Temnothorax messiniaensis, Salata, Sebastian & Borowiec, Lech, 2019

Salata, Sebastian & Borowiec, Lech, 2019, Preliminary division of not socially parasitic Greek Temnothorax Mayr, 1861 (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) with a description of three new species, ZooKeys 877, pp. 81-131 : 81

Temnothorax messiniaensis sp. nov. Figs 3-4 , 5-6 , 10 , 12 , 14

Type material.

Holotype, worker (pin) (CASENT0846796): GREECE, Pel., Messinia | 2 km E of Kalamata, 65 m, | 37.01863N / 22.15626E | 12 VI 2016, L. Borowiec || Collection L. Borowiec | Formicidae | LBC-GR01997 (MNHW).

Paratypes: • 3Q., 7w. (pin) (CASENT0846639-CASENT0846648): the same nest sample as holotype (DBET, BMNH, CASC, MHNG); • 1w. (pin) (CASENT0846649): GREECE, Pel., Messinia | 1.4 km S of Flesiada, 700 m | 37.08964N, 21.76581E | 16 VI 2016, L. Borowiec || Collection L. Borowiec | Formicidae | LBC-GR02091 (DBET); • 1w. (pin) (CASENT0846650): GREECE, Pel., Messinia | Kalamata, old centre, 60 m | 37.04617N, 22.11691E | 11 VI 2016, L. Borowiec || Collection L. Borowiec | Formicidae | LBC-GR02216 (DBET); • 2w. (pin) (CASENT0846651-CASENT0846652): GREECE, Pel., Messinia | Kalamata, railway park, 8m | 37.03157N, 22.11004E | 11 VI 2016, L. Borowiec || Collection L. Borowiec | Formicidae | LBC-GR01989 (DBET); • 2w. (pin) (CASENT0846653-CASENT0846654): GREECE, Pel., Messinia | 0.8 km N of Koromilea, 485 m | 37.16272N, 21.84809E | 16 VI 2016, L. Borowiec || Collection L. Borowiec | Formicidae | LBC-GR02103 (DBET); • 1w. (pin) (CASENT0846655): GREECE, Pel., Messinia | 0.8 km SE of Exochori, 535 m | 36.89582N, 22.27464E | 20 VI 2016, L. Borowiec || Collection L. Borowiec | Formicidae | LBC-GR02658 (DBET); • 1w. (pin) (CASENT0846656): GREECE, Pel., Messinia | 0.8 km W of Eleochori, 481 m 37.03838N, 22.17227E | 13 VI 2016, lL. Borowiec || Collection L. Borowiec | Formicidae | LBC-GR02005 (DBET).

Other material.

