Key to Leptothorax and Temnothorax of China

Preliminary key to the known Chinese species of Leptothorax and Temnothorax based on worker caste, based on Qian & Xu (2024) with modifications from Wei et al. (2024).

1

Median clypeal dorsum weakly longitudinally depressed, without median carina. Antennae 11-segmented (Leptothorax) (Figs 45A, 46A, 47A) => 2
Median clypeal dorsum weakly longitudinally convex, with or without median carina. Antennae usually 12-segmented, rarely 11-segmented then median clypeal dorsum weakly longitudinally convex and with median carina (Temnothorax) (Figs 1A, 3A, 4A) => 5

Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 45. Leptothorax acervorum (Fabricius, 1793), syntype worker (ZMUC). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view. Images cited from www.antweb.org, CASENT 0912889, photos by Zach Lieberman.
Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 46. Leptothorax muscorum (Nylander, 1846), worker (ZMHF). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view. Images cited from www.antweb.org, CASENT 0104847, photos by April Nobile.
Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 47. Leptothorax tibeticum Seifert, 2023, holotype worker (SMNG). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view. Images cited from Seifert (2023), photos by Bernhard Seifert.
Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 1. Temnothorax mongolicus (Pisarski, 1969), paratype worker (MIZW). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view. Images cited from www.antweb.org, CASENT 0916693, photos by Flavia Esteves.
Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 3. Temnothorax bailu Qian & Xu, 2024, holotype worker (SWFU A10-3265). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view.
Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 4. Temnothorax angulohumerus Zhou et al., 2010, holotype worker (GXNU0407358). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view. Photos by Zhi-Lin Chen.

2

return to couplet #1

In lateral view anterior and posterior faces of petiolar node meet at an acute angle, the node is sharply triangular [Palearctic Region: China: Jilin; Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Russian Federation (type locality)] (Fig. 44) => Leptothorax oceanicus
In lateral view anterior and dorsal faces of petiolar node meet at a rounded blunt angle, the node has a distinct, often rounded dorsal plate (Figs 45B, 46B, 47B) => 3

Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 44. Leptothorax oceanicus (Kuznetsov-Ugamsky, 1928), worker (ZMUM). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. Illustrations cited from Radchenko & Heinze (1997).
Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 45. Leptothorax acervorum (Fabricius, 1793), syntype worker (ZMUC). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view. Images cited from www.antweb.org, CASENT 0912889, photos by Zach Lieberman.
Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 46. Leptothorax muscorum (Nylander, 1846), worker (ZMHF). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view. Images cited from www.antweb.org, CASENT 0104847, photos by April Nobile.
Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 47. Leptothorax tibeticum Seifert, 2023, holotype worker (SMNG). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view. Images cited from Seifert (2023), photos by Bernhard Seifert.

3

return to couplet #2

Tibiae and antennal scape with numerous standing hairs [Nearctic Region: United States. Palearctic & Oriental Regions: China: Qinghai, Sichuan and Yunnan; Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Denmark (type locality), Estonia, Finland, France (type locality), Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iberian Peninsula, Iran, India, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mongolia, Netherlands, Norway, Pakistan, Poland, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland] (Fig. 45) => Leptothorax acervorum
Tibiae and antennal scape without standing hairs, with decumbent pilosity only => 4

Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 45. Leptothorax acervorum (Fabricius, 1793), syntype worker (ZMUC). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view. Images cited from www.antweb.org, CASENT 0912889, photos by Zach Lieberman.

4

return to couplet #3

Head dorsum mainly reticulate. In lateral view body dorsum with very sparse suberect hairs. Propodeal spines relatively shorter, shorter than half of declivity. Postpetiolar node not inclining anteriorly. In dorsal view promesonotum finely reticulate. Head and gaster blackish brown [Palearctic Region: China: Xinjiang; Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland (type locality), France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iberian Peninsula, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mongolia, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine] (Fig. 46) => Leptothorax muscorum
Head dorsum mainly longitudinally rugose. In lateral view body dorsum with abundant suberect hairs. Propodeal spines relatively longer, longer than half of declivity. Postpetiolar node inclining anteriorly. In dorsal view promesonotum coarsely reticulate. Head and gaster black [Palearctic Region: China: Qinghai] (Fig. 47) => Leptothorax tibeticum

Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 46. Leptothorax muscorum (Nylander, 1846), worker (ZMHF). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view. Images cited from www.antweb.org, CASENT 0104847, photos by April Nobile.
Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 47. Leptothorax tibeticum Seifert, 2023, holotype worker (SMNG). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view. Images cited from Seifert (2023), photos by Bernhard Seifert.

