Lasius schulzi 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

4.4.23 Lasius schulzi Seifert 1992

Lasius schulzi Seifert 1992 [type investigation]

Type material: Holotype worker labelled ” Turkey: Alanya, 36.32 N 32.04 E 22.4.1988, leg. Schulz“, ”Machia in Bergland No 2448“; 7 paratype workers labelled ”TUR: Gündogmus, 1800 m, 23.4. 1988, leg. A. Schulz, No 2475, 34 km N Alanya“; 3 paratype workers labelled ”TR- Alanya, Gehweg in Stadt, leg. Schulz, 12.05.90“; depository SMN Görlitz.

All material examined. A total of 15 nest samples with 32 workers, all from Turkey, were subject to NUMOBAT investigation. For details see supplementary information SI1.

Geographic range. Known so far only from 15 sites in Anatolia within an area of 120 000 km² delimited by 36.47°N, 40.40°N, 31.79°E and 34.78°E. Altitudinal distribution is from sea level to 1600 m, with 90% of the sites above 600 m.

Diagnosis (Tab. 5, Figs. 45 –46; key; images in www. antWeb.org with specimen identifiers CASENT0903219):

Absolute size rather small (CS 854 µm). Scape and maxillary palp length indices large (SL/CS 900 1.010, MP6/ CS 900 0.202). Postocular distance rather small (PoOc/ CL 900 0.224). Number of mandibular dents medium (MaDe 900 8.26). Pubescence on clypeus and sides of head extremely dilute (sqPDCL 900 6.43) – as result and in combination with weak microsculpture these body surfaces very shining. Pronotal setae long (PnHL/CS 900 0.157). Setae on hind margin of head long and numerous, contrasting with setae reduction on scape and tibiae (Occ 900 15.0, nSc 900 0.2, nHT 900 1.5). Gular setae rather long and numerous (GuHL/CS 900 0.121, nGu 900 4.5). Coloration: Mesosoma, petiole, gaster and appendages bright yellow; head and gaster sometimes a littler darker with a brownish tinge.

Biology. Main habitats are humid, shaded places in forests or shrub but it also occurs in rural and urban habitats. The large eyes suggest substantial epigaeous foraging which is unusual for a Lasius with yellow pigmentation.

Comments. Lasius schulzi is an unmistakable combination of yellow color, long scape and maxillary palp, extremely dilute pubescence on clypeus and sides of head, long and numerous setae on hind margin of head and absence of setae on scape.

Figures

Figs. 45 and 46: Lasius schulzi; holotype