Greece. Ionian Islands, Cephalonia: • 7w. (EtOH): Avithos Lake, shrubs around small lake, 38.17203N / 20.71107E, 288 m, 2019-06-10, leg. L. Borowiec; • 3w. (pin), 9w. (EtOH): 1.6 km SW of Digaleto, small gorge with oaks, 38.16558N, 20.67099E, 564 m, 2019-06-11, leg. L. Borowiec; • 1w. (EtOH): 1.8 km SW of Digaleto, pastures with oaks, 38.16593N, 20.66788E, 580 m, 2019-06-11, leg. L. Borowiec; • 7w. (EtOH): Kapandriti vicinity, roadsides with herbs, 38.12913N / 20.72447E, 320 m, 2019-06-09, leg. L. Borowiec; • 12w. (EtOH): Katapodata; roadsides with shrubs, 38.23337N / 20.64594E, 100 m, 2019-06-10, leg. L. Borowiec; • 1w. (pin) (CASENT0846797), 43w. (EtOH): 800 m S of Kateleios, roadsides with bushes, 38.07066N / 20.75329E, 20 m, 2019-06-09, leg. L. Borowiec; • 5w. (EtOH): 1.5 km NE of Koulourata, mixed forest on shrubs, 38.20667N / 20.67715E, 273 m, 2019-06-10, leg. L. Borowiec; • 48w. (EtOH): Kremmidi, roadsides with bushes, 38.09048N / 20,74471E, 285 m, 2019-06-09, leg. L. Borowiec; • 7w. (EtOH): Moni Aprilion, hill with oak forest and rocks, 38.26221N / 20.66651E, 220 m, 2019-06-10, leg. L. Borowiec; • 48w. (EtOH): 1 km NW of Pastra, roadsides with bushes, 38.10058N / 20.7421E, 300 m, 2019-06-09, leg. L. Borowiec; • 4w. (EtOH): 1.7 km NW of Pastra, pastures, on shrubs, 38.1084N / 20.74085E, 300 m, 2019-06-09, leg. L. Borowiec; • 6w. (pin) (CASENT0846798-CASENT0846803): n. Peratata, pine forest on a rocky hill, 38.14058N / 20.55038E, 211 m, 2014-06-24, leg. L. Borowiec; • 11w. (EtOH): ancient Same; roadsides with shrubs, 38.2522N / 20.66423E, 220 m, 2019-06-10, leg. L. Borowiec; • 3w. (pin) (CASENT0846804-CASENT0846806), 6w. (EtOH): Skala vicinity loc. 1, small gorge with mediterranean shrubs, 38.08178N / 20.79275E, 40 m, 2019-06-07, leg. L. Borowiec; • 5w. (pin) (CASENT0846807-CASENT0846811), 44w, 1q (EtOH): Skala vicinity loc. 2, small gorge with mediterranean shrubs, nest inside dry branch of shrub, 38.08221N, 20.79504E, 34 m, 2019-06-07, leg. L. Borowiec; • 61w. (EtOH): rd. Skala-Poros; mediterranean shrubs, 38.12872N / 20.79576E, 5 m, 2019-06-12, leg. L. Borowiec. Ionian Islands, Zakynthos: • 3w. (pin) (CASENT0846812-CASENT0846814), 3w. (EtOH): 1 km N of Exo Chora, mixed forest, 37.81063N / 20.68459E, 430 m, 2018-05-08, leg. L. Borowiec; • 1w. (pin) (CASENT0846815): 1.2 km N of Vasilikos, roadsides along olive plantation and pasture with oak shrubs, 37.72456N / 20.97786E, 30 m, 2018-05-05, leg. L. Borowiec; • 5w. (pin) (CASENT0846816-CASENT0846820), 1w. (EtOH): 1.2 km NE of Anafonitria, shrubs around