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Temnothorax buddha
| Temnothorax buddha | |
|---|---|
| |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Formicidae |
| Subfamily: | Myrmicinae |
| Tribe: | Crematogastrini |
| Genus: | Temnothorax |
| Species: | T. buddha |
| Binomial name | |
| Temnothorax buddha Subedi, Budha & Yusupov, 2023 | |
These ants are only known from a single collection made at cookie baits kept at Nagarjun Forest nearby Jamacho Monastery, Shivapuri-Nagarjun National Park, Nepal.
Photo Gallery
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Identification
Temnothorax buddha may be confused with Himalayan species such as Temnothorax microreticulatus, Temnothorax pamiricus, Temnothorax pakistanensis, and Temnothorax himachalensis, which also have unicolorous yellow body. But from the first species T. buddha is distinguished by a more strongly sculptured and longer head (CI 1.26 vs max 1.17) and mesosoma, thinner propodeal spines, much rounded petiole node, shorter and broader petiolar peduncle and massive postpetiole. This species differs from T. pamiricus and T. himachalensis in much longer propodeal spines, developed strong sculpture, petiole shape, etc. T. buddha differs from T. pakistanensis in shorter head (CI 1.26 vs min 1.26 and max 1.32) and scape (SI1 0.65 vs min 0.72), absence of deep metanotal groove, longer propodeal spines, shape of petiole, and coarser sculpture of body.
Keys including this Species
Distribution
Latitudinal Distribution Pattern
Latitudinal Range: 27.7° to 27.7°.
| North Temperate |
North Subtropical |
Tropical | South Subtropical |
South Temperate |
- Source: Subedi et al., 2023
Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: Nepal (type locality).
Distribution based on AntMaps
Distribution based on AntWeb specimens
Check data from AntWeb
Countries Occupied
| Number of countries occupied by this species based on AntWiki Regional Taxon Lists. In general, fewer countries occupied indicates a narrower range, while more countries indicates a more widespread species. |
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Estimated Abundance
| Relative abundance based on number of AntMaps records per species (this species within the purple bar). Fewer records (to the left) indicates a less abundant/encountered species while more records (to the right) indicates more abundant/encountered species. |
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Biology
Castes
Nomenclature
The following information is derived from Barry Bolton's Online Catalogue of the Ants of the World.
- buddha. Temnothorax buddha Subedi, Budha & Yusupov, 2023: 7, figs. 1A–C, 2A–C (w.q.) NEPAL.
Unless otherwise noted the text for the remainder of this section is reported from the publication that includes the original description.
Description
Worker
HL 0.67, HW 0.53, SL 0.44, OL 0.14, FRS 0.13, AL 0.79, AH 0.35, PNW 0.35, HTL 0.42, PL 0.31, PW 0.17, PH 0.21, PPL 0.22, PPW 0.24, PPH 0.21, ESL 0.14, CI 1.26, SI1 0.65, SI2 0.83, OI1 0.21, OI2 0.26, PI 1.47, PPI 1.07, AI 2.28, ESLI 0.26.
Head. In full-face view head slightly longer than broad (CI 1.26), with little rounded occipital corners and slightly convex or nearly straight posterior margin; anterior clypeal margin convex; eyes relatively large; mandibles elongate, masticatory margins with five teeth; antennae 12-segmented; scape almost reaches the posterior margin of head in full-face view (SI1 0.65, SI2 0.83). Mesosoma. In profile view, mesosoma with convex dorsum; promesonotal suture visible only ventrally, not reaching up to middle, metanotal groove shallow; propodeal spines moderately long, straight, slightly widened at the base, their tips are obliquely truncate; propodeal declivity roughly concave. Petiole and postpetiole. In profile, petiolar node longer than high with somewhat long anterior peduncle; petiolar node with steep and almost straight anterior face and convex, massive with sharpened corners dorsum; Postpetiole shorter than petiole with rounded dorsum and almost similar in height with petiole; in dorsal view broader than petiole, more or less equal in length and width itself. Gaster. Smooth and shiny. Sculpture and pilosity. Head dorsum with regular longitudinal striations extending to the occiput, frons and genae nearly smooth and shiny, mandibles with faint striations, coarse longitudinal and reticulate rugae in mesosoma, petiole, postpetiole and gaster with almost similar sculptures. Suberect to erect hairs covering the whole body, decumbent pubescent hairs on antennae and legs, dense in funicular segments of antennae. Colour. Body yellowish with little lighter legs and antennae, pilosity white.
Queen
HL 0.69, HW 0.60, SL 0.53, OL 0.17, FRS 0.14, AL 1.03, AH 0.47, PNW 0.50, HTL 0.44, PL 0.33, PW 0.19, PH 0.22, PPL 0.31, PPW 0.22, PPH 0.22, ESL 0.19, CI 1.16, SI1 0.76, SI2 0.88, OI1 0.24, OI2 0.28, PI 1.50, PPI 1.38, AI 2.18, ESLI 0.33.
Mostly similar with workers except usual modifications in the queen. Larger and more robust body with thick hair, mandibles almost triangular, striations as in workers, antennal scape almost reaching occipital border, large eyes, three distinct ocelli, gaster smooth and shiny with blackish yellow, body color yellowish with black tinge, legs and antennae faint yellow.
Type Material
- Holotype: worker (CDZMTU HymF121), Nepal: Bagmati Province, Shivapuri-Nagarjun National Park, Nagarjun Forest, Jamacho, 27.7452°N, 85.2667°E, 2094 m asl, bait collection, 3.V 2019, leg. I.P. Subedi.
- Paratype: 1 queen (CDZMTU HymF122), same data as a holotype.
Etymology
The species is named after the Lord Buddha who was born in Nepal.