Key to the Cypriot Temnothorax species

Key to the Cypriot Temnothorax species (workers only), based on Salata et al. (2024).

1

• Mesosoma with deep metanotal groove (Figs 2, 5) => 2

• 

  Salata et al. (2024), Figs. 1, 2. Worker of Temnothorax curtisetosus (specimen from Trooditissa loc. 2). 1, dorsal. 2, lateral (scale bar = 1 mm).
• 

  Salata et al. (2024), Figs. 4, 5. Worker of Temnothorax recedens (specimen from Paphos Forest loc. 4). 4, dorsal. 5, lateral (scale bar = 1 mm).

• Mesosoma without metanotal groove (Figs 17, 24, 27, 30), at most with shallow metanotal impression (Figs 10, 11) => 3

• 

  Salata et al. (2024), Figs. 16, 17. Holotype worker of Temnothorax nikoklesi. 16, dorsal. 17, lateral (scale bar = 1 mm).
• 

  Salata et al. (2024), Figs. 23, 24. Holotype worker of Temnothorax hippomenesi. 23, dorsal. 24, lateral (scale bar = 1 mm).
• 

  Salata et al. (2024), Figs. 26, 27. Worker of Temnothorax aeolius (specimen from Akrotiri Marsh). 26, dorsal. 27, lateral (scale bar = 1 mm).
• 

  Salata et al. (2024), Figs. 29, 30. Holotype worker of Temnothorax cerastarum. 29, dorsal. 30, lateral (scale bar = 1 mm).

2

return to couplet #1

• Ventral margin of postpetiole anteriorly with a small spine (Fig. 2). Body predominantly yellow except predominantly darkened first gastral tergite (Figs 1, 2). Propodeal spines in the form of very short triangular tubercles (Fig. 2). Frontal carinae long, extending to the upper margin of the eyes. Antennae stout, SL/HW below 1.0 (Fig. 3). Social parasite in nests of other Temnothorax species => Temnothorax curtisetosus

• 

  Salata et al. (2024), Figs. 1, 2. Worker of Temnothorax curtisetosus (specimen from Trooditissa loc. 2). 1, dorsal. 2, lateral (scale bar = 1 mm).
• 

  Salata et al. (2024), Fig. 3. Worker head of Temnothorax curtisetosus (scale bar = 0.5 mm).

• Ventral margin of postpetiole anteriorly without spine (Fig. 5). Body bicolored with frontal head darker than pronotum, sides of mesonotum and propodeum with a dark patch or whole body predominantly dark, yellowish-brown to brown, head and mesosoma never uniformly yellow (Figs 4, 5). Propodeal spines in the form of moderately long to long thorns (Figs 5, 6). Frontal carinae short, extending only slightly behind antennal cavities. Antennae long, SL/HW above 1.2 (Fig. 7). Nonparasitic species => Temnothorax recedens

• 

  Salata et al. (2024), Figs. 4, 5. Worker of Temnothorax recedens (specimen from Paphos Forest loc. 4). 4, dorsal. 5, lateral (scale bar = 1 mm).
• 

  Salata et al. (2024), Figs. 6, 7. Worker of Temnothorax recedens. 6, mesosoma with long spined propodeum. 7, head (scale bar = 0.5 mm).

3

return to couplet #1

• Body predominantly dark colored, brown to almost black or bicolored with head and gaster predominantly brown to black and mesosoma with shallow metanotal impression (Figs 9–11, 14, 17) => 4

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  Salata et al. (2024), Figs. 8, 9. Holotype worker of Temnothorax apolloni. 8, dorsal. 9, lateral (scale bar = 1 mm).
• 

  Salata et al. (2024), Figs. 10, 11. Workers of Temnothorax apolloni, lateral. 10, the darkest form from Extreme View Cafe 11 the palest form from rd. F612 loc. 2 (scale bar = 1 mm).
• 

  Salata et al. (2024), Figs. 13, 14. Holotype worker of Temnothorax kykkos. 13, dorsal. 14, lateral (scale bar = 1 mm).
• 

  Salata et al. (2024), Figs. 16, 17. Holotype worker of Temnothorax nikoklesi. 16, dorsal. 17, lateral (scale bar = 1 mm).