burned forests, 37.85489N / 20.64124E, 475 m, 2018-05-10, leg. L. Borowiec; • 1w. (pin) (CASENT0846821): 1.2 km SE of Loucha, roadsides in cypress forest, 37.78617N / 20.73706E, 445 m, 2018-05-09, leg. L. Borowiec; • 5w. (pin), 3w. (EtOH): 1.2 km SW of Skinaria, limestone hills after burned forests, 37.87694N / 20.69272E, 375 m, 2018-05-06, leg. L. Borowiec; • 2w. (pin) (CASENT0846822-CASENT0846823): 1.4 km S of Lithakia, shrubs along olive plantation, 37.70641N / 20.82342E, 225 m, 2018-05-07, leg. L. Borowiec; • 2w. (pin) (CASENT0846824-CASENT0846825): 1.8 km SW of Volimes, shrubs along roadsides, 37.86472N / 20.64234E, 350 m, 2018-05-10, leg. L. Borowiec; • 3w. (pin) (CASENT0846826-CASENT0846827), 40w. (EtOH): 1.9 km W of Maries, roadsides in burned forests, 37.818N / 20.65556E, 290 m, 2018-05-09, leg. L. Borowiec; • 3w. (pin) (CASENT0846828-CASENT0846830), 19w. (EtOH): 330 m S of Stimies, shrubs around olive plantation, 37.69009N / 20.79988E, 245 m, 2018-05-07, leg. L. Borowiec; • 1w. (pin) (CASENT0846831): 470 m NE of Orthonies, shrubs along roadsides, 37.85435N / 20.69843E, 405 m, 2018-05-10, leg. L. Borowiec; 1w. (pin) (CASENT0846832): 580 m SW of Lithakia, shrubs along roadsides, 37.71491N / 20.8242E, 225 m, 2018-05-07, leg. L. Borowiec; • 3w. (pin) (CASENT0846833-CASENT0846835), 4w. (EtOH): 600 m E of Ag. Leon, shrubs in pine forest, 37.77045N / 20.72959E, 600 m, 2018-05-09, leg. L. Borowiec; • 2w. (pin) (CASENT0846836-CASENT0846837), 3w. (EtOH): 700 m SW of Koroni, maquis, 37.86582N / 20.71753E, 290 m, 2018-05-10, leg. L. Borowiec; • 2w. (pin) (CASENT0846838-CASENT0846839): 800 m SE of Xirokastello, roadsides along olive plantation, 37.73491N / 20.95139E, 75 m, 2018-05-05, leg. L. Borowiec; • 3w. (pin) (CASENT0846840-CASENT0846842), 9w. (EtOH): 880 m S of Orthonies, shrubs in cypress forest, 37.84462N / 20.69843E, 390 m, 2018-05-10, leg. L. Borowiec; • 3w. (pin) (CASENT0846843-CASENT0846845), 2w. (EtOH): Ag. Georgiou monastery, shrubs along roadsides, 37.85971N / 20.63646E, 330 m, 2018-05-10, leg. L. Borowiec; • 2w. (pin) (CASENT0846846-CASENT0846847): Ag. Joannis, roadsides with shrubs, 37.72924N / 20.94553E, 165 m, 2018-05-05, leg. L. Borowiec; • 1w. (pin) (CASENT0846848): Vrachionas Mts., mountain pastures with shrubs, 37.81798N / 20.70621E, 670 m, 2018-05-08, leg. L. Borowiec; Peloponnese, Achaia: • 1w (pin) (CASENT0846849): Kalavrita, 710 m, 38.03342N, 22.10456E, leg. C. Lebas; Peloponnese, Lakonia: • 1w (pin) (CASENT0846850): Mistra vicinity, 378 m, 37.08115N, 22.36545E, leg. C. Lebas.

