Temnothorax caguatan, Snelling, Roy R., Borowiec, Marek L. & Prebus, Matthew M., 2014

Snelling, Roy R., Borowiec, Marek L. & Prebus, Matthew M., 2014, Studies on California ants: a review of the genus Temnothorax (Hymenoptera, Formicidae), ZooKeys 372, pp. 27-89 : 34-37

Temnothorax caguatan sp. n. Figures 1, 6-8, 20, 24-26

Leptothorax sp. BCA-3; Johnson and Ward 2002: 1023.

Temnothorax sp. CA-03; Ward 2005: 68.

Diagnosis of worker.

Antenna 11-segmented; propodeal spines distinct and more than half as long as distance between their bases; node of petiole node subrectangular in profile; head and mesosoma coarsely rugose and with reticulate interspaces.

Description.

Worker measurements (mm) (18 measured). EL 0.150-0.179 (0.162); HFL 0.461-0.582 (0.507); HFW 0.120-0.147 (0.129); HL 0.674-0.769 (0.706); HW 0.560-0.673 (0.604); IOD 0.486-0.585 (0.526); OMD 0.158-0.194 (0.171); PPW 0.257-0.321 (0.279); PSL 0.153-0.203 (0.166); PTW 0.192-0.259 (0.214); PW 0.387-0.480 (0.421); SL 0.437-0.524 (0.464); WL 0.757-0.927 (0.826). Indices: CI 81.8-88.5 (85.5); FI 79.7-90.5 (83.9); OI 21.7-24.4 (23.0); PI 123-138 (131); PSI 22.4-26.4 (23.5); SI 64.0-68.1 (65.7).

Head longer than broad in frontal view; lateral margins parallel or nearly so; posterior margin transverse. Antenna 11-segmented with indistinct apical 3-segmented club; scape ending below posterior margin by more than its apical width. Eye small; IOD 3.04-3.44 × EL; EL 0.88-1.04 × OMD. Mandibles coarsely longitudinally rugose. Median carina of clypeus flanked on each side by three about equally strong carinae. Dorsum of head with coarse longitudinal rugae that diverge slightly posteriorly; posterior one–third to one–half with coarse rugoreticulosity; interspaces slightly shiny with shallow punctures. Dorsum with sparse erect, stiff, blunt–tipped yellowish setae; ventral surface with several longer acute setae on each side.

Mesosoma slender, WL 1.91-2.03 × PW; profile of mesosomal dorsum nearly flat, sometimes weakly depressed at metanotal suture. Propodeal spines well developed, PSI 22.4-26.4, slightly down–curved in profile and about as long as distance between their bases. Dorsum and sides with strong, well–separated longitudinal rugae, interspaces contiguously punctate and slightly shiny; pronotum anteriorly usually with some reticulae. Metafemur 3.72-4.23 × longer than thick in dorsal view. Dorsum with 20+ short standing setae along entire length.

Petiole with anterior peduncle; node in profile subrectangular, dorsal face sloping posteriorly, flat to slightly convex; posterior face short; subpetiolar tooth prominent, usually acute; Postpetiole rectangular in dorsal view and 1.23-1.38 times as wide as petiole node. Petiole node rugoreticulate, postpetiole similar and with weak longitudinal rugae at sides; both nodes finely reticulate between rugae. Each with 6-10 standing setae that are longer than those of mesosoma.

Gaster, in dorsal view, 2.40-2.66 times wider than node of postpetiole. Disc of first tergum smooth and shiny between sparse, distinct piligerous punctures. All segments with numerous long, narrowly rectangular to subacute yellowish setae.

Head and body light to dark reddish-brown, mesosoma lighter than either head or gaster.

Gyne measurements (1 measured): EL 0.246; HFL 0.740; HFW 0.162; HL 0.811; HW 0.762; IOD 0.633; OMD 0.164; PPW 0.405; PSL 0.178; PTW 0.305; PW 0.814; SL 0.549; WL 1.446. Indices: CI 94.0; FI 97.1; OI 30.3; PI 133; PSI 22.0; SI 67.7.

Head longer than broad, margins approximately parallel in frontal view and broadly rounded into transverse posterior margin. Antennal scape extending back to level of lateral ocellus. Eye large and moderately convex, IOD 2.57 × EL in frontal view; EL 1.50 × OMD. Sculpture and pilosity about as in worker.

