Temnothorax nitens

Mackay (2000) "This species nests under stones (Wheeler. 1906; Cole. 1942; Moody and Francke. 1982; Wheeler and Wheeler. 1986), or logs (Wheeler and Wheeler. 1973a). One nest was found in a termite nest (Wheeler. 1903a). Nests contain 69-276 workers (Cole. 1958a). Nests are monogynous (Frumhoff and Ward. 1992). This species occurs in ponderosa pine and. pinyon-juniper forests (Gregg. 1944; Wheeler and Wheeler. 1986; Mackay et al.. 1987). Cole (l958a) reports sexuals in the nest from June to August. It is one of the last ants to colonize an area (Mackay. 1993b)."



Identification
Mackay (2000) "The mesosoma of the holotype of this species is nearly completely smooth and shining. Wheeler (1903a) stated that smooth workers are found in nests together with workers that are more roughly sculptured. Cole (1958) also found considerable variability in this species in terms of color, scape length, surface sculpture and length of propodeal spines. Thus this species is difficult to characterize. The propodeal spines are nearly always relatively small, which would distinguish it from other species with smooth sculpture, such as L. schmittii. This species appears to be closely related to several others, including L. mariposa, L. melinus and L. adustus. Based on the holotype, it can be separated from these other species by the nearly smooth and polished dorsum of the mesosoma, as all of the other species have mesosomae that are densely sculptured. I am not convinced that we really know the true identity of L. nitens and it is possible that some of the records from the literature are based on misidentifications."

Range
USA. Western states, including Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Wyoming, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas.

Abundance
xxxxx Only known from a few collections. xxxxx

Biology
xxxxx At present we known nothing beyond the type information for Temnothorax xxxxxxxx. This ant was once a member of the now synonymized subgenus Myrafant and we can speculate that the biology of this species will be found to be like many other similar forms from North America:

xxxxx

Original Combination
Leptothorax (Leptothorax) nitens Emery, 1895c: 322, pl. 8, fig. 16 (w.) U.S.A. Cole, 1958c: 536 (q.m.); Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1973b: 71 (l.). Combination in L. (Myrafant): Smith, D.R. 1979: 1394; in Temnothorax: Bolton, 2003: 271. Senior synonym of mariposa, melinus: Ward, 2005: 17. See also: Wheeler, W.M. 1903c: 244; MacKay, 2000: 379.

Worker
Testacea, pedibus dilutioribus, superne nitida, capite nitidissimo, vertice fere impunctato, genis et fronte rugulosis, clypeo antice striatulo, postice laevigato, haud carinato, margine antico subsinuato,mandibulis basi striatis, antennis 12articulatis, flagelli articulo primo sequentibus tribus una longiore, clavae articulis 2 primis subaequalibus; thoracis dorso haud impresso, nitido, parce punctato, lateribus opacis, crebre punctatis, dentibus metanoti brevissimis; pedunculi segmento 1. brevi, nodo alto, cuneiformi, segmento 2. praecedente paulo crassiore; piUs corporis modice copiosis, brevibus, clavatis. Long. 2 1/4 mm.

American Fork Canon, Utah; ein Exemplar von Herrn PERGANDE gesandt.

Durch die glatte Oberseite des Kopfes und das hohe 1. Stielchenglied sehr ausgezeichnet.

Type Material
Mackay (2000) "Although Creighton (1950) states there are no types in this country, the holotype (consisting of only a mesosoma) is in the USNM (labeled AmFkCan. 23-6 Ut; USNMType # 54075) (seen). A specimen labeled as a type in Emery's collection (MCSN) is incorrectly labeled (seen). The locality is: USA, San Francisco. The specimen is poorly mounted and the head is covered with glue. so it is impossible to identify it."