Terra typica.

Greece, Peloponnese, Messinia.

Differential diagnosis.

Both T. messiniaensis sp. nov. and T. turcicus (Santschi) are characterised by very long propodeal spines, character strongly distinguishing them from T. brackoi sp. nov. They differ from species of the T. interruptus group in lack of wide frontal lobes and not distinctly triangular propodeal spines; from T. affinis they differ in brighter body colouration and shape of propodeal spines ( T. affinis has propodeal spines thin and never triangular, while T. messiniaensis and T. turcicus have propodeal spines more triangular, with wider base); from T. kemali both new species differ in absence of distinctly arched dorsum of petiole node and more triangular shape of propodeal spines, additionally T. messiniaensis differs from T. kemali in not reduced sculpture on frons centre and T. turcicus differs from T. kemali in very thin dark band on posterior part of first gastral tergite. T. messiniaensis differs from T. turcicus in not reduced sculpture on frons centre and wider dark band on posterior part of first gastral tergite. From specimens of T. aveli with long propodeal spines and almost complete microreticulation of head T. messiniaensis differs in less convex mesosoma, longer head, usually darkened gena and propodeal spines directed more upwards.

Description of worker (n = 10): HL: 0.619 ± 0.04 (0.565-0.682); HW: 0.515 ± 0.03 (0.471-0.564); SL: 0.428 ± 0.02 (0.388-0.459); EL: 0.134 ± 0.008 (0.129-0.153); EW: 0.102 ± 0.01 (0.094-0.118); WL: 0.723 ± 0.05 (0.624-0.765); PSL: 0.171 ± 0.02 (0.135-0.188); SDL: 0.109 ± 0.02 (0.082-0.159); PEL: 0.263 ± 0.02 (0.224-0.282); PPL: 0.167 ± 0.007 (0.152-0.176); PEH: 0.207 ± 0.009 (0.188-0.281); PPH: 0.195 ± 0.01 (0.176-0.212); PNW: 0.359 ± 0.03 (0.318-0.400); PLW: 0.162 ± 0.01 (0.141-0.176); PPW: 0.208 ± 0.01 (0.188-0.223); CI: 83.4 ± 2.5 (78.9-86.6); SI1: 69.1 ± 2.3 (65.5-72.5); SI2: 82.9 ± 2.4 (78.6-87.6); MI: 49.7 ± 1.6 (47.6-52.3); EI1: 76.4 ± 6.8 (66.7-90.9); EI2: 16.5 ± 1.1 (14.5-18.2); PI: 127.2 ± 4.5 (118.0-133.3); PPI: 85.9 ± 4.1 (77.7-93.3); PSI: 170.8 ± 16.8 (153.8-200.0).

Colour.

Head, antennae, mesosoma, petiole, postpetiole and legs uniformly yellow to ochre, often posterior part of frons, gena and femora partly darkened, occasionally also antennal club slightly darkened. Gaster yellow, only the first gaster tergite with wide, dark band on its posterior part ( Figs 3 , 4 ). Head. Rectangular, but slightly longer than in both Greek congeners, 1.2 times as long as wide, lateral surfaces below and above eyes gently convex, posterior edges convex, occipital margin of head straight or slightly concave ( Figs 10 , 14 ). Anterior margin of the clypeus slightly convex, medial notch absent. Eyes moderate, oval, 1.31 times as long as wide. Antennal scape short, in lateral view slightly curved, 0.69 times as long as length of the head, in apex gradually widened, its base with small, triangular tooth, funiculus long, club 3-segmented ( Fig. 10 ). Surface of scape with very fine microreticulation, shiny, covered with thin, moderate dense, decumbent setae. Mandibles rounded with thick sparse, longitudinal striae, shiny. Clypeus shiny with thick, sparse, longitudinal striae, area between striae smooth and shiny. Frontal carinae short, not extending beyond frontal lobes. Antennal fossa deep, with irregular, dense rugosity and sometimes with a few thin, roundly curved striae. Frontal lobes narrow, smooth with slight, dense longitudinal striation ( Fig. 14 ). Frons, vertex and temples with dense, thick, reticulation, central surface of frons with longitudinal reticulation and sometimes with additional thin, longitudinal striation, striae sometimes interrupted, surface between striation smooth; malar area with irregular, thick, reticulation, space between reticulation smooth or with very sparse microreticulation, shiny; genae with sparser, than on frons, and thick reticulation, shiny. Frons and vertex with erect, pale, short and thick setae ( Fig. 14 ). Mesosoma. Elongate, approximately twice as long as wide, slightly arched in profile. Metanotal groove absent or slightly marked as in the species from the Temnothorax angustulus group. Pronotum convex on sides. Propodeal spines long, directed upward, with base slightly to moderate wider than apex, tips sharp ( Fig. 4 ). Whole surface with dense, reticulation, sometimes its dorsal surface and lateral surfaces of pronotum and mesonotum with additional thick, sparse to moderate dense longitudinal striation or longitudinal reticulation. Area between thick sculpture shiny, smooth or sometimes with sparse, fine microreticulation ( Fig. 4 ). Entire mesosoma bearing erect, pale, short and thick setae ( Figs 3 , 4 ). Petiole. In lateral view, with short peduncle, node moderate high, with anterior face flat, and posterior face convex and dorsum flat or slightly convex. Peduncle and petiolar node shiny, with thick, dense reticulation and sometimes thick, sparse longitudinal wrinkles, area between rugae smooth, dorsum with sparser reticulation. Dorsal surface bearing sparse, short, erect setae ( Fig. 4 ). Postpetiole. In lateral view, regularly convex, apical half with gently convex sides ( Figs 3 , 4 ), on the whole surface shiny, with thick, dense reticulation, dorsum with sparser reticulation; area between rugae smooth. Dorsal surface bearing sparse, short, erect setae ( Figs 3 , 4 ). Gaster. Gaster smooth and shiny, bearing erect, thin, pale setae ( Figs 3 , 4 ).

