Temnothorax stollii

This is a remarkable high-elevation Guatemalan endemic. The notched clypeus is a highly distinctive feature.

Identification
Mackay (2000) - A member of the Temnothorax nitens species complex. Workers of this species can be recognized by a 12 segmented antenna, by the offset basalmost tooth, the coarse carinae on the clypeus, which terminate as teeth on the anterior border of the clypeus, which give the anterior edge a crenulate appearance. The malar area has numerous coarse rugae, the area posterior to the insertions of the antennae is without concentric. curved striae, as are found in most species. The scape extends to the occipital corner; the dorsum of the head is nearly smooth, interspersed with piligerous punctures, the pronotum is finely striate, the remainder of the mesosoma is rugose. the propodeal spines are well developed and the node of the petiole is rounded in profile. The mesosoma is slightly depressed at the mesopropodeal suture. The male is unusual in that the scape extends well past the occipital corner and the petiole and postpetiole appear "swollen" and thickened.

This species is included in the nitens species complex, although it does not fit well and probably deserves to belong to its own complex. The carinae on the clypeus are similar to those of the nitens complex. except they terminate in teeth on the anterior border of the clypeus. The petiolar node is relatively sharp. and is slightly carinate on each side, but it is not as sharp as it is in other species in the complex. The scapes of both the worker and male are exceptionally long, which would separate it from other members of the subgenus. Thus, these unusual characters, and the offset basal tooth, would separate this species from all others in the subgenus. It is also the only species known from Guatemala.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Guatemala.

Biology
J. Longino, 29 Sep 2015: The species has remained unknown since the collection of the original two series on which the name is based. Bob Anderson just collected a nest series beneath a stone at a site just north of Huehuetenango (La Torre, Aldea Xemal, 15.48368 -91.53455 ±50m, 3791m, 14Jun2015, R. S. Anderson#2015-146X), in a moss-pine-juniper forest. The colony was polygynous, with multiple dealate queens.

Nomenclature

 *  stollii. Leptothorax stollii Forel, 1885a: 352 (w.m.) GUATEMALA. Forel, 1899c: 54 (q.). Combination in L. (Myrafant): Kempf, 1972a: 132; in Temnothorax: Bolton, 2003: 272. See also: Mackay, 2000: 411.

Taxonomic Notes
J. Longino, 29 Sep 2015: Temnothorax stollii was described by Forel in 1884, based on a collection of workers and a male. The collection was by Stoll, from the summit of Volcan de Agua, Guatemala. The elevation was reported as 14,000 feet on the label and in the publication, but the peak is actually 12,340 feet (3,760m). Champion later collected a series of workers, males, and queens at the same site, with 13,000 feet on the label. Forel (1899) described the queen from the Champion series.

Type Material
Seven workers and 1 male cotypes [seen].