Mesosoma slender, WL 1.78 × PW. Mesonotum flat in profile. Propodeal spines thick at base, about half as long as infraspinal distance. Mesoscutum with conspicuous longitudinal rugae, and interspaces weakly reticulate; mesoscutellum also rugose, but more irregularly, underlying irregular sculpture more pronounced than on mesoscutum. Side of pronotum duller and with distinct fine reticulum; mesepisternum shinier and finely reticulate anteriorly to longitudinally rugose posteriorly; propodeum dull, finely reticulate with striae in anterior portion. Pilosity suberect to erect, short (less than 0.1 mm), not flattened and relatively sharp-tipped.

Remainder as described for worker; gaster 2.95 × as wide as postpetiole.

Male measurements (mm) (2 measured): EL 0.212-0.238 (0.225); HFL 0.686-0.695 (0.691); HFW 0.075-0.084 (0.080); HL 0.502-0.523 (0.513); HW 0.481-0.483 (0.482); IOD 0.333-0.376 (0.355); OMD 0.052-0.058 (0.055); PPW 0.221-0.225 (0.223); PSL N/A; PTW 0.173-0.181 (0.177); PW 0.641-0.668 (0.655); SL 0.140-0.150 (0.145); WL 1.044-1.150 (1.097). Indices: CI 92.4-95.8 (94.1); FI 143-144 (143); OI 40.5-47.4 (44); PI 124-128 (126); PSI N/A; SI 27.9-28.7 (28.3).

Head longer than broad, margins behind eyes slightly convergent and broadly rounded into weakly convex posterior margin. Eyes large and strongly bulging; IOD 1.57-1.58 × EL; OMD very short, about equal to transverse diameter of anterior ocellus; interocellar distance 2.30-2.40 and ocellocular distance 2.20-2.30 times diameter of anterior ocellus. Scape less than a third the length of IOD. Head finely reticulate and with regular longitudinal rugae dorsally and circling the eyes. Dorsum of head with erect setae which are long and sharp–tipped.

Mesosoma robust, WL 1.56-1.79 × PTW. Propodeal spines absent. Sculpture fine and weak, mesoscutal dorsum with very fine longitudinal rugosity, mesoscutellum mostly smooth with scattered rugae. Mesoscutum with scattered suberect short, slender setae; several pairs of longer setae submedially on mesoscutellum.

Summit of petiole node low, broadly convex in profile; subpetiolar process absent.

Mesosoma and petiolar segments brownish yellow; appendages yellow; head and gaster reddish brown.

Material examined.

Holotype worker, U.S.A.: CALIFORNIA: San Diego Co.: Wooded Hill 3km SW Mount Laguna, 1800 m, 32.85°, -116.43°, 26.v.2004, (P. S. Ward, #15252), ex dead branch of Pinus jeffreyi , Pinus jeffreyi forest (CASENT0339251) [UCDC].

Paratypes. Same data as the holotype, 1 worker (CASENT0339252) [AMNH], 1 worker (CASENT0339253) [AMNH], 1 worker (CASENT0339254) [AMNH], 1 worker (CASENT0339255) [CASC], 1 worker (CASENT0339256) [CASC], 1 worker (CASENT0339257) [CASC], 1 worker (CASENT0339258) [LACM], 1 worker (CASENT0339259) [LACM], 1 worker (CASENT0339260) [LACM], 1 worker (CASENT0339261) [USNM], 1 worker (CASENT0339262) [USNM], 1 worker (CASENT0339263) [USNM]; 1 dealate gyne, 2 workers (CASENT0339250) [UCDC], 1 worker (CASENT0339264) [UCDC], 1 worker (CASENT0339265) [UCDC], 1 worker (CASENT0339266) [UCDC].

