Temnothorax hanlu, Qian & Xu, 2024

Qian, Yu-Han & Xu, Zheng-Hui, 2024, Taxonomy of the ant genera Leptothorax Mayr, 1855 and Temnothorax Mayr, 1861 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of China with descriptions of twenty-eight new species and a key to the known Chinese species, European Journal of Taxonomy 936, pp. 1-97 : 31-33

Temnothorax hanlu sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:210A43E9-D3AD-44C3-A6E5-90B4DF981135

Fig. 21

Diagnosis

This new species is similar to T. eburneipes ( Wheeler, 1927) ( Fig.14 ), but differs in the new species head dorsum reticulate on the central longitudinal strip, apices of propodeal spines weakly curved down in lateral view; in T. eburneipes head dorsum smooth on the central longitudinal strip, apices of propodeal spines weakly curved up in lateral view. The new species is also similar to T. ruginosus Zhou et al., 2010 ( Fig. 58 ), but differs in the new species petiolar node relatively higher and trapezoidal in lateral view, anterior peduncle about as long as petiolar node, gaster black; T. ruginosus petiolar node relatively lower and trangular in lateral view, anterior peduncle shorter than petiolar node, gaster brownish yellow. This new species is also similar to T. reticulatus ( Chang & He, 2001) ( Fig. 60 ), but differs in the new species propodeal spines distinctly curved posteriorly in lateral view, petiolar node trapezoidal, head dorsum reticulate; in T. reticulatus propodeal spines relatively straight in lateral view, petiolar node triangular, head dorsum mainly longitudinally rugose.

Etymology

The specific epithet refers to ‘hanlu’, one of the 24 Solar Terms of China.

Material examined

Holotype worker CHINA • Yunnan Province, Yuanyang County, Nansha Town, Shicaichang ; 23.213064°N, 102.822789°E; 518 m a.s.l.; 17 Oct. 2019; Zheng-Hui Xu leg.; ground sample from dry evergreen broadleaf forest; SWFU A19-7128 .

Paratype worker CHINA • 1 worker; same collection data as for holotype; SWFU A19-7128 .

Description

Measurements of holotype worker: TL 2.4, HL 0.59, HW 0.47, CI 79, SL 0.52, SI 111, ED 0.12, PW 0.37, WL 0.74, PL 0.28, PH 0.2, DPW 0.16.

In full-face view head roughly rectangular, longer than broad, posterior margin weakly convex, posterior corner narrowly rounded, lateral margins weakly convex. Mandibles triangular, masticatory margin with 5 teeth. Clypeal dorsum weakly convex, with median carina, anterior margin weakly convex. Antennae 12-segmented, scapes just reaching to posterior head margin. Eyes located at midpoint of lateral head margin, occupying ¼ of lateral margin.

In lateral view promesonotum weakly convex and gently sloping down posteriorly, promesonotal suture and metanotal groove absent. Dorsum of propodeum slightly convex and sloping down posteriorly; propodeal spines long, weakly curved and pointed posteriorly, longer than propodeal dorsum; declivity weakly concave. Petiole with short anterior peduncle, about ½ length of petiolar node; petiolar node roughly trapezoidal, anterior margin and posterior margin almost straight, dorsal margin weakly convex; ventral margin weakly concave, anteroventral corner toothed. Postpetiole weakly lower than petiolar node, anterodorsal corner rounded, posterior margin straight, ventral margin short and almost straight.

In dorsal view pronotum broadest, lateral margin strongly convex, humeral corners rounded. Mesothorax moderately constricted and narrow, lateral margins weakly concave. Propodeum roughly rectangular, lateral margins almost straight, spines long and pointed posterolaterally. Petiole roughly trapezoidal and widening posteriorly, longer than broad, lateral margins slightly convex. Postpetiole roughly trapezoidal, about 1.4 times as broad as petiole, narrowing posteriorly, anterior margin moderately convex, anterolateral corners narrowly rounded, lateral margins nearly straight. Gaster elongate oval.

Mandibles longitudinally striate. Head dorsum coarsely reticulate, longitudinally rugose between frontal carinae. Pronotum, mesonotum and propodeal dorsum coarsely reticulate; mesopleura, metapleura, sides of propodeum, petiole and postpetiole finely reticulate. Gaster smooth and shiny. Body dorsum with sparse erect to suberect apically blunt short hairs and abundant decumbent pubescence, hairs on head relativeky abundant, pubescence on gaster sparse; scapes and tibiae with dense decumbent pubescence. Body color brownish yellow, mandibels, scapes and legs yellow; gaster black, anterior face brownish yellow.

Measurements of paratype worker: TL 2.3, HL 0.55, HW 0.45, CI 82, SL 0.50, SI 111, ED 0.11, PW 0.30, WL 0.60, PL 0.25, PH 0.20, DPW 0.10 (1 individual measured). As holotype worker.

Ecological notes

This new species inhabits dry evergreen broadleaf forest ( Fig. 70F ) at an elevation of 518 m, and forages on the ground.

Distribution

China: Yunnan.

Figures

Fig. 21. Temnothorax hanlu sp. nov., holotype worker (SWFU A19-7128). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view.

Fig. 14. Temnothorax eburneipes (Wheeler, 1927), syntype worker (MCZC). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. Illustrations cited from Radchenko (2004).

Fig. 58. Temnothorax ruginosus Zhou et al., 2010, holotype worker (GXNU0407357). A. Head in fullface view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view. Photos by Zhi-Lin Chen.

Fig. 60. Temnothorax reticulatus (Chang & He, 2001), holotype worker (NXU 98-610). A. Head in fullface view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view.

Fig. 70. Lower elevational vegetations. A. Semi-moist evergreen broadleaf forest (2000 m, Tengchong, Yunnan). B. Dry deciduous broadleaf forest (1840 m, Luquan, Yunnan). C. Keteleeria evelyniana Mast. forest (1820 m, Anning, Yunnan). D. Monsoon evergreen broadleaf forest (1500 m, Gengma, Yunnan). E. Quercus variabilis Blume forest (1350 m, Guangnan, Yunnan). F. Dry evergreen broadleaf forest (518 m, Yuanyang, Yunnan). Photos by Zheng-Hui Xu.