Description of gyne (n = 3): Colour. Head in frontal part yellowish brown to brown, gena and temples yellowish, border between dark and pale parts of head diffused. Antennae uniformly yellow. Pronotum yellow, scutum yellow laterally and yellowish brown anteriorly, without distinct borders between darker and paler parts. Mesosterna brown, propodeum yellowish dorsally and gradually darker ventrally, petiole and postpetiole brown dorsally and yellow ventrally. Legs mostly yellow, mid- and hind femora largely brown centrally. Gastral tergites mostly brown, first tergite with large yellowish spot basally, all tergites with yellowish to yellowish brown posterior margin ( Figs 5 , 6 ). Head. Eyes big, oval [EL / HW: 0.30]. Antennal scape short [SL / HW: 42], not reaching occipital margin of head. Clypeus shiny with distinct, longitudinally carinulae, interstices smooth. Antennal fossa deep, with concentric carinae, interspaces smooth. Frontal lobes moderately wide 0.4 times as wide as head width, microreticulate with thick longitudinal costae. Frons shiny, entire surface longitudinally costate, interstices on sides distinctly microreticulate, in central part microreticulation diffused and surface appears partly smooth and shiny. Area above eyes and sides of head microreticulate and longitudinally costate, interstices appear slightly rugulose. Entire head bearing suberect to erect, pale and thin setae. Mesosoma. Pronotum anteriorly with regular microreticulation and on sides microreticulate with thin longitudinal costae. Scutum with dense, regular, thin longitudinal costae and more or less diffused microreticulation between costae, appears slightly shiny. Scutellum mostly with thin longitudinal costae only marrow median part with diffused sculpture, appears shiny ( Fig. 5 ). Metanotum with slight sculpture, rugulose or punctate. Propodeum with distinct sculpture. Propodeal spines medium length [PSL / HW: 0.33], wide at base, triangular, straight, with acute apex. Area above propodeal spines with transverse, thin costae, dorsal surface of spines with longitudinal costae, sides of propodeum with concentric costae only area close to base of spines distinctly mocroreticulate but without costae, interstices between costae distinctly microreticulate, shiny. Area between propodeal spines on sides with longitudinal costae, centrally with distinct microreticulation, area below spines with transverse costae. Anepisternum and katepisternum with longitudinal costae and microreticulated interspaces, only anterior and posterior corners of anepisternum with small smooth and shiny areas, and katepisternum close to ventral margin with diffused costae. Metaepisternum and metakatepisternum, with dense, longitudinal costae and microreticulate interspaces only metakatepisternum close to ventral margin with diffused microreticulation and partly shiny. Dorsal surface of mesosoma with sparse, erect, long, thick and pale setae ( Figs 5 , 6 ). Petiole and postpetiole. Shiny anteriorly, dorsal and lateral surface microreticulate with sparse longitudinally costae. Gaster. Smooth and shiny, first tergite on whole surface and rest of tergites posteriorly bearing moderately dense, long, erect setae and sparse, short adhering setae ( Figs 5 , 6 ).

Etymology.

Named after the historical Greek land of Messinia (Μεσσηνία), Peloponnese, where specimens from the type series were collected.

General distribution.

Greece: southern Ionian Islands and Peloponnese.

Biology.

Specimens of T. messiniaensis were collected from sunny localities in lowlands and highlands (8 - 670 m a.s.l). The species was noted in various habitats, most often on shrubs growing along roadsides and olive plantations, maquis, phrygana and forests (cypress, deciduous and mixed). We noted also its presence in a park in a centre of a city and, occasionally, in shrubs located in a pine forest located on a rocky hill. Nests were found inside dry stems of various herbs and shrubs. Colonies polygynous.