5

return to couplet #1

Antennae 11-segmented [Palearctic Region: China: Hubei; Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Japan, Republic of Korea (type locality)] (Fig. 48) => Temnothorax koreanus
Antennae 12-segmented => 6

Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 48. Temnothorax koreanus (Teranishi, 1940), worker. A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view. Images cited from www.antweb.org, CASENT 0906181, photos by Estella Ortega.

6

return to couplet #5

Posterodorsal corner of propodeum rounded in lateral view (Figs 49B, 50B) => 7
Posterodorsal corner of propodeum rightly angled (Figs 19B, 20B), toothed (Figs 27B, 38B) or spined (Figs 23B, 24B) in lateral view => 8

Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 49. Temnothorax hengshanensis (Huang et al., 2004), holotype worker (GXNU0303217). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view. Photos by Zhi-Lin Chen.
Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 50. Temnothorax leimu Terayama, 2009, holotype worker (NIAS). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view. Images cited from www.antwiki.org, photos by Hiraku Yoshitake & Takashi Kurihara.
Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 19. Temnothorax guyu Qian & Xu, 2024, holotype worker (SWFU A91-945). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view.
Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 20. Temnothorax desioi (Menozzi, 1939), syntype worker (MSNM). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view. Images cited from www.antweb.org, CASENT 0904558, photos by Will Ericson.
Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 27. Temnothorax liqiu Qian & Xu, 2024, holotype worker (SWFU C18-795). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view.
Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 38. Temnothorax xiaoshu Qian & Xu, 2024, holotype worker (SWFU A99-24). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view.
Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 23. Temnothorax lichun Qian & Xu, 2024, holotype worker (SWFU A10-1994). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view.
Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 24. Temnothorax taivanensis (Wheeler, 1929), worker (MCZC). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. Illustrations cited from Radchenko (2004).

7

return to couplet #6

Posterior head margin moderately convex. Posterodorsal corner of propodeum narrowly rounded in lateral view. Petiolar node roughly triangular and without obvious dorsal margin [Oriental Region: China: Hunan, Yunnan] (Fig. 49) => Temnothorax hengshanensis
Posterior head margin slightly convex. Posterodorsal corner of propodeum broadly rounded in lateral view. Petiolar node roughly trapezoidal and with obvious dorsal margin [Oriental Region: China: Taiwan (type locality)] (Fig. 50) => Temnothorax leimu

Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 49. Temnothorax hengshanensis (Huang et al., 2004), holotype worker (GXNU0303217). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view. Photos by Zhi-Lin Chen.
Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 50. Temnothorax leimu Terayama, 2009, holotype worker (NIAS). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view. Images cited from www.antwiki.org, photos by Hiraku Yoshitake & Takashi Kurihara.

8

return to couplet #6

Posterodorsal corner of propodeum rightly to bluntly angled in lateral view, if very shortly toothed then the teeth obviously shorter than their basal width => 9
Posterodorsal corner of propodeum toothed or spined in lateral view, the teeth or spines obviously longer than their basal width => 18

9

return to couplet #8

Anterior margin of petiolar node almost straight in lateral view => 10
Anterior margin of petiolar node obviously concave in lateral view => 13

10

return to couplet #9

Head dorsum smooth on the central longitudinal strip => 11
Head dorsum reticulate or reticulate with loose longitudinal rugae on the central longitudinal strip => 12

11

return to couplet #10

Head dorsum loosely rugose laterally. Dorsum of mesonotum and propodeum straight in lateral view. Posterodorsal corner of propodeum bluntly angled. Top of petiolar node acute [Palearctic and Oriental Regions: China: Tibet; India (type locality), Pakistan] (Fig. 20) => Temnothorax desioi
Head dorsum densely reticulate laterally. Dorsum of mesonotum and propodeum weakly convex in lateral view. Posterodorsal corner of propodeum rightly angled. Top of petiolar node narrowly rounded [Oriental Region: China: Sichuan and Yunnan] (Fig. 19) => Temnothorax guyu

Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 20. Temnothorax desioi (Menozzi, 1939), syntype worker (MSNM). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view. Images cited from www.antweb.org, CASENT 0904558, photos by Will Ericson.
Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 19. Temnothorax guyu Qian & Xu, 2024, holotype worker (SWFU A91-945). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view.

12

return to couplet #10

Head dorsum coarsely reticulate on the central area. Sides of mesosoma coarsely reticulate. Posterodorsal corner of propodeum rightly angled in lateral view. Body color reddish brown, head blackish brown [Palearctic and Oriental Region: China: Tibet, Yunnan] (Fig. 12) => Temnothorax dashu
Head dorsum densely reticulate with loose longitudinal rugae on the central area. Sides of mesosoma finely reticulate. Posterodorsal corner of propodeum bluntly angled in lateral view. Body color light yellow [Oriental Region: China: Sichuan, Yunnan] (Fig. 43) => Temnothorax yushui

Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 12. Temnothorax dashu Qian & Xu, 2024, holotype worker (SWFU A13-479). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view.
Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 43. Temnothorax yushui Qian & Xu, 2024, holotype worker (SWFU C18-1446). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view.