Non-paratypic material examined. U.S.A.: OREGON: Jackson Co.: Jacksonville, 560 m, 42.31°, -122.982°, 16.vi.2007 (P. S. Ward, #PSW15896.1) on Arctostaphylos , oak woodland, 3 workers (CASENT0106506) [UCDC]; Josephine Co.: 6 km NW Kerby, 460 m, 42.23°, -123.70°, 30.vii.1999 (P. S. Ward, #PSW14130-1) on low vegetation, Pinus jeffreyi forest, 1 worker (CASENT0339281) [UCDC]; Napa Co.: 5 km W Oakville, 560 m, 38.4300°, -122.4500°, 1.iv.1994 (P. S. Ward, #PSW12504-3) on Arctostaphylos , chaparral on serpentine, 3 workers (CASENT0100026) [UCDC]; Nevada Co.: Lang Crossing, South Yuba River, 1425 m, 39.32°, -120.65°, 21.iv.1994 (P. S. Ward, #PSW12570) ex dead branch of Quercus chrysolepis , oak woodland, 3 workers (CASENT0339245) [UCDC]; Nevada Co.: Lang Crossing, South Yuba River, 1425 m, 39.32°, -120.65°, 21.iv.1994 (P. S. Ward, #PSW12570) ex dead branch of Quercus chrysolepis , oak woodland, 3 workers (CASENT0339246) [PSWC]; Placer Co.: 2 km E Colfax, 490 m, 39.1°, -120.93°, 12.iv.1994 (P. S. Ward, #PSW12561) ground forager, oak woodland, 1 worker (CASENT0339247) [UCDC]; Placer Co.: 2 km E Colfax, 490 m, 39.1°, -120.93°, 12.iv.1994 (P. S. Ward, #PSW12562) on Arctostaphylos , oak woodland, 1 worker (CASENT0339248) [UCDC]; San Benito Co.: San Benito Mountain, 1320 m, 36.38°, -120.65°, 17.iv.1999 (P. S. Ward, #PSW13997-2) on Arctostaphylos , chaparral on serpentine, 2 workers (CASENT0339249) [UCDC]; San Mateo Co.: Jasper Ridge, 150 m, 37.4°, -122.23°, 27.iv.2003 (P. S. Ward, #PSW14825) ex dead branch of Quercus agrifolia , oak woodland, 3 workers (CASENT0339267) [UCDC]; San Mateo Co.: Jasper Ridge, 150 m, 37.40°, -122.23°, 27.iv.2003 (P. S. Ward, #PSW14832-3) on Arctostaphylos , chaparral, 2 workers (CASENT0100027) [UCDC]; Santa Barbara Co.: Los Padres National Forest, Cachuma Saddle, 1080 m, 34.73°, -119.92°, 27.xi.1986 (P. S. Ward, #PSW8780) ex dead branch of Quercus agrifolia , oak woodland, 1 dealate gyne, 18 workers (CASENT0339268, CASENT0339269, CASENT0339270, CASENT0339271, CASENT0339272, CASENT0339273, CASENT0339274) [UCDC]; Santa Barbara Co.: Los Padres National Forest, Ranger Peak, 1110 m, 34.72°, -119.97°, 27.xi.1986 (P. S. Ward, #PSW8786) on Arctostaphylos , oak woodland, 1 worker (CASENT0339275) [UCDC]; Santa Cruz Co.: Castle Rock State Park, 880 m, 37.2317°, -122.1083°, 18.iv.2010 (M. L. Borowiec, #MLB12) nest in dead branch on ground, oak woodland, 3 workers (CASENT0339308) [MLBC]; Tulare Co.: 15 km NE Three Rivers, 900 m, 36.52°, -118.77°, 17.iv.1994 (P. S. Ward, #PSW12557) on Arctostaphylos , oak woodland, 2 workers (CASENT0339276) [UCDC], 2 workers (CASENT0339277) [PSWC]; Plumas Co.: 8 km NW Quincy, 1030 m, 40.00°, -120.98°, 26.vi.1998 (P. S. Ward, #PSW13656) ex dead branch of Quercus kelloggii , mixed coniferous forest, 3 workers (CASENT0339278) [PSWC], 3 workers (CASENT0339279) [UCDC]; Plumas Co.: 8 km NW Quincy, 1030 m, 40°, -120.98°, 25.iv.2004 (P. S. Ward, #PSW15256) on tree trunk, mixed coniferous forest, 1 worker (CASENT0339280) [UCDC]; Santa Clara Co.: Blue Oak Ranch Reserve, 570 m, 37.382°, -121.738°, 22.xi.2009 (P. S. Ward, #PSW16285) ex dead branch of Quercus agrifolia , oak woodland, 3 workers (CASENT0106900) [UCDC]; Colusa Co.: 3 km W Fouts Springs, 1125 m, 39.35°, -122.7°, 22.iv.1985 (P. S. Ward, #PSW7483-4) on Arctostaphylos , chaparral, 2 workers (CASENT0339284) [UCDC]; Colusa Co.: 3 km W Fouts Springs, 1125 m, 39.35°, -122.7°, 22.iv.1985 (P. S. Ward, #PSW7483-4) on Arctostaphylos , chaparral, 2 workers (CASENT0339285) [UCDC]; CALIFORNIA: Colusa Co.: 1 km W Fouts Springs, 600 m, 39.3500°, -122.6667°, 14.v.1983 (P. S. Ward, #PSW5940-3) on Arctostaphylos , oak woodland, 2 workers (CASENT0339286) [UCDC]; Humboldt Co.: 3 km W Redway, 120 m, 40.1167°, -123.8500°, 25.vii.1981 (P. S. Ward, #PSW5096) on low vegetation, Sequoia forest, 1 worker (CASENT0339287) [UCDC]; Mariposa Co.: 7 km SW Yosemite Village, 1200 m, 37.7167°, -119.6500°, 19.vii.1981 (P. S. Ward, #PSW5081) ground forager, Quercus - Pinus - Pseudotsuga forest, 1 worker (CASENT0339288) [UCDC]; Mendocino Co.: 8km SW Hopland, 880 m, 38.93°, -123.20°, 