• Body predominantly pale colored, yellow to ochraceous (Figs 20, 24, 27, 30) or head dark colored and first gastral tergite with basal yellow spot (Fig. 42) and mesosoma without metanotal impression (Fig. 46) => 6

• 

  Salata et al. (2024), Figs. 19, 20. Worker of Temnothorax cypridis (specimen from Evretou Dam). 19, dorsal. 20, lateral (scale bar = 1 mm).
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  Salata et al. (2024), Figs. 23, 24. Holotype worker of Temnothorax hippomenesi. 23, dorsal. 24, lateral (scale bar = 1 mm).
• 

  Salata et al. (2024), Figs. 26, 27. Worker of Temnothorax aeolius (specimen from Akrotiri Marsh). 26, dorsal. 27, lateral (scale bar = 1 mm).
• 

  Salata et al. (2024), Figs. 29, 30. Holotype worker of Temnothorax cerastarum. 29, dorsal. 30, lateral (scale bar = 1 mm).

4

return to couplet #3

• Petiolar node never triangular in profile with an obtuse or subangulate top (Figs 9–11, 17). Head predominantly with a distinct sculpture of longitudinal and/or reticulate rugae (Figs 12, 18) => 5

• 

  Salata et al. (2024), Figs. 8, 9. Holotype worker of Temnothorax apolloni. 8, dorsal. 9, lateral (scale bar = 1 mm).
• 

  Salata et al. (2024), Figs. 10, 11. Workers of Temnothorax apolloni, lateral. 10, the darkest form from Extreme View Cafe 11 the palest form from rd. F612 loc. 2 (scale bar = 1 mm).
• 

  Salata et al. (2024), Fig. 12. Holotype worker head of Temnothorax apolloni (scale bar = 0.5 mm).
• 

  Salata et al. (2024), Figs. 16, 17. Holotype worker of Temnothorax nikoklesi. 16, dorsal. 17, lateral (scale bar = 1 mm).
• 

  Salata et al. (2024), Fig. 18. Holotype worker head of Temnothorax nikoklesi (scale bar = 0.5 mm).

• Petiolar node triangular in profile with a sharply angulate top (Fig. 14). Head predominantly smooth and shiny (Fig. 15) => Temnothorax kykkos

• 

  Salata et al. (2024), Figs. 13, 14. Holotype worker of Temnothorax kykkos. 13, dorsal. 14, lateral (scale bar = 1 mm).
• 

  Salata et al. (2024), Fig. 15. Holotype worker head of Temnothorax kykkos (scale bar = 0.5 mm).

5

return to couplet #4

• Body predominantly uniformly dark brown to almost black, mesosoma never with shallow metanotal impression (Fig. 17). Head in the middle of frons, on sides of vertex and occipitum with partly diffused sculpture, appears smooth and shiny (Fig. 18). Petiole in profile with long peduncle, concave anterior slope and angulate petiolar node (Fig. 17). Antennal scape longer, mean SL/HW 0.90. Eyes larger, mean EL/HL 0.26 => Temnothorax nikoklesi

• 

  Salata et al. (2024), Figs. 16, 17. Holotype worker of Temnothorax nikoklesi. 16, dorsal. 17, lateral (scale bar = 1 mm).
• 

  Salata et al. (2024), Fig. 18. Holotype worker head of Temnothorax nikoklesi (scale bar = 0.5 mm).

• Body usually bicolored, head and gaster darker than mesosoma, mesosoma usually with shallow metanotal impression (Figs 9–11). Head usually on whole surface with reticulate and longitudinal rugae, at most in the middle of frons with smooth stripe (Fig. 12). Petiole in profile with moderately long peduncle, concave anterior slope and obtuse or obtusely angulate petiolar node (Figs 9–11). Antennal scape shorter, mean SL/HW 0.82. Eyes smaller, mean EL/HL 0.24 => Temnothorax apolloni

• 

  Salata et al. (2024), Figs. 8, 9. Holotype worker of Temnothorax apolloni. 8, dorsal. 9, lateral (scale bar = 1 mm).
• 

  Salata et al. (2024), Figs. 10, 11. Workers of Temnothorax apolloni, lateral. 10, the darkest form from Extreme View Cafe 11 the palest form from rd. F612 loc. 2 (scale bar = 1 mm).