13

return to couplet #9

Metanotal groove present and weakly concave in lateral view => 14
Metanotal groove absent in lateral view => 15

14

return to couplet #13

Head dorsum almost smooth on the central longitudinal strip. Mesopleura reticulate. Petiolar node relatively shorter in lateral view, about 1.5 times as long anterior peduncle. Body color blackish brown [Oriental Region: China: Guangxi (type locality)] (Fig. 9) => Temnothorax maoerensis
Head dorsum densely reticulate on the central longitudinal strip. Mesopleura densely punctate. Petiolar node relatively longer in lateral view, about twice as long as anterior peduncle. Body color brownish yellow [Oriental Region: China: Sichuan, Yunnan] (Fig. 8) => Temnothorax chushu

Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 9. Temnothorax maoerensis Zhou et al., 2010, holotype worker (GXNU). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view. Photos by Zhi-Lin Chen.
Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 8. Temnothorax chushu Qian & Xu, 2024, holotype worker (SWFU A99-29). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view.

15

return to couplet #13

Head dorsum wholly smooth [Oriental Region: China: Yunnan] (Fig. 6) => Temnothorax chunfen
Head dorsum coarsely or finely longitudinally rugose on the central area => 16

Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 6. Temnothorax chunfen Qian & Xu, 2024, holotype worker (SWFU A04-713). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view.

16

return to couplet #15

Head dorsum coarsely longitudinally rugose on the central area. Dorsum of pronotum longitudinally rugose. Dorsum of mesonotum and propodeum weakly convex in lateral view [Palearctic and Oriental Regions: China: Beijing, Guangxi, Yunnan; Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Japan (type locality), Republic of Korea, Russian Federation] (Fig. 7) => Temnothorax congruus
Head dorsum finely longitudinally rugose on the central area. Dorsum of pronotum finely reticulate. Dorsum of mesonotum and propodeum straight in lateral view => 17

Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 7. Temnothorax congruus (Smith, 1874), holotype worker (BMNH 1014987). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view. Images cited from www.antweb.org, CASENT 0901786, photos by Ryan Perry.

17

return to couplet #16

Head dorsum without punctate sculpture between the longitudinal rugae on the central area. Posterodorsal corner of propodeum more acutely angled in lateral view. Petiolar node relatively shorter with narrowly rounded dorsum. Body color black [Oriental Region: China: Yunnan] (Fig. 22) => Temnothorax jingzhe
Head dorsum densely punctate between the longitudinal rugae on the central area. Posterodorsal corner of propodeum rightly angled in lateral view. Petiolar node relatively longer with broadly rounded dorsum. Body color reddish brown, head and gaster black [Oriental Region: China: Yunnan] (Fig. 29) => Temnothorax mangzhong

Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 22. Temnothorax jingzhe Qian & Xu, 2024, holotype worker (SWFU A12-1144). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view.
Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 29. Temnothorax mangzhong Qian & Xu, 2024, holotype worker (SWFU A99-100). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view.

18

return to couplet #8

Humeral corners of pronotum protruding, rightly to bluntly angled in dorsal view => 19
Humeral corners of pronotum rounded in dorsal view => 21

19

return to couplet #18

Humeral corners of pronotum bluntly angled in dorsal view. Dorsum of petiolar node sloping down posteriorly. Body color blackish brown, head and gaster black [Palearctic and Oriental Regions: China: Sichuan, Tibet, Yunnan] (Fig. 3) => Temnothorax bailu
Humeral corners of pronotum rightly angled in dorsal view. Dorsum of petiolar node almost horizontal. Body color yellowish brown, head and gaster blackish brown => 20

Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 3. Temnothorax bailu Qian & Xu, 2024, holotype worker (SWFU A10-3265). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view.

20

return to couplet #19

In full-face view antennal scapes surpassing posterior head margin. Pronotum strongly convex in lateral view. Propodeal spines about 2 times as long as their basal width in lateral view, tips slightly curved posterodorsally [Palearctic and Oriental Regions: China: Guangxi, Guizhou, Hunan, Tibet, Yunnan] (Fig. 4) => Temnothorax angulohumerus
In full-face view antennal scapes falled to reach posterior head margin. Pronotum weakly convex in lateral view. Propodeal spines about 1.2 times as long as their basal width in lateral view, tips strongly curved posteriorly [Oriental Region: China: Guangxi, Sichuan and Yunnan] (Fig. 51) => Temnothorax orchidus

Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 4. Temnothorax angulohumerus Zhou et al., 2010, holotype worker (GXNU0407358). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view. Photos by Zhi-Lin Chen.
Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 51. Temnothorax orchidus Zhou et al., 2010, holotype worker (GXNU0804431). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view. Photos by Zhi-Lin Chen.