2.vi.1984 (P. S. Ward, #PSW6767-1) on Arctostaphylos , Cupressus grove on serpentine, 3 workers (CASENT0339289) [UCDC]; Mendocino Co.: 8km SW Hopland, 880 m, 38.93°, -123.20°, 2.vi.1984 (P. S. Ward, #PSW6768-2) on low vegetation, Cupressus grove on serpentine, 3 workers (CASENT0339290) [UCDC]; Mendocino Co.: Hopland Field Station, 240 m, 39.0000°, -123.0833°, 25.vii.1981 (P. S. Ward, #PSW5089-1) on low vegetation, oak woodland, 1 worker (CASENT0005692) [UCDC]; Napa Co.: 9 km SE Knoxville, 240 m, 38.7500°, -122.2833°, 28.iv.1984 (P. S. Ward, #PSW6691) under stone, riparian woodland, 1 worker (CASENT0339291) [UCDC]; Nevada Co.: Lang Crossing, South Yuba River, 1425 m, 39.3167°, -120.6500°, 12.v.1984 (P. S. Ward, #PSW6732) on low vegetation, oak woodland, 2 workers (CASENT0339292) [UCDC], 2 workers (CASENT0339293) [PSWC]; Placer Co.: 25 km E Foresthill, 1370 m, 39.07°, -120.55°, 22.iv.1985 (P. S. Ward, #PSW7543) ex dead branch of Quercus kelloggii , Quercus - Pinus - Pseudotsuga forest, 3 workers (CASENT0339294) [UCDC]; San Diego Co.: Hwy. 94, 14.8 km E Campo, 965 m, 32.65°, -116.38°, 23.i.1995 (R. A. Johnson, #RAJCA95-1) in 1in dead branch of Quercus agrifolia , 3 workers (CASENT0339299) [UCDC], 3 workers (CASENT0339300) [PSWC]; San Diego Co.: 8 km N Descanso, 915 m, 32.9°, -116.64°, 1.iv.1972 30.iv.1972 (J. H. Hunt, #JHH621) in can trap, oak grove, 2 workers (LACMENT299346) [LACM]; San Diego Co.: 3 km S Santa Ysabel, 33.08°, -116.67°, 10.v.1987 (M. Trepanier) in dead branch of Quercus virginiana (sic), oak woodland, 3 workers (CASENT0339310) [UCDC]; San Diego Co.: 3 km S Santa Ysabel, 33.08°, -116.67°, 10.v.1987 (M. Trepanier) ground forager, chaparral/ Quercus virginiana (sic) woodland, 1 worker (CASENT0339312) [UCDC]; San Diego Co.: 6 km W Julian, 33.08°, -116.66°, 10.v.1987 (M. Trepanier) on oak trunk, 2 workers (CASENT0339313) [UCDC]; San Diego Co.: 8 km N Descanso, 915 m, 32.9°, -116.64°, 12.iv.1972 (J. H. Hunt, #JHH869) 2 workers (LACMENT299352) [LACM]; Contra Costa Co.: Mt. Diablo summit, 1130 m, 37.8817°, -121.9167°, 22.iii.2008 (P. S. Ward, #PSW16052.1) sifted litter (leaf mold, rotten wood), oak woodland, 1 worker (CASENT0106644) [UCDC]; Nevada Co.: Empire Mine State Historic Park, near Grass Valley, 760 m, 39.21°, -121.04°, 24.iv.2011 (M. L. Borowiec, #MLB256.3) sifter leaf litter, mixed coniferous forest, 1 worker (CASENT0339307) [MLBC]; Santa Cruz Co.: Castle Rock State Park, 880 m, 37.23100°, -122.10853° ± 440 m, 18.iv.2010 (P. S. Ward, #PSW16313) on tree trunk, oak woodland, 1 worker (CASENT0339301) [UCDC]; Riverside Co.: Kenworthy, 1425 m, 33.64339°, -116.62041° ± 56 m, 28.iv.2011 (B. E. Boudinot, #BEB475) beating shrubs, chaparral on steep hill, 2 workers (CASENT0248048) [MMPC], 2 workers (CASENT0248049) [MMPC]; Mendocino Co.: 6.8 km SE Leggett, 455 m, 39.8337°, -123.6451°, 29.iii.2013 (M. M. Prebus, #MMP1066) on Arctostaphylos , arid slope, 1 worker (CASENT0339302) [MMPC]; Santa Barbara Co.: 7 km N Goleta, 610 m, 34.5°, -119.81°, 7.x.1984 (P. S. Ward, #PSW7095) ex dead branch of Quercus agrifolia , oak woodland, 1 male (CASENT0339303) [UCDC]; Santa Barbara Co.: 7 km N Goleta, 610 m, 34.51°, -119.81°, 7.x.1984 (P. S. Ward, #PSW7095) ex dead branch of Quercus agrifolia , oak woodland, 2 worker, 1 male (CASENT0339304) [UCDC]; MEXICO: BAJA CALIFORNIA: 20 km E Ensenada, 650 m, 31.88°, -116.40°, 27.iv.1998 (P. S. Ward, #PSW13581-1) on tree trunk, oak woodland, 3 workers (CASENT0339282) [UCDC], 3 workers (CASENT0339283) [UCDC]; Sierra San Pedro Martir, 24.3 km SW Observatorio, 1660 m, 30.97°, -115.60°, 8.ii.1996 (R. A. Johnson, #RAJBC96-22) in 0.5in dead branch of Quercus agrifolia , 3 workers (CASENT0339295) [UCDC], 3 workers (CASENT0339296) [UCDC]; Sierra San Pedro Martir, 24.3 km SW Observatorio, 1660 m, 30.97°, -115.60°, 8.ii.1996 (R. A. Johnson, #RAJBC96-23) in 0.5in dead branch of Quercus agrifolia , 3 workers (CASENT0339297) [UCDC]; Sierra Juarez, 15.3 km S Laguna Hanson, 1585 m, 31.93°, -115.97°, 15.v.2000 (R. A. Johnson, #RAJ2001) in 0.3in dead branch of Quercus sp., 3 workers (CASENT0339298) [UCDC].

