Temnothorax xanthos, Radchenko, 2004

Radchenko, A., 2004, A Review Of The Ant Genera Leptothorax Mayr And Temnothorax Mayr (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) Of The Eastern Palaearctic, Acta Zoologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae 50 (2), pp. 109-137 : 114

Temnothorax xanthos sp. n.

( Figs 4–6 )

Material examined: 1 worker (holotype), North Korea , Kongmin Vang Nung, near Kaesong, 14.viii.87, leg. E. KIERYCH. Deposited in the Museum and Institute of Zoology of the Polish Academy of Sciences (Warsaw, Poland) .

Worker ( Figs 4–6 ). Description – Head slightly longer than broad (CI = 1.14), with distinctly convex sides, broadly rounded behind the eyes, without marked occipital corners. Anterior clypeal margin broadly rounded. Antennae 12-segmented, antennal scape relatively long, almost reaching occipital margin (SI 1 = 0.76, SI 2 = 0.86).

Alitrunk with slightly convex dorsum, without metanotal groove. Propodeum with very long, not widened basally, slightly down-curved, sharp spines (ESLI = 0.35). Humeri in dorsal view broadly rounded. Petiole distinctly longer than high (PI = 1.54), with a distinct anterior peduncle; petiolar node in profile with concave anterior face and weakly convex and slightly rounded dorsal plate. Postpetiole as high as the petiole, subglobular.

Occiput and lateral parts of head dorsum finely ruguloso-reticulate; whole head densely punctate, appears dull. Alitrunk and waist densely punctate, appears dull, dorsolateral parts of the alitrunk also with fine longitudinal striation.

Occipital margin and dorsum of the alitrunk with long, thin, slightly curved standing hairs, which are longer than the maximal eye diameter.

Body and appendages ochreous-yellow.

Queens and males are unknown.

Ecology is unknown.

Etymology. The species is named after the Greek word ξανδοζ – yellow.

Differential diagnosis. T. xanthos well differs from all known Eastern Palaearctic (including Japanese) Temnothorax species by its uniform yellowish colour and its peculiar shape of head, which is broadly rounded above the eyes, without marked occipital corners, and with the distinctly convex sides.

Figures

Figs 1–6. Details of structure of Temnothorax cuneinodis (holotype, worker, 1–3) and T. xanthos (holotype, worker, 4–6). (1, 4) Head, dorsal view; (2, 5) alitrunk and waist in profile; (3, 6) alitrunk