21

return to couplet #18

Metanotal groove present and obviously impressed in lateral view => 22
Metanotal groove absent in lateral view => 28

22

return to couplet #21

Propodeal spines shorter than declivity in lateral view => 23
Propodeal spines about as long as declivity in lateral view => 24

23

return to couplet #22

Head dorsum and mesosoma finely reticulate.Petiolar node roughly trapezoidal with broadly rounded dorsum in lateral view. Body color reddish brown, head blackish brown [Oriental Region: China: Sichuan, Yunnan] (Fig. 27) => Temnothorax liqiu
Head dorsum and mesosoma coarsely reticulate. Petiolar node roughly conical with narrowly rounded dorsum in lateral view. Body color orange, gaster blackish brown [Oriental Region: China: Yunnan] (Fig. 38) => Temnothorax xiaoshu

Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 13. Temnothorax daxue Qian & Xu, 2024, holotype worker (SWFU A3245). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view.
Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 38. Temnothorax xiaoshu Qian & Xu, 2024, holotype worker (SWFU A99-24). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view.

24

return to couplet #22

In lateral view petiolar node triangular with rightly angled summiTemnothorax Body color yellow [Oriental Region: China: Hong Kong (type locality)] (Fig. 52) => Temnothorax haveni
In lateral view petiolar node roughly trapezoidal with broadly rounded dorsum or roughly conical with narrowly rounded dorsum => 25

Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 52. Temnothorax haveni Lee et al., 2023, holotype worker (ZRC). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view. Images cited from Hamer et al. (2023), photos by Matthew T. Hamer et al.

25

return to couplet #24

In lateral view petiolar node roughly trapezoidal with broadly rounded dorsum [Oriental Region: China: Yunnan] (Fig. 23) => Temnothorax lichun
In lateral view petiolar node roughly conical with narrowly rounded dorsum => 26

Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 23. Temnothorax lichun Qian & Xu, 2024, holotype worker (SWFU A10-1994). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view.

26

return to couplet #25

Anterior margin of petiolar node weakly concave in lateral view. Head dorsum coarsely reticulate [Oriental Region: China: Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Hunan, Taiwan, Yunnan] (Fig. 24) => Temnothorax taivanensis
Anterior margin of petiolar node deeply concave in lateral view. Head dorsum finely reticulate or densely punctate with loose longitudinal rugae => 27

Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 24. Temnothorax taivanensis (Wheeler, 1929), worker (MCZC). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. Illustrations cited from Radchenko (2004).

27

return to couplet #26

Anterior peduncle about as long as petiolar node in lateral view. Head dorsum densely punctate with loose longitudinal rugae. Body color brownish yellow, head blackish brown, gaster black [Oriental Region: China: Taiwan (type locality)] (Fig. 53) => Temnothorax leigong
Anterior peduncle shorter than petiolar node in lateral view. Head dorsum finely reticulate. Body color blackish brown, gaster black [Oriental Region: China: Taiwan (type locality)] (Fig. 54) => Temnothorax kuixing

Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 53. Temnothorax leigong Terayama, 2009, holotype worker (NIAS). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view. Images cited from www.antwiki.org, photos by Hiraku Yoshitake & Takashi Kurihara.
Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 54. Temnothorax kuixing Terayama, 2009, holotype worker (NIAS). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view. Images cited from www.antwiki.org, photos by Hiraku Yoshitake & Takashi Kurihara.

28

return to couplet #21

Propodeal spines as long as or longer than declivity in lateral view => 29
Propodeal spines shorter than declivity in lateral view => 42

29

return to couplet #28

In lateral view petiolar node asymmetrical, posterior margin more convex than anterior margin => 30
In lateral view petiolar node symmetrical, posterior margin as convex as anterior margin => 35

30

return to couplet #29

Dorsum of mesonotum and propodeum straight in lateral view. Anterior peduncle as long as petiolar node [Oriental Region: China: Taiwan (type locality)] (Fig. 55) => Temnothorax confucii
Dorsum of mesonotum and propodeum weakly convex in lateral view. Anterior peduncle shorter than petiolar node => 31

Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 55. Temnothorax confucii (Forel, 1912), syntype worker (MHNG). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view. Images cited from www.antweb.org, CASENT 0909164, photos by Will Ericson.

31

return to couplet #30

Head dorsum densely reticulate. In lateral view anterior margin of petiolar node straight [Oriental Region: China: Guangxi, Henan, Zhejiang] (Fig. 56) => Temnothorax zhejiangensis
Head dorsum loosely reticulate. In lateral view anterior margin of petiolar node weakly concave => 32

Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 56. Temnothorax zhejiangensis Zhou et al., 2010, holotype worker (GXNU075326). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view. Photos by Zhi-Lin Chen.

