Lasius karpinisi 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 : 61-62

4.4.22 Lasius karpinisi Seifert 1992

Lasius karpinisi Seifert 1992 [type investigation]

Type material: Holotype and 3 paratype workers labellled ”GR: Evritania , Mt. Timfristos, 4 km E Karpinisi 11. VI. 1982 loc. 24 leg. R. Danielsson (DAYS)“; depository SMN Görlitz. The type locality is situated at approximately 38.92°N and 21.86°E.

All material examined. Only the type sample was available.

Diagnosis (Tab. 5, Figs. 43 –44; key; images in www. antWeb.org with specimen identifiers FOCOL0744): Absolute size rather large (CS 912 µm). Scape length index large (SL/CS 900 1.024) but head length index, in contrast, very small (CL/CW 900 1.037). Terminal segment of maxillary palps moderately long (MP6/CS 900 0.177). Number of mandibular dents medium (MaDe 900 8.30). Clypeal pubescence moderately dense, intermediate between the situation in the L. paralienus and L. obscuratus species complexes (sqPDCL 900 4.18). Pronotal setae very short (PnHL/CS 900 0.108). Setae number on hind margin of head moderate (nOcc 900 8.0). Gular setae few (nGu 900 2.6). Dorsum of scape without and extensor profile of hind tibia with few semierect setae (nSc 900 0.0, nHT 900 4.2). Metapleuron below propodeal spiracle with few setae(nSt 900 3.5). Coloration: Head and gaster medium brown with a reddish tinge; mesosoma, coxae and femora reddish brown; scape and tibiae reddish-yellowish, distal half of antennal funiculus darker.

Biology. Unknown.

Comments. As the type sample show no signs for morphological malformation and is unique in the character combination, it appears reasonable to hypothesize L. karpinisi as a good species endemic in the Pindos Mountains.

Figures

Figs. 43 and 44: Lasius karpinisi; holotype