Temnothorax xiazhi, 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 : 65-67

Temnothorax xiazhi sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:CB401976-C0FE-459A-89A7-7153385314D6

Fig. 41

Diagnosis

Accoring to the key, this new species is similar to T. argentipes ( Wheeler, 1928) ( Fig. 42 ), but differs in the new species head dorsum densely longitudinally rugose on the central area, propodeal spines roughly triangular and slightly longer than its base, and body color brownish black, gaster black; in T. argentipes head dorsum coarsely reticulate on the central area, propodeal spines slender and much longer than its base, and body color reddish brown, head and gaster black. The new species is also similar to T. dong sp. nov. ( Fig. 15 ), but differs in the new species dorsum of mesonotum and propodeum straight in lateral view, propodeal spines shorter than half length of declivity, head dorsum longitudinally rugose, interface without punctures; in T. dong dorsum of mesonotum and propodeum weakly convex in lateral view, propodeal spines longer than half length of declivity, head dorsum longitudinally rugose, interface with punctures. This new species is also similar to T. lixia sp. nov. ( Fig. 28 ), but differs in the new species dorsum of mesonotum and propodeum straight in lateral view, petiolar node relatively thin and without dorsal face, mesosomal sides finely reticulate; in T. lixia dorsum of mesonotum and propodeum weakly convex in lateral view, petiolar node relatively thick and with sloping dorsal face, mesosomal sides coarsely reticulate.

Etymology

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

Material examined

Holotype worker CHINA • Yunnan Province, Yulong County, Baisha Town, Yulongxueshan Village ; 27.134850° N, 100.259831° E; 3000 m a.s.l.; 20 Oct. 2004; Zheng-Hui Xu leg.; ground sample from Pinus yunnanensis forest; SWFU A04-1198 .

Paratype workers CHINA • 5 workers; same collection data as for holotype; SWFU A04-1198 .

Description

Measurements of holotype worker: TL 2.9, HL 0.69, HW 0.58, CI 84, SL 0.60, SI 104, ED 0.13, PW 0.40, WL 0.83, PL 0.33, PH 0.22, DPW 0.15.

In full-face view head roughly rectangular, longer than broad, posterior margin almost straight, posterior corners narrowly rounded, lateral margins weakly convex. Mandibles triangular, masticatory margin with 5 teeth. Clypeal dorsum weakly convex, with median carina, anterior margin moderately convex. Frontal lobes broad, concealing antennal sockets. Frontal carinae short, reaching to the level of anterior eye margins. Antennae 12-segmented, scapes just reaching to posterior head margin, club 3-segmented. Eyes located at midpoint of lateral head margin, occupying ¼ of lateral margin.

In lateral view pronotum slightly convex, anterodorsal corner narrowly rounded, promesonotal suture absent. Mesonotum weakly convex and gently sloping down posteriorly, metanotal groove very shallowly impressed. Propodeal dorsum straight and gently sloping down posteriorly; propodeal spines short and acute, roughly triangular, about as long as their basal width and about ½ length of declivity; declivity weakly concave; propodeal lobes short and rounded apically. Petiole with long anterior peduncle, about as long as petiolar node; petiolar node roughly triangular, anterior margin almost straight, posterior margin weakly convex, top corner bluntly angled; ventral margin straight, anteroventral corner largely acutely toothed. Postpetiole about as high as petiolar node, anterodorsal margin rounded, posterior margin straight, ventral margin moderately concave.

In dorsal view pronotum broadest, humeral corners broadly rounded, lateral margin moderately convex, promesonotal suture absent. Mesothorax weakly constricted, lateral margins weakly concave. Metanotal groove very shallowly impreassed. Propodeum roughly trapezoidal and weakly widening posteriorly, lateral margins almost straight; spines short and triangular, pointed posterolaterally. Petiole roughly trapezoidal and widening posteriorly, longer than broad, lateral margins weakly convex. Postpetiole roughly trapezoidal and narrowing posteriorly, about 1.5 times as broad as petiole, anterolateral corners narrowly rounded, lateral margins weakly convex. Gaster elongate oval.

Mandibles longitudinally striate. Head dorsum densely longitudinally rugose, and gradually reticulate posteriorly and laterally, interface between reticulation densely punctate. Clypeus smooth in the center, longitudinally rugose posteriorly and laterally. Mesosoma and petiolar node finely reticulate; mesopleura and metapleura reticulate; anterior face of pronotum, sides of propodeum, petiole except the node and postpetiole densely punctate with interface micro-reticulate. Gaster smooth and shiny. Body dorsum with sparse erect to suberect apically blunt short hairs and sparse decumbent pubescence, hairs on head and gaster relatively abundant. Scapes and tibiae with dense decumbent pubescence. Body color blackish brown, head dorsum and gaster black; mandibles, antennae and legs blackish brown to brownish yellow.

Measurements of paratype workers: TL 2.7–2.8, HL 0.63–0.65, HW 0.45–0.5, CI 71–77, SL 0.50–0.51, SI 100–111, ED 0.10–0.11, PW 0.34–0.35, WL 0.75–0.83, PL 0.24–0.25, PH 0.15–0.20, DPW 0.10– 0.15 (5 individuals measured). As holotype worker, in some individuals body size slightly different.

Ecological notes

This new species inhabits Pinus yunnanensis forest ( Fig. 69I ) at an elevation of 3000 m, and forages on the ground.

Distribution

China: Yunnan.

Figures

Fig. 41. Temnothorax xiazhi sp. nov., holotype worker (SWFU A04-1198). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view.

Fig. 42. Temnothorax argentipes (Wheeler, 1928), worker (MCZC). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. Illustrations cited from Radchenko (2004).

Fig. 15. Temnothorax dong sp. nov., holotype worker (SWFU A99-428). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view.

Fig. 28. Temnothorax lixia sp. nov., holotype worker (SWFU A05-869). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view.

Fig. 69. Middle elevational vegetations. A. Pinus densata Masters forest (2750 m, Bomi, Tibet). B. Pinus armandi Franch. forest (2557 m, Qiaojia, Yunnan). C. Subalpine moist evergreen broadleaf forest (2500 m, Lushui, Yunnan). D. Conifer-broadleaf mixed forest (2500 m, Huaping, Yunnan). E. Moss evergreen broadleaf forest (2450 m. Cangyuan, Yunnan). F. Warm conifer forest (2230 m, Huili, Sichuan). G. Dry-warm valley shrubland (2230 m, Muli, Sichuan). H. Semi-evergreen broadleaf forest (2050 m, Danba, Sichuan). I. Pinus yunnanensis forest (2030 m, Huaping, Yunnan). Photos by Zheng-Hui Xu.