32

return to couplet #31

Head dorsum mainly reticulate on the central area. In lateral view petiolar node relatively lower with anterior margin obviously shorter than posterior margin => 33
Head dorsum mainly longitudinally rugose on the central area. In lateral view petiolar node relatively higher with anterior margin about as long as posterior margin => 34

33

return to couplet #32

Dorsal outline of mesosoma weakly convex in lateral view. Mesosomal dorsum coarsely reticulate [Palearctic Region: China: Jiangsu; Democratic People’s Republic of Korea] (Fig. 57) => Temnothorax xanthos
Dorsal outline of mesosoma moderately convex in lateral view. Mesosomal dorsum finely reticulate [Oriental Region: China: Guizhou, Hunan, Zhejiang] (Fig. 58) => Temnothorax ruginosus

Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 57. Temnothorax xanthos Radchenko, 2004, holotype worker (MIZW). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view. Images cited from www.antweb.org, CASENT 0917212, photos by Kate Martynova.
Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 58. Temnothorax ruginosus Zhou et al., 2010, holotype worker (GXNU0407357). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view. Photos by Zhi-Lin Chen.

34

return to couplet #32

Head dorsum coarsely longitudinally rugose on the central area. Mesosomal dorsum densely reticulate. Body color yellowish brown, head blackish brown [Palearctic Region: China: Qinghai; Russian Federation (type locality)] (Fig. 59) => Temnothorax volgensis
Head dorsum finely longitudinally rugose on the central area. Mesosomal dorsum loosely reticulate. Body color brownish yellow, head and gaster blackish brown [Palearctic and Oriental Regions: China: Beijing, Gansu, Inner Mongolia, Jilin, Ningxia, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Yunnan] (Fig. 60) => Temnothorax reticulatus

Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 59. Temnothorax volgensis (Ruzsky, 1905), neotype worker (SIZK). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view. Images cited from www.antweb.org, CASENT 0917440, photos by Kate Martynova.
Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 60. Temnothorax reticulatus (Chang & He, 2001), holotype worker (NXU 98-610). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view.

35

return to couplet #29

Dorsum of mesonotum and propodeum weakly to moderately convex in lateral view => 36
Dorsum of mesonotum and propodeum straight in lateral view => 38

36

return to couplet #35

Head dorsum reticulate on the central longitudinal strip [Oriental Region: China: Yunnan] (Fig. 21) => Temnothorax hanlu
Head dorsum smooth on the central longitudinal strip => 37

Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 21. Temnothorax hanlu Qian & Xu, 2024, holotype worker (SWFU A19-7128). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view.

37

return to couplet #36

Dorsum of mesonotum and propodeum moderately convex in lateral view. Propodeal spines stout and straight at base, weakly up-curving at apex [Palearctic and Oriental Regions: China: Jiangxi (type locality); Democratic People’s Republic of Korea] (Fig. 14) => Temnothorax eburneipes
Dorsum of mesonotum and propodeum weakly convex in lateral view. Propodeal spines slender and evenly curving posteriorly [Oriental Region: China: Yunnan] (Fig. 13) => Temnothorax daxue

Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 14. Temnothorax eburneipes (Wheeler, 1927), syntype worker (MCZC). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. Illustrations cited from Radchenko (2004).
Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 13. Temnothorax daxue Qian & Xu, 2024, holotype worker (SWFU A3245). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view.

38

return to couplet #35

Head dorsum smooth on the central longitudinal strip [Oriental Region: China: Sichuan, Yunnan] (Fig. 25) => Temnothorax lidong'
Head dorsum longitudinally rugose or reticulate on the central longitudinal strip => 39

Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 25. Temnothorax lidong Qian & Xu, 2024, holotype worker (SWFU C18-230). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view.

39

return to couplet #38

Anterior margin of petiolar node almost straight in lateral view => 40
Anterior margin of petiolar node obviously concave in lateral view => 41

40

return to couplet #39

Head dorsum mainly longitudinally rugose. Body color brownish black [Oriental Region: China: Taiwan (type locality)] (Fig. 26) => Temnothorax yanwan
Head dorsum coarsely reticulate. Body color yellow [Oriental Region: China: Hong Kong (type locality)] (Fig. 61) => Temnothorax barrettoi

Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 26. Temnothorax yanwan Terayama, 2009, holotype worker (NIAS). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view. Images cited from www.antwiki.org, photos by Hiraku Yoshitake & Takashi Kurihara.
Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 61. Temnothorax barrettoi Hamer & Guénard, 2023, holotype worker (ZRC). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view. Images cited from Hamer et al. (2023), photos by Matthew T. Hamer et al.

