Temnothorax taivanensis

Nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
Radchenko (2004) - T. taivanensis is similar to Temnothorax spinosior and Temnothorax eburneipes (for their separations see Temnothorax eburneipes). This species is most similar to Temnothorax antera from Southern Japan.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: Taiwan. Palaearctic Region: China.

Nomenclature

 *  taivanensis. Leptothorax taivanensis Wheeler, W.M. 1929g: 54 (w.) TAIWAN. Combination in Temnothorax: Bolton, 2003: 271.

Worker
Length 2.4-2.8 mm.

Head longer than broad, as broad in front as behind, with rounded sides Hud posterior corners and nearly straight posterior border. Eyes convex, at the middle of the sides. Mandibles distinctly 5-toothed, with rounded external borders. Clypeus somewhat convex behind; its anterior border depressed in front, produced and truncated in the middle, sinuate on each side. Frontal area impressed but indistinct; frontal carinae very small. Antennae 12-jointed; sea pes curved at the base, extending somewhat beyond the posterior border of the head; funicular joints 2-8 small, subequal, broader than long; the three terminal joints long, forming a distinct club, the last joint of which is as long as the two subequal basal joints together and distinctly enlarged. Thorax convex in profile, highest in the mesothoracic region, with distinct promesonotal suture, falling, rather rapidly to the epinotum but interrupted by a distinct transverse swelling representing the metanotum. Base of epinotum shorter than the declivity and slightly sloping, the spines long and tapering, longer than the base and than the distance between their insertions, curved basally and then directed straight backward and slightly outward. Petiole long and narrow, with a peduncle as long as the node, which is rounded, as long as broad, in profile a little higher in front than behind; peduncle with an acute, downwardly directed anteroventral tooth. Postpetiole about 1 1/4 times as broad as long, its node transversely elliptical, convex, half again as broad as the petiole. Legs rather long, femora distinctly thickened in the middle.

Shining; gaster, legs and scapes more so than the head, thorax and pedicel. Mandibles opaque, finely longitudinally striated and obscurely punctate. Clypeus with about seven longitudinal rugules. Head longitudinally and somewhat irregularly rugose, with reticulate interrugal spaces. Thorax more coarsely and irregularly rugose, especially on the pronotum, where the rugae are vermiculate; on the sides they are more clearly longitudinal; epinotal declivity transversely rugulose above, smooth and opaque below. Pedicel finely and indistinctly punctate or shagreened, the nodes shining and with a few longitudinal impressions. Gaster very smooth and shining, with sparse piligerous punctures; legs and scapes distinctly shagreened or punctulate.

Hairs rather sparse, glistening white, blunt but not very stout, erect or suberect on the dorsal surface of the body; fine, pointed and appressed on the legs and antennae.

Dark brown; gaster and dorsal surface of head more blackish; mandibles, scapes, epinotal spines, except their bases, trochanters, tarsi, bases and tips of femora and tibiae brownish yellow or pale reddish brown.

Type Material
Described from six specimens taken at Funkiko, Formosa.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Chapman, J. W., and Capco, S. R. 1951. Check list of the ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of Asia. Monogr. Inst. Sci. Technol. Manila 1: 1-327
 * Guénard B., and R. R. Dunn. 2012. A checklist of the ants of China. Zootaxa 3558: 1-77.
 * Li Z.h. 2006. List of Chinese Insects. Volume 4. Sun Yat-sen University Press
 * Radchenko A. 2004. A review of the ant genera Leptothorax Mayr and Temnothorax Mayr (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) of the eastern Palaearctic. Acta Zoologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae 50:109-137.
 * Terayama M. 2009. A synopsis of the family Formicidae of Taiwan (Insecta: Hymenoptera). Research Bulletin of Kanto Gakuen University. Liberal Arts 17:81-266.
 * Terayama Mamoru. 2009. A synopsis of the family Formicidae of Taiwan (Insecta, Hymenoptera). The Research Bulletin of Kanto Gakuen University 17: 81-266.
 * Terayama, M. 2009. A synopsis of the family Formicidae of Taiwan (Insecta; Hymenoptera). The Research Bulletin of Kanto Gakuen University 17: 81-266.
 * Wheeler W. M. 1929. Ants collected by Professor F. Silvestri in Formosa, the Malay Peninsula and the Philippines. Bollettino del Laboratorio di Zoologia Generale e Agraria della Reale Scuola Superiore d'Agricoltura. Portici 24: 27-64.
 * Zhou S., J.; Huang, D. Yu, and Z. Liu. 2010. Eight new species and three newly recorded species of the ant genus Temnothorax Mayr (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from the Chinese mainland, with a key. Sociobiology 56:(1): 7-26