Temnothorax dongzhi, Qian & Xu, 2024

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 : 26-28

Temnothorax dongzhi sp. nov.

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Fig. 17

Diagnosis

According to the key, this new species is similar to T. leyeensis Zhou et al., 2010 ( Fig. 18 ), but differs in the new species head dorsum loosely longitudinally rugose on the central area, propodeal spines relatively shorter and suberect, and body color blackish brown, head and gaster black; in T. leyeensis head dorsum densely reticulate on the central area, propodeal spines relatively longer and posterodorsally pointed, and body color brownish yellow, head and gaster black. The new species is also similar to T. shuangjiang sp. nov. ( Fig. 34 ), but differs in the new species propodeal spines suberect and forming a right angle with propodeal dorsum in lateral view, pronotal sides coarsely rugose; in T. shuangjiang propodeal spines oblique and forming a blunt angle with propodeal dorsum in lateral view, pronotal sides reticulate. This new species is also similar to T. xia sp. nov. ( Fig. 35 ), but differs in the new species propodeal spines suberect and forming a right angle with propodeal dorsum in lateral view, dorsum of petiolar node narrowly rounded; in T. xia propodeal spines oblique and forming a very blunt angle with propodeal dorsum in lateral view, dorsum of petiolar node broadly rounded. Meanwhile, the new species is similar to T. xiaoman sp. nov. ( Fig. 37 ), but differs in the new species dorsum of mesonotum and propodeam weakly convex in lateral view, propodeal spines about three time as long as their basal width, dorsum of petiolar node narrowly rounded; in T. xiaoman dorsum of mesonotum and propodeam straight in lateral view, propodeal spines weakly longer than their basal width, dorsum of petiolar node bluntly angled.

Etymology

The specific epithet refers to ‘dongzhi’, one of the 24 Solar Terms of China.

Material examined

Holotype worker CHINA • Sichuan Province, Muli County, Xiamaidi Town, Xiaochanggou Village ; 27.776050° N, 101.216714° E; 2513 m a.s.l.; 28 Jul. 2018; Xin-Min Zhang leg.; canopy sample from Pinus yunnanensis forest; SWFU C18-962 .

Paratype worker CHINA • 1 worker; Sichuan Province, Danba County, Zhanggu Town, Gongcha Village ; 30.831517° N, 101.801936° E; 2050 m a.s.l.; 23 Aug. 2018; Cheng-Long Luo leg.; canopy sample from semi-evergreen broadleaf forest; SWFU A18-1498 .

Description

Measurements of holotype worker: TL 4.0, HL 0.88, HW 0.80, CI 91, SL 0.63, SI 79, ED 0.17, PW 0.57, WL 1.18, PL 0.47, PH 0.30, DPW 0.21.

In full-face view head roughly rectangular, slightly longer than broad, posterior margin slightly concave, posterior corners narrowly rounded, lateral margins weakly convex. Mandibles triangular, masticatory margin with 5 teeth. Clypeal dorsum weakly convex, with median carina, anterior margin moderately convex, narrowly notched in the middle. Frontal lobes broad, concealing antennal sockets. Frontal carinae short, reaching to the level of anterior eye margin. Antennae 12-segmented, scapes failing to reach posterior head margin by 1/5 of its length, antennal clubs 3-segmented. Eyes located slightly before midpoint of lateral head margin, occupying ¼ of lateral margin.

In lateral view pronotum almost straight and sloping down anteriorly, anterodorsal corner rightly angled. Promesonotal suture distinct on the sides. Mesonotum straight and gently sloping down posteriorly, weakly convex anteriorly. Metanotal groove absent. Propodeal dorsum straight and sloping down posteriorly, forming a very blunt angle with mesonotum; propodeal spines relatively short, suberect and slightly back-curved, about ½ length of declivity; declivity almost straight; propodeal lobes broad, truncated apically. Petiole with relatively long anterior peduncle, about ¾ length of petiolar node; petiolar node roughly triangular, anterior margin almost straight, posterior margin slightly convex, dorsal margin weakly convex, anterodorsal corner bluntly angled, posterodorsal corner narrowly rounded; ventral margin weakly concave, anteroventral corner bluntly toothed. Postpetiole slightly lower than petiolar node, anterior margin weakly convex, anterodorsal corner rounded, dorsal margin strongly convex, posterior margin weakly concave, ventral margin weakly concave.

In dorsal view pronotum broadest, anterior margin strongly convex, humeral corners very bluntly angled, lateral margins moderately convex. Promesonotal suture and metanotal groove absent. Mesothorax weakly constricted, lateral margins weakly concave. Propodeum roughly rectangular, lateral margins slightly convex, posterolateral corners bluntly angled; spines relatively short, pointed posterolaterally. Petiole roughly trapezoidal and widening posteriorly, longer than broad, lateral margins slightly convex. Postpetiole roughly trapezoidal and narrowing posteriorly, about 1.5 times as broad as petiole, anterolateral corners narrowly rounded, lateral margins weakly convex. Gaster elongate oval.

Mandibles longitudinally striate. Head dorsum loosely longitudinally rugose, gradually reticulate laterally with interface densely punctate. Clypeus smooth, each side with 4–5 oblique rugae. Mesosomal dorsum reticulate, sides coarsely longitudinally rugose; Propodeal sides obliquely rugose. Petiolar node finely reticulate, ventral face of petiole and postpetiole densely punctate, anterior face and dorsum of postpetiole smooth. Gaster smooth and shiny. Body dorsum with sparse erect to suberect apically blunt short hairs and sparse decumbent pubescence. Scapes and tibiae with dense decumbent pubescence. Body color blackish brown, head dorsum and gaster black.

Measurements of paratype worker: TL 3.3, HL 0.75, HW 0.68, CI 92, SL 0.60, SI 88, ED 0.16, PW 0.46, WL 0.94, PL 0.33, PH 0.25, DPW 0.18 (1 individual measured). As holotype worker

Ecological notes

This new species inhabits Pinus yunnanensis forest ( Fig. 69I ) and semi-evergreen broadleaf forest ( Fig. 69H ) at an elevation of 2050-2513 m, and forages arboreally.

Distribution

China: Sichuan.

Figures

Fig. 17. Temnothorax dongzhi sp. nov., holotype worker (SWFU C18-962). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view.

Fig. 18. Temnothorax leyeensis Zhou et al., 2010, holotype worker (GXNU0407356). A. Head in fullface view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view. Photos by Zhi-Lin Chen.

Fig. 34. Temnothorax shuangjiang sp. nov., holotype worker (SWFU A13-198). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view.

Fig. 35. Temnothorax xia sp. nov., holotype worker (SWFU A91-353). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view.

Fig. 37. Temnothorax xiaoman sp. nov., holotype worker (SWFU A97-4109). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view.

Fig. 69. Middle elevational vegetations. A. Pinus densata Masters forest (2750 m, Bomi, Tibet). B. Pinus armandi Franch. forest (2557 m, Qiaojia, Yunnan). C. Subalpine moist evergreen broadleaf forest (2500 m, Lushui, Yunnan). D. Conifer-broadleaf mixed forest (2500 m, Huaping, Yunnan). E. Moss evergreen broadleaf forest (2450 m. Cangyuan, Yunnan). F. Warm conifer forest (2230 m, Huili, Sichuan). G. Dry-warm valley shrubland (2230 m, Muli, Sichuan). H. Semi-evergreen broadleaf forest (2050 m, Danba, Sichuan). I. Pinus yunnanensis forest (2030 m, Huaping, Yunnan). Photos by Zheng-Hui Xu.