41

return to couplet #39

Head dorsum loosely reticulate, interface relatively smooth. Propodeal spines straight in lateral view [Palearctic and Oriental Regions: China: Fujian, Gansu, Hubei, Sichuan] (Fig. 62) => Temnothorax reduncus
Head dorsum mainly longitudinally rugose, interface densely punctate. Propodeal spines weakly down-curved at base in lateral view [Oriental Region: China: Taiwan (type locality)] (Fig. 63) => Temnothorax tianpeng

Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 62. Temnothorax reduncus (Wang & Wu, 1988), holotype worker (CAF). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view.
Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 63. Temnothorax tianpeng Terayama, 2009, holotype worker (NIAS). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view. Images cited from www.antwiki.org, photos by Hiraku Yoshitake & Takashi Kurihara.

42

return to couplet #28

In lateral view, the most concave point at the junction of propodeal spine and propodeal base to mesonotum strongly straight (Fig. 4a) => 43
In lateral view, the most concave point at the junction of propodeal spine and propodeal base to mesonotum not straight, usually arcuate in centre and rarely slightly depressed at junction with propodeal spine (Figs. 4b–d) => 55

Wei et al. (2024), Fig. 4. Lateral view of Temnothorax workers: a) Temnothorax xiaoxue, b) Temnothorax leyeensis, c) Temnothorax dongzhi, d) Temnothorax gui. Images a–c cited from Qian & Xu (2024).

43

return to couplet #42

Anterior margin of petiolar node almost straight in lateral view => 44
Anterior margin of petiolar node obviously concave in lateral view => 48

44

return to couplet #43

Head dorsum smooth on the central longitudinal strip => 45
Head dorsum longitudinally rugose on the central longitudinal strip => 46

45

return to couplet #44

Head dorsum wholly smooth. Petiolar node roughly conical with narrowly rounded summit in lateral view [Palearctic Region: China: Tibet] (Fig. 30) => Temnothorax qingming
Head dorsum smooth on the central longitudinal strip. Petiolar node roughly triangular with acute summit in lateral view [Palearctic and Oriental Regions: China: Beijing, Hebei, Hunan, Sichuan, Yunnan] (Fig. 31) => Temnothorax wui

Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 30. Temnothorax qingming Qian & Xu, 2024, holotype worker (SWFU A07-56). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view.
Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 31. Temnothorax wui (Wheeler, 1929), syntype worker (MCZC). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. Illustrations cited from Radchenko (2004).

46

return to couplet #44

In lateral view petiolar node roughly trapezoidal, with obvious posterodorsal corner. Body color reddish brown [Oriental Region: China: Yunnan] (Fig. 39) => Temnothorax xiaoxue
In lateral view petiolar node roughly triangular, without obvious posterodorsal corner. Body color yellowish brown => 47

Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 39. Temnothorax xiaoxue Qian & Xu, 2024, holotype worker (SWFU A00436). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view.

47

return to couplet #46

In full-face view head dorsum mainly longitudinally rugose, the rugae almost reaching to posterior head margin. Sides of pronotum coarsely reticulate [Palearctic and Oriental Regions: China: Henan, Hubei, Ningxia, Sichuan, Yunnan] (Fig. 40) => Temnothorax striatus
In full-face view head dorsum longitudinally rugose in the anterior half and reticulate in the posterior half. Sides of pronotum longitudinally rugose [Palearctic Region: China: Shaanxi] (Fig. 64) => Temnothorax shannxiensis

Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 40. Temnothorax striatus holotype worker (GXNU084432). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view. Photos by Zhi-Lin Chen.
Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 64. Temnothorax shannxiensis Zhou et al., 2010, holotype worker (GXNU056481). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view. Photos by Zhi-Lin Chen.

48

return to couplet #43

In lateral view petiolar node roughly trapezoidal, with obvious posterodorsal corner => 49
In lateral view petiolar node roughly triangular, without obvious posterodorsal corner => 51

49

return to couplet #48

In lateral view petiolar node asymmetrical, anterodorsal corner higher than posterodorsal corner [Oriental Region China: Sichuan] (Fig. 28) => Temnothorax lixia
In lateral view petiolar node symmetrical, anterodorsal corner as high as posterodorsal corner => 50

Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 28. Temnothorax lixia Qian & Xu, 2024, holotype worker (SWFU A05-869). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view.

50

return to couplet #49

Head dorsum loosely longitudinally rugose on the central area. Mesonotal dorsum smooth. Body color almost black [Oriental Region: China: Yunnan] (Fig. 5) => Temnothorax chun
Head dorsum densely longitudinally rugose on the central area. Mesonotal dorsum coarsely reticulate. Body color reddish brown, gaster black [Palearctic and Oriental Regions: China: Tibet, Yunnan] (Fig. 35) => Temnothorax xia

Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 5. Temnothorax chun Qian & Xu, 2024, holotype worker (SWFU A13-38). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view.
Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 35. Temnothorax xia Qian & Xu, 2024, holotype worker (SWFU A91-353). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view.

