Temnothorax michali

In Myohyang Mts this species inhabits deciduous and mixed forests (Quercus, Acer, Pinus and Larix) at low altitudes (between 185 and 860 m a.s.l.). Nests in soil, under stones or in rotten wood. (Radchenko 2004)

Identification
Radchenko (2004) - T. michali most resembles Temnothorax kaszabi (Pisarski, 1969) and differs from it by its distinctly longer antennal scape (SI1 0.77–0.83 vs. 0.68–0.70, SI2 0.94–1.00 vs. 0.77–0.80) and the distinctly lighter gaster, which is concolourous with the alitrunk or only slightly darker, without the pale spot at the base of the first tergite (in Temnothorax kaszabi the gaster is brown, distinctly darker than the alitrunk and with a distinct pale spot at the base of the tergite). T. michali is also similar to the Japanese Temnothorax arimensis but differs from the latter by the more developed rugulosity of the head dorsum, including clypeus, by somewhat longer propodeal spines, somewhat lighter colour of the body, etc.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea.

Nomenclature

 *  michali. Temnothorax michali Radchenko, 2004: 117, figs. 16-21 (w.q.) NORTH KOREA.

Worker
Head subrectangular (CI = 1.17–1.26), with subparallel to slightly convex sides, straight occipital margin and rounded occipital corners. Anterior clypeal margin broadly rounded. Antennae 12-segmented, antennal scape relatively long, reaching or slightly surpassing the occipital margin (SI1 = 0.77– 0.83, SI2 = 0.94–1.00).

Alitrunk with convex dorsum, without metanotal groove. Propodeum with short, moderately wide basally, sharp spines (ESLI = 0.18–0.27). Humeri in dorsal view broadly rounded. Petiole distinctly longer than high (PI = 1.35–1.54), with a distinct anterior peduncle; petiolar node in profile with slightly concave anterior face and widely rounded dorsum. Postpetiole as high as the petiole or very slightly lower, subglobular.

Head dorsum usually with dense but not coarse longitudinal rugulosity, punctures developed on its sides; occasionally frons and occiput may bear only longitudinal striation and well developed punctation. Sides of pronotum longitudinally rugulose, mesopleura and propodeum with longitudinal striations and punctures, waist punctate; pronotum with not coarse reticulation, mesonotum punctate. All punctate parts of the body appear dull.

Occipital margin and dorsum of the alitrunk with moderately long, slightly curved standing hairs.

Alitrunk and waist ochreous-yellow to brownish-yellow, head dorsum brownish, darker than alitrunk; gaster of the same colour as alitrunk or only slightly darker, without light spot at the base of first tergite.

Queen
Head about as in the workers, but wider (CI = 1.12–1.14), antennal scape relatively shorter (SI1 = 0.75–0.79, SI2 = 0.86–0.88). Alitrunk relatively long and low (AI = 1.75– 1.78, SCI = 1.32–1.34). Shape of the petiole about as in the workers.

Sculpture of the head about as in the workers. Pronotum longitudinally rugulo-reticulate, mesopleura and propodeum rugulose, scutum longitudinally rugose, scutellum basally rugulose; petiole and postpetiole punctate and finely striate dorsally.

Alitrunk and waist ochreous-yellow, head dorsum darker, gaster brownish.

Type Material
Worker (holotype), North Korea, Chagang Prov., Mts Myohyang San, 630 ma.s.l., valley Jsonnama, mixed forest (Acer, Larix and Pinus), No. 151–85, nest in soil, under stone, 22.vi.1985, leg. M. Woyciechowski. Deposited in Museum and Institute of Zoology of the Polish Academy of Sciences (Warsaw, Poland); paratypes: 57 workers from the nest of the holotype.

Etymology
This species is dedicated to Prof. Michal Woyciechowski, Polish myrmecologist, who also collected this species.

Determination Clarifications
Kupyanskaya (1990) has recorded from the Russian Far East Temnothorax volgensis, a steppe species distributed from Southern Ukraine to Western Kazakhstan. According to her description, this material could belong to the newly described T. michali; yet for a definitive opinion one should examine Kupyanskaya’s material.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Guénard B., and R. R. Dunn. 2012. A checklist of the ants of China. Zootaxa 3558: 1-77.
 * Lelej A. S. 2012. Annotated catalogue of the Insects of Russian Far East. Volume 1. Hymenoptera. Dalnauka: Vladivostok. 635 p.
 * Radchenko, A. 2005. Monographic revision of the ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of North Korea. Annales Zoologici (Warsaw) 55: 127-221.