Tapinoma kinburni Karavaiev 1937

Seifert, Bernhard, Kaufmann, Bernard & Fraysse, Lorenzo, 2024, A taxonomic revision of the Palaearctic species of the ant genus Tapinoma Mayr 1861 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), Zootaxa 5435 (1), pp. 1-74 : 63

Tapinoma kinburni Karavaiev 1937 [image of neotype, topotypical specimens]

The species was described from Zolonoozerna Dacha (46.462°N, 32.159°E, 3 m), 6 km W of Rybalche, Kinburn penisula, Ukraine. The diagnosis presented here is based on investigation of the image CASENT0917470 of the neotype and of three worker series from the type locality .

Material examined. Numeric phenotypical data were taken in 3 samples with 7 workers. They originated from the type locality in the Ukraine. For details see supplementary information SI1, SI2 .

Geographic range. So far only known from the type locality and a site near to the Korsun Monastery (46.76°N, 33.19°E).

Diagnosis:—Worker ( Tab. 7, Figs. 21–23 ): All shape ratios given below are primary ratios without RAV and all data are given as arithmetic mean ± standard deviation (n-weighted). Small size, CS 586 ± 24 µm. Head moderately elongated CL/CW 1.137 ± 0.024. Postocular distance medium-sized, PoOc/CL 0.435 ± 0.008. Anteromedian clypeal excision shallow and broad, ExCly/CS 2.96 ± 0.30 %, ExClyW 8.12 ± 0.84 %. Pubescence hairs and fine setae protruding at a few micron across margin of clypeal excision usually absent, nExCly 0.43 ± 0.53; clypeus margin lateral of the excision with 3–5 long and 3–4 shorter setae. Posterior margin of head not or only very slightly excavated, ExOcc/CS 0.73 ± 0.47 %. Scape short, SL/CS 0.24 ± 0.013. Second funiculus segment very short, Fu2L/CS 10.18 ± 0.35 %, IFu2 1.141 ± 0.068. Minimum distance of the inner margins of antennal socket medium-sized, dAN/CS 0.303 ± 0.005. Eye moderately large, EL/CS 0.273 ± 0.006. Mesosoma relatively narrow and rather short, MW/CS 0.631 ± 0.011, ML/CS 1.219 ± 0.036. Metanotal depression rather shallow, MGr/CS 2.47 ± 0.38 %. Whole body homogeneously dark to blackish brown; metatarsae, tarsae, distal end of scape and often mandible pale yellowish brown.

—Male genital: see drawings in Radchenko (1983).

Taxonomic comments. As a combination of small size, short scape and second funiculus segment, and shallow clypeal excision not to confuse. Nanitic workers of Tapinoma subboreale , which have a similar body size, can be distinguished by SL/CS> 0.970 and Fu2L/CS> 0.117.

Biology [according to Karavaiev (1937) and Radchenko (1983)]. The findings were made in semi-open sandy areas covered by xerophile plants and interspersed with small salt lakes and stands of arboreal relict flora such as Pedunculate Oak and Silver Birch. The nests are in soil, in patches with incomplete turf cover and have entrance holes of 2–4 mm diameter which are often surrounded by crater-like sand ejections of up to 8 cm diameter. Foraging is diurnal and only interrupted during the hottest post-meridiem hours. Alates were observed between 16 June and 20 July.

Figures

FIGURE 21. Tapinoma kinburni, head in full face view, Rybalche / Ukraine, 1982.06.08.

FIGURE 22. Tapinoma kinburni, lateral view, Rybalche / Ukraine, 1982.06.08.

FIGURE 23. Tapinoma kinburni, anterior head in dorsofronal view, Rybalche / Ukraine, 1982.06.08.