Temnothorax mongolicus ( Pisarski, 1969 )

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 : 5-7

Temnothorax mongolicus ( Pisarski, 1969)

Fig. 1

Leptothorax serviculus subsp. mongolicus Pisarski, 1969: 299 , figs 5–10 (w.) MONGOLIA. Palearctic. Paratype worker images ( Antweb 2023, CASENT 0916693) examined.

Leptothorax opaciabdomin Chang & He, 2001: 2 , figs 2, 6, 10 (w.) CHINA. Palearctic. Syn. nov.

Leptothorax mongolicus – Radchenko 1994: 156.

Temnothorax mongolicus – Bolton 2003: 271.

Temnothorax opaciabdomin – Zhou et al. 2010: 10 (in key). Holotype worker ( Fig. 2a–c ) examined.

Diagnosis

In full-face view, the shapes of the head capsule, mandibles, clypeus and antennae of the holotype worker of Leotothorax opaciabdomin ( Fig. 2A ) are similar to the ones of the paratype worker of T. mongolicus ( Fig. 1A ). Head roughly rectangular, longer than broad, posterior margin nearly straight, posterior corners broadly rounded, lateral margins weakly convex. Clypeus with median carina, anterior margin weakly convex. Antennae 12-segmented, scapes failing to reach posterior head margin.

In lateral view, the holotype worker of Temnothorax opaciabdomin ( Fig. 2B ) also has similar to shaped mesosoma and petiole the paratype worker of T. mongolicus ( Fig. 1B ). Promesonotum moderately convex. Metanotal groove absent. Propodeal dorsum gently sloping down posteriorly; propodeal spines shorter than declivity. Petiole without anterior peduncle; petiolar node with straight anterior and posterior margins.

In dorsal view, the holotype worker of Temnothorax opaciabdomin ( Fig. 2C ) shows similar to shape in mesosoma and petiole the paratype worker of T. mongolicus ( Fig. 1C ). Pronotum broad, humeral corners broadly rounded, lateral margins strongly convex. Mesothorax moderately constricted and narrowing posteriorly, lateral margins moderately concave. Propodeum roughly rectangular, lateral margins almost straight; spines short, pointed posterolaterally. Petiole widening posteriorly and slightly longer than broad, lateral margins weakly convex. Postpetiole roughly trapezoidal.

The holotype worker of Temnothorax opaciabdomin ( Fig. 2 ) shows similar to characters in body surface sculpture, pilosity and color to paratype worker of T. mongolicus ( Fig. 1 ). Head dorsum longitudinally rugose with interface finely reticulate, gradually reticulate posteriorly and laterally. Promesonotum, propodeum, petiole and postpetiole finely reticulate with interface punctate. Gaster smooth and shiny. Head and gaster blackish brown, thorax, petiole and postpetiole light brown.

Taxonomic notes

After the above comparison, we could not find significant differences between the two species. Although in the original description, Chang & He (2001) stated “Gaster finely punctate and therefore not very shiny”. In the key, they stated “Gaster relatively coarsely punctate and therefore not very shiny”, and the Latin name “opaciabdomin ” means the gaster is opaque. Zhou et al. (2010) adopted the original description and stated in the key “First gastral tergite coarsely punctuate, opaque”. However, after reexamining the images of holotype specimen, we found the gaster of T. opaciabdomin is wholly smooth and shiny. Therefore, we are confident that T. opaciabdomin is a junior synonym of T. mongolicus .

Figures

Fig. 1. Temnothorax mongolicus (Pisarski, 1969), paratype worker (MIZW). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view. Images cited fromwww.antweb.org, CASENT 0916693, photos by Flavia Esteves.

Fig. 2. Leptothorax opaciabdomin Chang & He, 2001, holotype worker (NXU 99-161). A. Head in fullface view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view.