Temnothorax peninsularis

Known from two females.

Identification
Mackay (2000)- This species is known only from the female, which is a small, light brown ant. The head is entirely sculptured with coarse rugae, and is punctate between the rugae. The antennae have 12 segments and the scapes extend slightly past the occipital comers. The sculpture of the mesosoma is very similar to that of the head, the propodeal spines are large, well developed with thick bases. The petiole has a long peduncle with a square node. The postpetiole and gaster are missing, but Wheeler (1914) states that the gaster is smooth and shining. The rough sculpture and the shape of the petiole (long peduncle, quadrate node) would probably separate this species from all others in the New World. It would also be easily to recognize as it is presently one of the only 2 species known from the Baja peninsula (The other is Temnothorax andrei, undoubtedly others occur there).

This species ... is difficult to place in any subgenus as it is somewhat intermediate between the subgenus Myrafant and what was previously considered the subgenus Macromischa (synonymized by Snelling, 1986). It is not closely related to Nesomyrmex (=Goniothorax) as Wheeler (1934) speculated, as there are no spines on the petiole. Characters in common with Macromischa would include the structure of the clypeus, which is somewhat bulging dorso ventrally and is covered with striae and the petiole has a long peduncle. On the other hand, the peduncle is not as elongate as in most Macromisha and is not that different from some of the Myrafant, such as Temnothorax silvestrii and Temnothorax punctaticeps, in which the clypei are similar. It is also possible that it is a member of the subgenus Dichothorax. It can be easily separated from Temnothorax pergandei as it is much more roughly sculptured. The entire head is rugose with punctures between the rugae. The head of the female of Temnothorax pergandei is predominantly smooth and glossy. The sculpture of the mesosoma of Temnothorax peninsularis is rugose, similar to the head. Nearly the entire mesosoma of the female of Temnothorax pergandei is smooth and glossy. This species could also be I confused with Temnothorax rugithorax, but can separated by the pedunculate petiole and the well-developed propodeal spines. We will be able to further clarify the proper placement of this species once the workers are known, but in the meantime I propose that we consider this species a member of Myrafant and of the hispidus species complex.

Distribution
Mexico: Magdalena Bay, Baja California Sur.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Mexico.

Abundance
Only known from types.

Nomenclature

 *  peninsularis. Leptothorax (Goniothorax) peninsularis Wheeler, W.M. 1934f: 134 (q.) MEXICO. Combination in Temnothorax: Bolton, 2003: 272. See also: Mackay, 2000: 386.

Type Material
Mexico. Baja California Sur. Magdalena Bay.