The following ant species were recorded in the same areas as Temnothorax messiniaensis :

For localities on Ionian Islands: Cephalonia: Avithos Lake, Katapodata, 1.5 NE of Koulourata ancient Same, rd. Skala-Poros, Zakynthos: 1 km N of Exo Chora, 1.2 km N of Vasilikos, 1.2 km NE of Anafonitria, 1.2 km SW of Skinaria, 1.8 km SW of Volimes, 1.9 km W of Maries, 470 m NE of Orthonies, 700 m SW of Koroni, 800 m SE of Xirokastello, 880 m S of Orthonies, Ag. Georgiou monastery, Ag. Joannis, Vrachionas Mts. and Peloponnese, Messinia, Taygetos Mts., 0.8 km SE of Exochori see Temnothorax brackoi .

Ionian Islands, Cephalonia, 1.6 km SW of Digaleto: Aphaenogaster balcanica (Emery), A. muelleriana Wolf, Camponotus aethiops (Latreille), C. dalmaticus (Nylander), Crematogaster schmidti (Mayr), Pheidole balcanica Seifert, Plagiolepis pygmaea (Latreille), Temnothorax bulgaricus (Forel), T. laconicus Csősz et al., T. rogeri Emery, T. strymonensis Csősz, Salata & Borowiec; Tetramorium kephalosi Salata & Borowiec; 1.8 km SW of Digaleto: Aphaenogaster balcanica (Emery), Camponotus aethiops (Latreille), C. dalmaticus (Nylander), Crematogaster sordidula (Nylander), Pheidole balcanica Seifert, Plagiolepis pygmaea (Latreille), Temnothorax laconicus Csősz et al., T. rogeri Emery; Kapandriti vicinity: Aphaenogaster balcanica (Emery), Camponotus dalmaticus (Nylander), C. gestroi Forel, C. kiesenwetteri (Roger), Colobopsis truncata (Spinola), Crematogaster schmidti (Mayr), Plagiolepis pygmaea (Latreille), Temnothorax leviceps (Emery); 800 m S of Kateleios: Camponotus dalmaticus (Nylander), C. lateralis (Olivier), Crematogaster schmidti (Mayr), C. sordidula (Nylander), Lasius alienus ( Förster), L. illyricus Zimmermann, Liometopum microcephalum (Panzer), Pheidole balcanica Seifert, Plagiolepis pygmaea (Latreille), Temnothorax graecus (Forel), T. leviceps (Emery), T. cf. unifasciatus ; Kremmidi: Aphaenogaster balcanica (Emery), Camponotus aethiops (Latreille), C. gestroi Forel, C. dalmaticus (Nylander), C. kiesenwetteri (Roger), Crematogaster schmidti (Mayr), C. sordidula (Nylander), Pheidole balcanica Seifert; Plagiolepis pygmaea (Latreille), Temnothorax bulgaricus (Forel), T. graecus (Forel), T. leviceps (Emery); Moni Aprilion: Aphaenogaster balcanica (Emery), Camponotus kiesenwetteri (Roger), Pheidole balcanica Seifert, Plagiolepis pygmaea (Latreille), Temnothorax rogeri Emery, T. strymonensis Csősz, Salata & Borowiec; 1.7 km NW of Pastra: Aphaenogaster balcanica (Emery), A. cf. epirotes , Bothriomyrmex communistus Santschi, Camponotus dalmaticus (Nylander), C. gestroi Forel, C. kiesenwetteri (Roger), C. lateralis (Olivier), Crematogaster schmidti (Mayr), C. sordidula (Nylander), Lepisiota frauenfeldi (Mayr), Messor wasmanni Krausse, Plagiolepis pygmaea (Latreille), Tetramorium kephalosi Salata & Borowiec; near Peratata: Aphaenogaster balcanica (Emery), A. muelleriana Wolf, Camponotus aethiops (Latreille), C. dalmaticus (Nylander), C. lateralis (Olivier), Crematogaster schmidti (Mayr), C. sordidula (Nylander), Lasius lasioides (Emery), Messor ibericus Santschi, Pheidole pallidula (Nylander), Plagiolepis pygmaea (Latreille), Temnothorax clypeatus (Mayr); Skala vicinity loc. 1: Aphaenogaster balcanica (Emery), Camponotus aethiops (Latreille), C. dalmaticus (Nylander), C. kiesenwetteri (Roger), Colobopsis truncata (Spinola), Crematogaster sordidula (Nylander), Plagiolepis pallescens Forel, P. pygmaea (Latreille), Proformica oculatissima (Forel) Temnothorax cf. exilis , Tetramorium kephalosi Salata & Borowiec; Skala vicinity loc. 2: Aphaenogaster balcanica (Emery), Camponotus dalmaticus (Nylander), C. kiesenwetteri (Roger), C. lateralis (Olivier), C. oertzeni Forel, Crematogaster schmidti (Mayr), C. sordidula (Nylander), Lasius alienus ( Förster), Plagiolepis pygmaea (Latreille), Temnothorax exilis Emery, Tetramorium kephalosi Salata & Borowiec.

