Temnothorax platycnemis

Identification
This fine species resembles some of the non-metallic species of the genus, such as Temnothorax allardycei and affinis (=Temnothorax laetus) in the conformation of the thorax, but differs from all the species of Macromischa sens. str., except Temnothorax purpuratus, in the great length and tenuity of the petiolar peduncle. (Wheeler 1937)

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

Nomenclature

 *  platycnemis. Macromischa platycnemis Wheeler, W.M. 1937b: 452 (w.) CUBA. Combination in Leptothorax: Baroni Urbani, 1978b: 476; in Temnothorax: Bolton, 2003: 272.

Worker
Length about 4 mm.

Head subrectangular, without the mandibles only slightly longer than broad, slightly broader behind than in front, with nearly straight sides and posterior border and rounded posterior corners. Mandibles convex, with five large, blunt teeth. Clypeus flattened, with a median carinula, its anterior border emarginate in the middle and sinuate on each side. Eyes convex, at the middle of the sides of the head. Frontal area distinct, impressed. Antennae stout, their scapes reaching nearly to the posterior corners of the head; second funicular joint longer than broad, half as long as the first joint; joints 3-8 broader than long; club well-developed, 3-jointed, its terminal joint as long as the two preceding joints together. Thorax short, about two and one-half times longer than broad; in profile evenly and rather strongly convex dorsally, without promesonotal and mesoepinotal sutures, the declivity of the epinotum perpendicular, the spines long, closely approximated basally, directed backward, obliquely outward and upward, their tips very slightly upturned. Peduncle of petiole very long and slender, more than four times as long as the node, when seen from above, slightly enlarged at the middle where the spiracles are situated; in profile with the posterior thinner than the anterior half. Petiolar node squamiform, in profile rising perpendicularly from the peduncle, narrowly rounded at the summit and less abruptly sloping and somewhat convex behind; from behind as high as broad, semicircular above and rather abruptly contracted below at the sides; in dorsal view more then twice as broad as long, three times as broad as the peduncle, broadly convex behind and roundly triangular in front, the sides bluntly marginate. Postpetiole campanulate, distinctly longer than broad, its sides straight and subparallel behind. Gaster small and very slender, nearly three times as long as broad, with very long sting. Femora and tibiae incrassated, but less strongly than in the two preceding species; femora nontuberculate, both the tibiae and basitarsi distinctly compressed.

Mandibles, antennae, head and thorax subopaque; legs and remainder of body shining. Mandibles striate-punctate; clypeus with a few delicate longitudinal rugules, mainly on the sides; head longitudinally rugose, the rugae fine and diverging on the front, coarser and more reticulate on the occiput, sharp and concentric in the antennal foveae. Both the scapes and funiculi of the antennae microscopically reticulate. Thorax coarsely and regularly, longitudinally rugose both dorsally and laterally, the rugae rounded and vermiculate, occasionally anastomosing, irregularly reticulate on the epinotal declivity; neck transversely rugulose. Gaster very smooth, with sparse piligerous punctures; legs superficially and very finely reticulate.

Hairs white, erect or suberect, moderately long, of uneven length, abundant on the head, antennae and legs, sparse on the thorax and abdomen.

Head red, clypeus and mandibles more yellowish, teeth of latter black; antennae brown; neck brownish red; thorax metallic blue-green, epinotal spines reddish brown; peduncle of petiole, tips of coxae, trochanters, extreme bases of femora and sting yellow, remaining parts of legs brown, except the terminal tarsal joints which are paler and more reddish.

Type Material
Described from a single specimen from the coast below the Pico Turquino, Sierra Maestra, June 26, 1936.