51

return to couplet #48

Anterior peduncle about as long as petiolar node in lateral view => 52
Anterior peduncle obviously shorter than petiolar node in lateral view => 53

52

return to couplet #51

Head dorsum coarsely reticulate on the central area. Propodeal spines slender and much longer than their basal width in lateral view. Body color reddish brown, head and gaster black [Palearctic and Oriental Regions: China: Beijing, Fujian, Guangxi, Hebei, Henan, Jiangxi, Liaoning, Ningxia, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan] (Fig. 42) => Temnothorax argentipes
Head dorsum densely longitudinally rugose on the central area. Propodeal spines roughly triangular and slightly longer than their basal width in lateral view. Body color brownish black, gaster black [Oriental Region: China: Yunnan] (Fig. 41) => Temnothorax xiazhi

Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 42. Temnothorax argentipes (Wheeler, 1928), worker (MCZC). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. Illustrations cited from Radchenko (2004).
Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 41. Temnothorax xiazhi Qian & Xu, 2024, holotype worker (SWFU A04-1198). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view.

53

return to couplet #51

Propodeal spines thin and smaller, not forming a curve with declivity in lateral view. Anterodorsal corner of petiolar node bluntly angled. Pronotal dorsum coarsely reticulate [Palearctic Region: China: Shaanxi] (Fig. 37) => Temnothorax xiaoman
Propodeal spines thick and larger, forming a curve with declivity in lateral view. Anterodorsal corner of petiolar node narrowly rounded. Pronotal dorsum finely reticulate => 54

Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 37. Temnothorax xiaoman Qian & Xu, 2024, holotype worker (SWFU A97-4109). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view.

54

return to couplet #53

Sides of mesosoma coarsely reticulate. Body color reddish brown, head and gaster brownish black [Palearctic Region: China: Tibet] (Fig. 36) => Temnothorax xiaohan
Sides of mesosoma finely reticulate. Body color brownish black, head and gaster black [Palearctic and Oriental Regions: China: Sichuan, Qinghai] (Fig. 33) => Temnothorax qiufen

Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 36. Temnothorax xiaohan Qian & Xu, 2024, holotype worker (SWFU A07-543). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view.
Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 33. Temnothorax qiufen Qian & Xu, 2024, holotype worker (SWFU A18-972). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view.

55

return to couplet #42

Head dorsum smooth on the central longitudinal strip [Palearctic Region: China: Tibet; Kyrgyzstan (type locality)] (Fig. 65) => Temnothorax susamyri
Head dorsum longitudinally rugose or reticulate on the central longitudinal strip => 56

Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 65. Temnothorax susamyri (Dlussky, 1965), paratype worker (ZMUM). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view. Images cited from www.antweb.org, CASENT 0917448, photos by Kate Martynova.

56

return to couplet #55

Anterior margin of petiolar node obviously concave in lateral view => 57
Anterior margin of petiolar node almost straight in lateral view => 60

57

return to couplet #56

Anterodorsal corner of petiolar node rightly angled in lateral view => 58
Anterodorsal corner of petiolar node narrowly rounded in lateral view => 59

58

return to couplet #57

Head dorsum longitudinally rugose on the central area. Body color brownish black [Oriental Region: China: Taiwan (type locality)] (Fig. 16) => Temnothorax huatuo
Head dorsum densely reticulate on the central area. Body color black [Oriental Region: China: Yunnan] (Fig. 15) => Temnothorax dong

Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 16. Temnothorax huatuo Terayama, 2009, holotype worker (NIAS). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view. Images cited from www.antwiki.org, photos by Hiraku Yoshitake & Takashi Kurihara.
Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 15. Temnothorax dong Qian & Xu, 2024, holotype worker (SWFU A99-428). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view.

59

return to couplet #57

Head dorsum parallelly longitudinally rugose on the central area. Mesosoma densely reticulate [Oriental Region: China: Sichuan, Yunnan] (Fig. 32) => Temnothorax qiu
Head dorsum irregualarly longitudinally rugose on the central area. Mesosoma coarsely reticulate [Oriental Region: China: Yunnan] (Fig. 34) => Temnothorax shuangjiang

Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 32. Temnothorax qiu Qian & Xu, 2024, holotype worker (SWFU C18-561). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view.
Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 34. Temnothorax shuangjiang Qian & Xu, 2024, holotype worker (SWFU A13-198). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view.