Ionian Islands, Zakynthos, 1.2 km SE of Loucha: Aphaenogaster balcanica (Emery), A. cf. epirotes , Bothriomyrmex communista Santschi, Camponotus aethiops (Latreille), C. dalmaticus (Nylander), C. gestroi Emery, C. kiesenwetteri (Roger), C. lateralis (Olivier), Crematogaster schmidti (Mayr), Lepisiota frauenfeldi (Mayr), Messor wasmanni Krausse, Tapinoma erraticum (Latreille), Temnothorax bulgaricus (Forel), T. exilis (Emery), T. graecus (Forel), T. rogeri Emery, T. cf. tergestinus , Tetramorium diomedeum Emery; 1.4 km S of Lithakia: Aphaenogaster balcanica (Emery), Camponotus dalmaticus (Nylander), C. kiesenwetteri (Roger), C. oertzeni Forel, Crematogaster schmidti (Mayr), C. sordidula (Nylander), Lepisiota frauenfeldi (Mayr), L. melas (Emery), Messor wasmanni Krausse, Pheidole cf. pallidula , Plagiolepis pygmaea (Latreille), Temnothorax rogeri Emery, T. cf. tergestinus ; 330 m S of Stimies: Aphaenogaster balcanica (Emery), Bothriomyrmex communista Santschi, Camponotus kiesenwetteri (Roger), C. oertzeni Forel, Crematogaster schmidti (Mayr), C. sordidula (Nylander), Messor wasmanni Krausse, Pheidole cf. pallidula , Plagiolepis pygmaea (Latreille), Temnothorax exilis (Emery), T. graecus (Forel); 580 m SW of Lithakia: Aphaenogaster cf. epirotes , Camponotus aethiops (Latreille), C. dalmaticus (Nylander), C. gestroi Emery, C. kiesenwetteri (Roger), C. lateralis (Olivier), Crematogaster schmidti (Mayr), C. sordidula (Nylander), Messor ibericus Santschi, M. wasmanni Krausse, Plagiolepis pygmaea (Latreille), Temnothorax exilis (Emery), T. cf. tergestinus , Tetramorium diomedeum Emery; 600 m E of Ag. Leon: Aphaenogaster balcanica (Emery), A. muelleriana Wolf, Camponotus aethiops (Latreille), C. dalmaticus (Nylander), C. kiesenwetteri (Roger), C. lateralis (Olivier), Crematogaster schmidti (Mayr), Lepisiota frauenfeldi (Mayr), L. melas (Emery), Messor ibericus Santschi, M. wasmanni Krausse, Pheidole cf. pallidula , Plagiolepis pygmaea (Latreille), Temnothorax bulgaricus (Forel), T. rogeri Emery, T. cf. tergestinus , Tetramorium kephalosi Salata & Borowiec.

