Temnothorax myersi

Wheeler (1931) reports this species has been observed nesting in crevices of limestone rocks or cliffs, often with more or less tubular carton entrance.

Identification
Wheeler (1931) - This species may be readily mistaken for Temnothorax manni, but is distinguished by the very different petiole, the feebly impressed thoracic dorsum, the shorter epinotal spines, the coarser thoracic sculpture, differently colored legs, etc. Dr. Creighton found the colonies nesting in the crevices of limestone cliffs.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Cuba, Greater Antilles.

Nomenclature

 *  myersi. Macromischa myersi Wheeler, W.M. 1931b: 20 (w.) CUBA. Combination in Leptothorax: Baroni Urbani, 1978b: 465; in Temnothorax: Bolton, 2003: 271.

Worker
Length 4.5-5 mm.

Head subrectangular, somewhat longer than broad, with broadly rounded posterior corners, straight posterior border and subparallel cheeks. Eyes moderately large, at the middle of the sides. Mandibles 5-toothed, with convex external borders. Clypeus rather flat in the middle, with straight, transverse anterior border. Frontal area distinct, triangular. Antennae slender, scapes reaching fully 1/3 their length beyond the posterior border of the head; all the funicular joints decidedly longer than broad, the first as long as the two succeeding subequal joints together, the club 4-jointed, not very distinct. Thorax shaped as in M. manni but somewhat shorter, with a feeble but distinct transverse dorsal impression between the meso- and epinotum, the base of the latter somewhat longer than the abrupt declivity, the spines long, but shorter than in manni, straight in profile, rather stout at the base and slender apically, directed backward and upward, seen from above somewhat curved inward basally and bent slightly outward at their tips. Metasternal angles rounded and not projecting. Petiolar peduncle decidedly shorter than in manni, not longer than the node, with feeble anteroventral tooth and slight dilatation at the spiracles. Node decidedly higher than in manni, higher than long, rising rather abruptly from the peduncle and evenly rounded above. Postpetiole rounded-trapezoidal, narrower in front than behind, broader than long, about 1½ times as broad as the petiole. Gaster elongate elliptical, the first segment longer than the remaining segments together. Femora and tibiae not incrassated.

Sculpture much as in manni, but the rugules even coarser especially on the thorax, transverse on the anterior and longitudinal on the posterior portion of the pronotum and on the pleurae, transverse also on the mesonotum and on the base and declivity of the epinotum. Surface of head and thorax moderately shining; pedicel and gaster smooth and more shining; femora shining and sparsely tuberculate, scapes opaque.

Hairs white, much as in manni, but of more uneven length on the body; those on the scapes more delicate and less curved. Head and thorax ferruginous red, with very indistinct metallic purplish reflections; mandibles, clypeus, cheeks and epinotal spines distinctly yellowish, mandibular teeth black, peduncle of petiole reddish yellow, node and postpetiole brown, gaster black, legs and antennae dark brown or blackish, femora not paler at the base.

Type Material
Described from numerous workers taken by Dr. W. S. Creighton at Mina Carlota, Cumanyagua (type locality) and San Blas, near Cienfuegos, and two workers taken by Dr. J. G. Myers at Buenos Aires, Trinidad Mountains, Cuba.