6

return to couplet #3

• Antennal club partly brown to black (Figs. 20, 21, 28) => 7

• 

  Salata et al. (2024), Figs. 19, 20. Worker of Temnothorax cypridis (specimen from Evretou Dam). 19, dorsal. 20, lateral (scale bar = 1 mm).
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  Salata et al. (2024), Figs. 21, 22. Worker of Temnothorax cypridis. 21, microworker lateral (scale bar = 1 mm). 22, head (scale bar = 0.5 mm).
• 

  Salata et al. (2024), Fig. 28. Worker head of Temnothorax aeolius (scale bar = 0.5 mm).

• Antennal club yellow, the same color or only slightly darker yellow than funicle (Figs. 24, 30, 31, 37, 43, 45, 46, 53, 56) => 8

• 

  Salata et al. (2024), Figs. 23, 24. Holotype worker of Temnothorax hippomenesi. 23, dorsal. 24, lateral (scale bar = 1 mm).
• 

  Salata et al. (2024), Figs. 29, 30. Holotype worker of Temnothorax cerastarum. 29, dorsal. 30, lateral (scale bar = 1 mm).
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  Salata et al. (2024), Fig. 31. Holotype worker head of Temnothorax cerastarum (scale bar = 0.5 mm).
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  Salata et al. (2024), Figs. 35–37. Worker of Temnothorax evagorae. 35, holotype dorsal. 36, holotype lateral. 37, the darkest form from rd. F612 ad Ag. Konstantinos (scale bar = 1 mm).
• 

  Salata et al. (2024), Figs. 42, 43. Holotype worker of Temnothorax oreades. 42, dorsal. 43, lateral (scale bar = 1 mm).
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  Salata et al. (2024), Figs. 45, 46. Worker of Temnothorax oreades, lateral. 45, the palest form from mouflon farm in Paphos forest. 46, the darkest form from Kalidonia Waterfall area loc. 1 (scale bar = 1 mm).
• 

  Salata et al. (2024), Figs. 52, 53. Holotype worker of Temnothorax akrotiriensis, morphotype 1. 52, dorsal. 53, lateral (scale bar = 1 mm).
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  Salata et al. (2024), Figs. 55, 56. Worker of Temnothorax akrotiriensis (morphotype 2). 55, dorsal. 56, lateral (scale bar = 1 mm).

7

return to couplet #6

• Petiole short with mean PI 1.481, petiolar node regularly rounded in profile, globular, without lateral carinae. Propodeal spines well-marked with mean PSL/HW 0.266 (Fig. 27). Postocular area and occipital corners with strong microreticulation, without or with fine striation, central part of frons, vertex and occipitum with strong microreticulation and variable, more or less visible fine longitudinal striation, frons centrally without or with very narrow smooth and shiny line (Fig. 28) => Temnothorax aeolius

• 

  Salata et al. (2024), Figs. 26, 27. Worker of Temnothorax aeolius (specimen from Akrotiri Marsh). 26, dorsal. 27, lateral (scale bar = 1 mm).
• 

  Salata et al. (2024), Fig. 28. Worker head of Temnothorax aeolius (scale bar = 0.5 mm).

• Petiole longer with mean PI 1.505, petiolar node in lateral view obtusely angulate with sharp lateral carinae. Propodeal spines very short, in form of triangular tubercles, with mean PSL/HW 0.225 (Figs 20, 21). Postocular area and occipital corners predominantly smooth or with fine striation, central part of frons, vertex and occipitum smooth and shiny, sides of vertex often with diffused microreticulation (Fig. 22) => Temnothorax cypridis

• 

  Salata et al. (2024), Figs. 19, 20. Worker of Temnothorax cypridis (specimen from Evretou Dam). 19, dorsal. 20, lateral (scale bar = 1 mm).
• 

  Salata et al. (2024), Figs. 21, 22. Worker of Temnothorax cypridis. 21, microworker lateral (scale bar = 1 mm). 22, head (scale bar = 0.5 mm).

