 64. Distribution in Cyprus Temnothorax cerastarum n. sp. (upper map) and T. evagorae n. sp. + T. oreades n. sp. (bottom map)

FIGURES 35–37. Worker of Temnothorax evagorae n. sp. 35 holotype dorsal 36 holotype lateral 37 the darkest form from rd. F612 ad Ag. Konstantinos (scale bar = 1 mm).

FIGURES 39, 40. Gyne of Temnothorax evagorae n. sp. 39 dorsal 40 lateral (scale bar = 1 mm).