60

return to couplet #56

Petiole without anterior peduncle in lateral view => 61
Petiole with anterior peduncle in lateral view => 62

61

return to couplet #60

Head dorsum longitudinally rugose on the central area. Propodeal spines thin in lateral view. Body color yellow, head and gaster blackish brown [Palearctic Region: China: Hebei, Inner Mongolia; Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Mongolia (type locality), Russian Federation] (Fig. 1) => Temnothorax mongolicus
Head dorsum finely reticulate on the central area. Propodeal spines thick in lateral view. Body color reddish brown, head and gaster brownish black [Palearctic Region: China: Ningxia, Qinghai] (Fig. 66) => Temnothorax brevispinus

Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 1. Temnothorax mongolicus (Pisarski, 1969), paratype worker (MIZW). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view. Images cited from www.antweb.org, CASENT 0916693, photos by Flavia Esteves.
Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 66. Temnothorax brevispinus (Chang & He, 2001), holotype worker (NXU 99-253). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view.

62

return to couplet #60

In lateral view petiolar node roughly trapezoidal, with obvious dorsal margin => 63
In lateral view petiolar node roughly triangular or conical, without obvious dorsal margin => 64

63

return to couplet #62

Head dorsum reticulate or distinctly punctate on the central area. Propodeal spines relatively longer and posterodorsally pointed in lateral view. Body color brownish yellow, head and gaster black (Figs. 5a, c) => 63A
Head dorsum loosely longitudinally rugose on the central area. Propodeal spines relatively shorter and suberect in lateral view. Body color blackish brown, head and gaster black (Figs. 5b, d) [Oriental Region: China: Sichuan] => Temnothorax dongzhi

Wei et al. (2024), Fig. 5. Full-face view (a, c) and lateral view (b, d) of Temnothorax workers: a, b) Temnothorax dongzhi, c, d) Temnothorax leyeensis. Images cited from Qian & Xu (2024).

63A

return to couplet #63

Head overall sculpture much simpler and lustrous, with relatively sparse and fine reticulated sculpture. Promesonotum in dorsal view only irregularly reticulate not interspersed with fine reticulation centrally. Anterior region of gaster smooth and shiny, without coarse sculpture. Colour of mesosoma reddish (Figs. 6a, c, e) [Oriental Region (Fig. 3): China: Yunnan (type locality)] => Temnothorax gui
Head overall densely and strongly reticulated. Pronotum in dorsal view with strong and fine reticulation centrally. Anterior region of gaster with distinctly coarse sculpture. Colour of mesosoma orange (Figs. 6b, d, f) [Oriental Region (Fig. 3): China: Guangxi (type locality)] => Temnothorax leyeensis

Wei et al. (2024), Fig. 6. Front (a, b), gaster (c, d), and mesosoma in dorsal view (e, f) of Temnothorax workers: a, c, e) Temnothorax gui, b, d, f) Temnothorax leyeensis. Images of Temnothorax leyeensis cited from Qian & Xu (2024).
Wei et al. (2024), Fig. 3. Geographical distributions of Temnothorax gui and Temnothorax leyeensis. Locality information of Temnothorax leyeensis was obtained from the original literature (Zhou et al., 2010). Visualized with SimpleMappr.

64

return to couplet #62

Petiolar node roughly triangular in lateral view, anterodorsal corner rightly angled. Head dorsum reticulate on the central area. Body color brownish yellow, gaster blackish brown [Palearctic Region: China: Hebei, Heilongjiang, Liaoning, Shaanxi; Democratic People’s Republic of Korea] (Fig. 67) => Temnothorax pisarskii
Petiolar node roughly conical in lateral view, dorsal corner narrowly rounded. Head dorsum longitudinally rugose on the central area. Body color blackish brown or black => 65

Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 67. Temnothorax pisarskii Radchenko, 2004, paratype worker (MIZW). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view. Images cited from www.antweb.org, CASENT 0917459, photos by Kate Martynova.

65

return to couplet #64

Head dorsum coarsely longitudinally rugose. Mesosomal dorsum moderately convex in lateral view. Propodeal spines relatively longer, about twice as long as their basal width. Body color blackish brown [Palearctic and Oriental Regions: China: Anhui, Beijing, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hebei, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Ningxia, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, Zhejiang; Japan (type locality), Republic of Korea] (Fig. 11) => Temnothorax spinosior
Head dorsum finely longitudinally rugose. Mesosomal dorsum weakly convex in lateral view. Propodeal spines relatively shorter, slightly longer than their basal width. Body color black [Oriental Region: China: Yunnan] (Fig. 10) => Temnothorax dahan

Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 11. Temnothorax spinosior (Forel, 1901), syntype worker (MHNG). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view. Images cited from www.antweb.org, CASENT 0909021, photos by Zach Lieberman.
Qian & Xu (2024), Fig. 10. Temnothorax dahan Qian & Xu, 2024, holotype worker (SWFU A19-6318). A. Head in full-face view. B. Body in lateral view. C. Body in dorsal view.

References