Temnothorax lixia, 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 : 42-44

Temnothorax lixia sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:3B5330F3-B584-414B-AB63-C011D07CB7F5

Fig. 28

Diagnosis

This new species is similar to T. chun sp. nov. ( Fig. 5 ), but differs in the new species propodeal spines straight in lateral view, petiolar node obviously dissymmetrical with anterodorsal corner bluntly angled and higher than posterodorsal corner, head dorsum densely longitudinally rugose, sides of pronotum reticulate; in T. chun propodeal spines weakly posteriorly curved in lateral view, petiolar node nearly symmetrical with anterodorsal corner narrowly rounded and as high as posterodorsal corner, head dorsum loosely longitudinally rugose, and sides of pronotum coarsely longitudinally rugose. The new species is also similar to T. dong sp. nov. ( Fig. 15 ), but differs in the new species propodeal spines shorter than half length of declivity in lateral view, petiolar node relatively thick with sloping dorsum, mesosomal sides coarsely reticulate; in T. dong propodeal spines longer than half length of declivity in lateral view, petiolar node relatively thin without obvious dorsum, mesosomal sides densely punctate.

Etymology

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

Material examined

Holotype worker CHINA • Sichuan Province, Kangding County, Pengta Town, Tongling Village ; 30.501231° N, 102.300811° E; 2450 m a.s.l.; 31 Aug. 2005; Zheng-Hui Xu leg.; Winkler sample from Pinus yunnanensis forest; SWFU A05-945 .

Paratype workers CHINA • 2 workers; same collection data as for holotype; SWFU A05-945 • 1 worker; same collection data as for holotype; 2500 m a.s.l.; 2 Sep. 2005; foraging on the ground; SWFU A05-869 .

Description

Measurements of holotype worker: TL 2.4, HL 0.62, HW 0.52, CI 84, SL 0.52, SI 100, ED 0.12, PW 0.38, WL 0.76, PL 0.25, PH 0.20, DPW 0.15.

In full-face view head roughly rectangular, longer than broad, posterior margin slightly convex, posterior corners broadly rounded, lateral margins weakly convex. Mandibles triangular, masticatory margin with 5 teeth. Clypeal dorsum weakly convex, without median carina, anterior margin straight in the middle. Frontal lobes narrow, concealing half of antennal sockets. Frontal carinae short, about as long as frontal lobes. Antennae 12-segmented, scapes almost reaching to posterior head margin, antennal clubs 3-segmented. Eyes located at midpoint of lateral head margin, occupying ¼ of lateral margin.

In lateral view promesonotum weakly convex and gently sloping down posteriorly, promesonotal suture and metanotal groove absent. Propodeal dorsum almost straight and gently sloping down posteriorly, slightly convex anteriorly and medially; propodeal spines short and triangular, as long as their basal width, about ½ length of declivity; declivity slightly concave; propodeal lobes short, rounded apically. Petiole with short anterior peduncle, about ⅔ length of petiolar node; petiolar node roughly triangular, anterior margin straight, posterior margin moderately convex, top corner narrowly rounded; ventral margin almost straight anteriorly, weakly concave posteriorly, anteroventral corner minutely toothed. Postpetiole as high as petiolar node, anterodorsal margin rounded, posterior margin almost straight, ventral margin moderately concave.

In dorsal view pronotum broadest, anterior margin moderately convex, humeral corners very broadly rounded, lateral margins strongly convex. Promesonotal suture and metanotal groove absent. Mesothorax weaklyly constricted, lateral margins weakly concave. Propodeum roughly rectangular, lateral margins almost straight; spines short, roughly triangular, pointed posterolaterally. Petiole roughly trapezoidal and widening posteriorly, longer than broad, lateral margins slightly convex. Postpetiole roughly trapezoidal and narrowing posteriorly, about 1.4 times as broad as petiole, anterolateral corners narrowly rounded, lateral margins weakly convex. Gaster elongate oval.

Mandibles longitudinally striate. Head dorsum densely longitudinally rugose, gradually reticulate posteriorly and laterally with interface densely punctate. Clypeus smooth, each side with 2–3 longitudinal rugae. Mesosoma reticulate; pronotal sides coarsely reticulate; mesopleura and upper part of metapleura finely reticulate; lower part of metapleura longitudinally rugose; propodeal sides, petiolar dorsum and postpetiolar dorsum densely puncate; petiolar sides and postpetiolar sides finely reticulate. Gaster smooth and shiny. Body dorsum with sparse erect to suberect apically blunt short hairs and sparse decumbent pubescence; hairs on head and gaster relatively abundant. Scapes and tibiae with dense decumbent pubescence. Body color black; mandibles, antennae and legs brownish yellow, scapes and femora blackish brown.

Measurements of paratype workers: TL 2.3–2.5, HL 0.60–0.63, HW 0.50–0.55, CI 83–88, SL 0.48–0.50, SI 86–100, ED 0.08–0.10, PW 0.35–0.36, WL 0.70–0.75, PL 0.25–0.30, PH 0.18–0.20, PNW 0.10–0.13 (3 individuals measured). As holotype worker.

Ecological notes

This new species inhabits Pinus yunnanensis forest ( Fig. 69I ) at an elevation of 2450–2500 m, and forages on the ground.

Distribution

China: Sichuan.

Figures

Fig. 28. Temnothorax lixia sp. nov., holotype worker (SWFU A05-869). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view.

Fig. 5. Temnothorax chun sp. nov., holotype worker (SWFU A13-38). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view.

Fig. 15. Temnothorax dong sp. nov., holotype worker (SWFU A99-428). 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.