8

return to couplet #6

• Dark band on the first gastral tergite occupies at least ⅓ of posterior surface of the tergite, often more than half space (Figs 24, 30, 37, 43, 45, 46) => 9

• 

  Salata et al. (2024), Figs. 23, 24. Holotype worker of Temnothorax hippomenesi. 23, dorsal. 24, lateral (scale bar = 1 mm).
• 

  Salata et al. (2024), Figs. 29, 30. Holotype worker of Temnothorax cerastarum. 29, dorsal. 30, lateral (scale bar = 1 mm).
• 

  Salata et al. (2024), Figs. 35–37. Worker of Temnothorax evagorae. 35, holotype dorsal. 36, holotype lateral. 37, the darkest form from rd. F612 ad Ag. Konstantinos (scale bar = 1 mm).
• 

  Salata et al. (2024), Figs. 42, 43. Holotype worker of Temnothorax oreades. 42, dorsal. 43, lateral (scale bar = 1 mm).
• 

  Salata et al. (2024), Figs. 45, 46. Worker of Temnothorax oreades, lateral. 45, the palest form from mouflon farm in Paphos forest. 46, the darkest form from Kalidonia Waterfall area loc. 1 (scale bar = 1 mm).

• Dark band on first gastral tergite occupies at most ¼ of posterior surface of the tergite (Figs 53, 56) => Temnothorax akrotiriensis

• 

  Salata et al. (2024), Figs. 52, 53. Holotype worker of Temnothorax akrotiriensis, morphotype 1. 52, dorsal. 53, lateral (scale bar = 1 mm).
• 

  Salata et al. (2024), Figs. 55, 56. Worker of Temnothorax akrotiriensis (morphotype 2). 55, dorsal. 56, lateral (scale bar = 1 mm).

9

return to couplet #8

• Propodeal spines moderately long to very long, mean PSL/HW above 0.24 (Figs 30, 36, 43, 45, 46). Usually, less than half of the upper part of the head smooth and shiny or head only with smooth stripe along middle of frons and vertex (Figs 31, 38, 44, 47, 48). Body coloration variable, orange-yellow except for dark band on the first gastral tergite (Figs 29, 30) or with head darker than mesosoma (Fig. 45) or with both head and mesosoma darkened (Fig. 46). Femora often infuscate in the middle. Erect setae on mesosoma shorter, 0.50–0.65 × as long as eye diameter => 10

• 

  Salata et al. (2024), Figs. 29, 30. Holotype worker of Temnothorax cerastarum. 29, dorsal. 30, lateral (scale bar = 1 mm).
• 

  Salata et al. (2024), Figs. 35–37. Worker of Temnothorax evagorae. 35, holotype dorsal. 36, holotype lateral. 37, the darkest form from rd. F612 ad Ag. Konstantinos (scale bar = 1 mm).
• 

  Salata et al. (2024), Figs. 42, 43. Holotype worker of Temnothorax oreades. 42, dorsal. 43, lateral (scale bar = 1 mm).
• 

  Salata et al. (2024), Figs. 45, 46. Worker of Temnothorax oreades, lateral. 45, the palest form from mouflon farm in Paphos forest. 46, the darkest form from Kalidonia Waterfall area loc. 1 (scale bar = 1 mm).

• Propodeal spines very short, mean PSL/HW 0.21. At least upper half part of head smooth and shiny (Fig. 25). Whole body pale yellow except dark band on first gastral tergite, femora always uniformly yellow. Erect setae on mesosoma long, approximately 0.7 × as long as eye diameter (Fig. 24) => Temnothorax hippomenesi

• 

  Salata et al. (2024), Figs. 23, 24. Holotype worker of Temnothorax hippomenesi. 23, dorsal. 24, lateral (scale bar = 1 mm).
• 

  Salata et al. (2024), Fig. 25. Holotype worker head of Temnothorax hippomenesi (scale bar = 0.5 mm).

