Temnothorax punctaticeps

The nest of the type series was found in a log in a pine forest with few other types of trees. The soil was a dark loam.

Identification
Mackay (2000) - A member of the Temnothorax hispidus species complex. This species could be confused with Temnothorax punctatissimus or with Temnothorax terrigena. See discussion of Temnothorax punctatissimus for details useful for distinguishing the three species. The densely punctate head (compared with a rugose head in the other species) will easily separate it from the others in the hispidus complex.

This species is distinct from all others in the subgenus, as it is a relatively large, light brown colored species, with a large dark splotch or band on the dorsum of the first tergum. The sculpture consists mostly of dense punctures, especially on the dorsum of the head. The medial clypeal carina is poorly developed, several lateral carinae are prominent. The antenna has 12 segments. The petiole is thick as seen in profile with a blunt, rounded node. The dorsum of the first gastral tergite is smooth and polished.

Distribution
Mexico: Nuevo Leon.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Mexico.

Habitat
Pine Forest

Abundance
Only known from types.

Caste
Known only from the worker caste.

Nomenclature

 *  punctaticeps. Leptothorax (Myrafant) punctaticeps Mackay, W.P., 2000: 388, figs. 38, 149 (w.) MEXICO. Combination in Temnothorax: Bolton, 2003: 272.

Worker
Mandibles with 5 teeth, most apical 3 well defined, basal most pair poorly developed; anterior border of clypeus concave, nearly forming a notch, clypeus with numerous longitudinal carinae, medial carina not more developed than others; sides of head broadly convex; vertex nearly straight; eyes large, extending past sides of head; scape extending slightly past posterior corner of head; sutures of mesosoma not obvious when seen in profile; propodeal spines small, but well formed; petiole with relatively long peduncle, with large subpetiolar process; anterior petiolar face concave, posterior face convex, petiolar node broadly rounded. . Erect hairs with blunt tips abundant on nearly all surfaces, except legs and scapes, where they are nearly decumbent; those on funiculus somewhat more erect; decumbent pubescence only present as long hairs on gaster.

Sculpture consisting mostly of coarse, dense punctures, especially obvious on dorsum of head, mesosoma, petiole and postpetiole, rugae present on mandibles, sides of head and side of pronotum; gaster entirely smooth and polished.

Concolorous light reddish-brown, but with a broad, dark band on first tergum.

Worker measurement (mm): HL 0.79-0.82, HW 0.70-0.79, SL 0.67-0.68, EL 0.18-0.21, WL 1.03-1.07, PW 0.19-0.23, PL 0.31-0.36, PW 0.30-0.31, PPL 0.17-0.23. Indices: CI 89-96, SI 83-85, PI 53-74, PPI 130-182.

Type Material
MEXICO, Nuevo Leon: 61 KNE Dr. Arroyo, 10 June 1988, 2540 meters, W. Mackay #11004. Holotype worker and 26 paratype workers (, ,,, MCZC, , ).

Etymology
Morphological, for the densely punctate head.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Dattilo W. et al. 2019. MEXICO ANTS: incidence and abundance along the Nearctic-Neotropical interface. Ecology https://doi.org/10.1002/ecy.2944
 * Fernandes, P.R. XXXX. Los hormigas del suelo en Mexico: Diversidad, distribucion e importancia (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).
 * Vásquez-Bolaños M. 2011. Lista de especies de hormigas (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) para México. Dugesiana 18: 95-133