Peloponnese, Messinia, 2 km E of Kalamata: Aphaenogaster balcanica (Emery), A. cf. muelleriana , Camponotus gestroi Emery, C. ionius Emery, C. kiesenwetteri (Roger), C. laconicus Emery, C. lateralis (Olivier), Crematogaster schmidti (Mayr), C. sordidula (Nylander), Formica clara Forel, Lasius illyricus Zimmermann, L. lasioides (Emery), L. neglectus Van Loon, Boomsma & Andrasfalvy, Lepisiota frauenfeldi (Mayr), Messor wasmanni Krausse, Nylanderia jaegerskioeldi (Mayr), Pheidole pallidula (Nylander), Plagiolepis pygmaea (Latreille), Temnothorax graecus (Forel), T. cf. luteus , T. recedens (Nylander), T. rogeri Emery, Tetramorium cf. caespitum ; Egaleo Mts., 1.4 km S of Flesiada: Aphaenogaster balcanica (Emery), A. cf. muelleriana , Camponotus aethiops (Latreille), C. dalmaticus (Nylander), Crematogaster schmidti (Mayr), C. sordidula (Nylander), Lasius lasioides (Emery), Pheidole pallidula (Nylander), Plagiolepis pygmaea (Latreille), Tapinoma erraticum (Latreille), Temnothorax exilis (Emery), T. laconicus Csősz et al., T. morea Csősz, Salata & Borowiec; Kalamata, old centre: Aphaenogaster balcanica (Emery), Crematogaster schmidti (Mayr), Formica clara Forel, Lepisiota frauenfeldi (Mayr), L. melas (Emery), Messor hellenius Agosti & Collingwood, Pheidole pallidula (Nylander), Plagiolepis pygmaea (Latreille), Solenopsis cf. lusitanica , Temnothorax graecus (Forel), Tetramorium cf. hungaricum , Trichomyrmex perplexus Radchenko; Kalamata, railway park: Camponotus lateralis (Olivier), Crematogaster schmidti (Mayr), Formica clara Forel, Lasius illyricus Zimmermann, L. lasioides (Emery), L. neglectus Van Loon, Boomsma & Andrasfalvy, Messor wasmanni Krausse, Pheidole indica Mayr, Plagiolepis pygmaea (Latreille), Temnothorax graecus (Forel), Tetramorium cf. caespitum ; Kondovounia Mts., 0.8 km N of Koromilea: Aphaenogaster balcanica (Emery), A. cf. muelleriana , Camponotus dalmaticus (Nylander), C. gestroi Emery, C. laconicus Emery, C. lateralis (Olivier), Cataglyphis nodus ( Brullé), Crematogaster schmidti (Mayr), Lasius lasioides (Emery), Lepisiota frauenfeldi (Mayr), Pheidole pallidula (Nylander), Plagiolepis pygmaea (Latreille), Temnothorax cf. bulgaricus , T. exilis (Emery), T. laconicus Csősz et al., T. morea Csősz, Salata & Borowiec, T. recedens (Nylander); Taygetos Mts., 0.8 km W of Eleochori: Aphaenogaster balcanica (Emery), Camponotus gestroi Emery, C. ionius Emery, C. kiesenwetteri (Roger), Lepisiota nigra (Dalla Torre), Messor wasmanni Krausse, Pheidole pallidula (Nylander), Plagiolepis pygmaea (Latreille), Temnothorax exilis (Emery), Tetramorium kephalosi Salata & Borowiec.

Figures

Figures 3, 4. Worker of Temnothorax messiniaensis sp. nov. 3 Dorsal 4 Lateral.

Figures 5, 6. Gyne of Temnothorax messiniaensis sp. nov. 5 Dorsal 6 Lateral.

Figures 9 - 12. Head and antennae 9 Worker of Temnothorax brackoi sp. nov. 10 Worker of Temnothorax messiniaensis sp. nov. 11 Worker of Temnothorax turcicus (Santschi) 12 Gyne of Temnothorax messiniaensis sp. nov.

Figures 13 - 15. Head sculpture 13 Worker of Temnothorax brackoi sp. nov. 14 Worker of Temnothorax messiniaensis sp. nov. 15 Worker of Temnothorax turcicus (Santschi).