10

return to couplet #9

• Head predominantly sculptured except smooth stripe along the middle of frons and vertex or without smooth parts, often more or less darker than mesosoma (Figs 38, 44, 47, 48). Propodeal spines moderate, mean PSL/HW 0.25 spiniform with distinctly widened base, running obliquely upwards (Figs 35-37, 43, 45, 46). Antennae shorter, mean SL/HW below 0.90 (Figs 44, 47, 48). Femora often infuscate in the middle => 11

• 

  Salata et al. (2024), Fig. 38. Holotype worker head of Temnothorax evagorae (scale bar = 0.5 mm).
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  Salata et al. (2024), Fig. 44. Holotype worker head of Temnothorax oreades (scale bar = 0.5 mm).
• 

  Salata et al. (2024), Figs. 47, 48. Worker head of Temnothorax oreades. 47, the palest form from mouflon farm in Paphos forest. 48, the darkest form from Kalidonia Waterfall area loc. 1 (scale bar = 0.5 mm).
• 

  Salata et al. (2024), Figs. 35–37. Worker of Temnothorax evagorae. 35, holotype dorsal. 36, holotype lateral. 37, the darkest form from rd. F612 ad Ag. Konstantinos (scale bar = 1 mm).
• 

  Salata et al. (2024), Figs. 42, 43. Holotype worker of Temnothorax oreades. 42, dorsal. 43, lateral (scale bar = 1 mm).
• 

  Salata et al. (2024), Figs. 45, 46. Worker of Temnothorax oreades, lateral. 45, the palest form from mouflon farm in Paphos forest. 46, the darkest form from Kalidonia Waterfall area loc. 1 (scale bar = 1 mm).
• 

  Salata et al. (2024), Fig. 44. Holotype worker head of Temnothorax oreades (scale bar = 0.5 mm).

• Central part of frons, vertex and occipitum smooth and shiny, the same yellow color as mesosoma (Figs 30, 31). Propodeal spines long, mean PSL/HW 0.3, running strongly upwards, in form of elongate spines with slightly widened base (Fig. 30). Antennae longer, mean SL/HW 0.93 (Fig. 31). Femora always uniformly yellow => Temnothorax cerastarum

• 

  Salata et al. (2024), Figs. 29, 30. Holotype worker of Temnothorax cerastarum. 29, dorsal. 30, lateral (scale bar = 1 mm).
• 

  Salata et al. (2024), Fig. 31. Holotype worker head of Temnothorax cerastarum (scale bar = 0.5 mm).

11

return to couplet #10

• Setae on mesosoma longer, length of longest seta/eye diameter ratio 0.571–0.645 (mean 0.604). Head often darker than mesosoma, or both head and mesosoma infuscate, especially in populations from higher altitudes (Figs 42, 46, 48), sometimes head and mesosoma yellow, especially in populations from lower altitudes (Fig. 45, 47). Mountain species recorded above 840 m => Temnothorax oreades

• 

  Salata et al. (2024), Figs. 42, 43. Holotype worker of Temnothorax oreades. 42, dorsal. 43, lateral (scale bar = 1 mm).
• 

  Salata et al. (2024), Figs. 45, 46. Worker of Temnothorax oreades, lateral. 45, the palest form from mouflon farm in Paphos forest. 46, the darkest form from Kalidonia Waterfall area loc. 1 (scale bar = 1 mm).
• 

  Salata et al. (2024), Figs. 47, 48. Worker head of Temnothorax oreades. 47, the palest form from mouflon farm in Paphos forest. 48, the darkest form from Kalidonia Waterfall area loc. 1 (scale bar = 0.5 mm).

• Setae on mesosoma shorter, length of longest seta/eye diameter ratio 0.500–0.582 (mean 0.530). Head usually as yellow colored as mesosoma (Fig. 35), occasionally darker than mesosoma (Fig. 37). Lowland and highland species recorded from sea coast to an altitude 838 m => Temnothorax evagorae

• 

  Salata et al. (2024), Figs. 35–37. Worker of Temnothorax evagorae. 35, holotype dorsal. 36, holotype lateral. 37, the darkest form from rd. F612 ad Ag. Konstantinos (scale bar = 1 mm).

References

• Salata, S., Demetriou, J., Georgiadis, C., Borowiec, L. 2024. The genus Temnothorax Mayr, 1861 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Cyprus. Zootaxa 5434(1), 1-69 (doi:10.11646/zootaxa.5434.1.1).