Etymology.

When Hernán Cortéz was conquering central Mexico, the Nahua speaking people related to him tales of a fabulous land, ruled by women, far to the northwest that was rich in gold and gems. They named this land “Caguatán”, the Land of Women. This tale presumably inspired Cortéz and other avaricious conquistadors to search for this marvelous land, ultimately leading the Spaniards to the Californias. The name California is that used by some fiction writers and explorers of the time for a mythical land inhabited by beautiful black women ruled by their queen, Calafia.

Remarks.

Because the antennae are 11-segmented and the propodeal spines are long, among our California species Temnothorax caguatan can only be confused with Temnothorax rugatulus , which has a shorter petiole node with acute top and relatively more slender hind femur (Figure 20E, F; see key for measurements). The latter also typically nests in soil, commonly under covering objects such as small stones, although collections are known from dead wood and arboreal sites (P. S. Ward pers. comm.).

This widely distributed arboreal species has been collected in a variety of habitats, ranging from oak woodland to grey pine and Sequoia forests, but the preponderance of the records have been from oak woodland. It has been found in association with a number of tree and shrub species: Arctostaphylos spp., Pinus jeffreyi , Quercus agrifolia , Quercus chrysolepis and Quercus kelloggii . Nest samples have been taken from dead branches of all three Quercus species and one was from a dead branch of Pinus jeffreyi .