Temnothorax rutabulafer

Occurring primarily in littoral habitats, but apparently found in lowland rainforest as well. Nest collections from North Andros island were made from small dead twigs in leaf litter, similar to the majority of species from the pulchellus and pastinifer groups. (Prebus 2021)

Identification
Prebus (2021) – A member of the pastinifer group of the Temnothorax salvini clade. Temnothorax rutabulafer can be separated from all other species in the salvini clade by the following character combination: antennal scape very long, surpassing the posterior margin of the head by about two times the maximum width of the antennal scape; dorsum of head uniformly areolate; anterior margin of clypeus weakly convex to weakly emarginate medially; transition between anterior and dorsal faces of pronotum indistinct but marked by a change in sculpture; in profile view, mesosoma strongly convex dorsally and moderately compact (WLI 131-137); in dorsal view, mesosoma posterior to the pronotum swollen, only slightly narrower than the pronotum; dorsum of propodeum with setae; in dorsal view, propodeal spines broadly approximated basally, negative space between them "U" shaped; propodeal spines longer than the propodeal declivity, directed posteriorly, and downcurved; hind femora moderately to strongly incrassate (FI 271-344); petiolar node squamiform and weakly arched anteriorly; dorsum of petiole with twelve erect setae; in dorsal view, petiolar node much broader than the caudal cylinder (PNWI >180); postpetiole very broad (PWI 234-266), with < 6 erect setae; setae on head, mesosoma, waist segments and gaster erect, moderately long, dense and blunt (never long and tapering); integument bicolored: mandibles, head capsule, mesosoma, peduncle, anterior face of petiolar node, lateral face of postpetiole, distal four tarsi, and base of gaster red; remainder of the body dark brown.

Similar species: Temnothorax misomoschus, Temnothorax subditivus, and other members of the pastinifer group. Temnothorax rutabulafer can be distinguished from T. subditivus by the sculpture of the head dorsum (uniformly areolate in Temnothorax androsanus vs. variable in T. subditivus, but never uniformly areolate), and the very broad postpetiole (PWI < 220 in T. subditivus). In contrast to T. rutabulafer, T. misomoschus is devoid of erect setae on most surfaces of the body, has a depressed propodeum, and a posteriorly leaning, subquadrate petiolar node. Temnothorax pastinifer can be separated from other members of the pastinifer group by the areolate head (smooth and shining in Temnothorax schwarzi), the abundant and dense erect setae on all surfaces of the body, and the very broad petiolar node (PNWI < 160 in all other pastinifer group species, except T. schwarzi).

Distribution
Broadly distributed in the low elevations of the Bahamas and Cuba.

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

Nomenclature

 * . Temnothorax rutabulafer Prebus, 2021: 224, figs. 121D, 125 (w.dq.m.) CUBA.

Worker
(n = 14): SL = 0.555-0.688 (0.639); FRS = 0.170-0.242 (0.192); CW = 0.536-0.728 (0.660); CWb = 0.488-0.676 (0.607); PoOC = 0.224-0.308 (0.276); CL = 0.579-0.752 (0.690); EL = 0.115-0.160 (0.142); EW = 0.090-0.123 (0.107); MD = 0.149-0.203 (0.183); WL = 0.654-0.899 (0.816); SPST = 0.290-0.406 (0.353); MPST = 0.230-0.300 (0.273); PEL = 0.279-0.361 (0.327); NOL = 0.128-0.199 (0.170); NOH = 0.126-0.204 (0.174); PEH = 0.219-0.297 (0.268); PPL = 0.145-0.208 (0.178); PPH = 0.165-0.265 (0.231); PW = 0.402-0.558 (0.500); SBPA = 0.152-0.260 (0.218); SPTI = 0.233-0.408 (0.318); PEW = 0.115-0.172 (0.153); PNW = 0.223-0.367 (0.303); PPW = 0.292-0.427 (0.377); HFL = 0.563-0.749 (0.663); HFWmax = 0.152-0.195 (0.173); HFWmin = 0.050-0.062 (0.057); CS = 0.778-1.052 (0.951); ES = 0.160-0.222 (0.195); SI = 100-114 (106); OI = 20-21 (21); CI = 84-90 (88); WLI = 131-137 (135); SBI = 31-40 (36); PSI = 40-48 (43); PWI = 234-266 (247); PLI = 160-208 (185); NI = 89-133 (98); PNWI = 178-224 (198); NLI = 42-57 (52); FI = 271-344 (302).

In full-face view, head subquadrate, longer than broad (CI 84-90). Mandibles densely, finely striate, but shining and armed with five teeth: the apical-most well developed and acute, followed by a less developed preapical tooth and three equally developed smaller teeth. Anterior clypeal margin weakly convex to weakly emarginate medially. Antennal scapes very long: when fully retracted, surpassing the posterior margin of the head capsule by about three times the maximum width of the antennal scape (SI 100-14). Antennae 12-segmented; antennal club of composed of three segments, with the apical-most segment slightly longer than the preceding two in combination. Torular laminae not strongly developed: narrower than the distance that separates them. Frontal carinae short, extending past the antennal toruli by about the maximum width of the antennal scape. Lateral margin of head weakly convex, forming a continuous arc from the mandibular insertions to the posterior margin of the head. Posterior head margin flat but rounding evenly into the lateral margins. Compound eyes moderately protruding past the lateral margins of the head capsule.

In profile view, compound eyes ovular and moderately large (OI 20-21), with 15 ommatidia in the longest row. Pronotal declivity indistinct, but transition from the anterior to dorsal faces of the pronotum marked by a change in sculpture, from finely areolate to longitudinally rugose; neck and anterior face of pronotum forming a ~120° angle. Mesosoma evenly convex from where it joins the pronotal neck to the propodeal spines. Promesonotal suture extending from the posterior margin of the procoxal insertion only to the mesothoracic spiracle, which is well developed. Metanotal groove visible as a faint disruption of the sculpture laterally from where it arises between the mid- and hind coxae to where it ends in the poorly developed metathoracic spiracle, which is nearly indistinguishable from the ground sculpture. Propodeal spiracle well developed, directed posteriorly, and separated from the propodeal declivity by about two and a half spiracle diameters. Propodeal spines well developed (PSI 40-48), longer than the propodeal declivity, tapering evenly from the base, directed straight posteriorly, slightly upcurved at the tips in some specimens, and acute. Propodeal declivity flat, forming a rounded ~70° angle with the base of the propodeal spines. Propodeal lobes rounded and weakly developed. Metapleural gland bulla small, extending from the metacoxal insertion halfway to the propodeal spiracle. Petiole moderately long (PLI 160-208), without tubercles anterodorsally. Subpetiolar process in the form of a small, blunt tooth; ventral margin of petiole bulging slightly immediately anterior to where the petiolar node arises. Petiolar peduncle moderately long: petiolar node comprising about a third of the petiolar dorsum. Petiolar node strongly squamiform: transition between peduncle and node abrupt: marked by a rounded angle of ~90°; anterior face of the node is strongly concave and overhangs the peduncle; anterior face forming a ~90° angle with the very short dorsal face, which rounds evenly into the convex posterior face. Postpetiole evenly convex anterodorsally, and convex ventrally.

In dorsal view, humeri moderately well developed: evenly rounded and slightly wider than the rest of the mesosoma; mesothoracic spiracles protruding past the lateral margins of the mesosoma, visible as angles where the pronotum meets the mesonotum. Promesonotal suture visible as a slight disruption in the surface sculpture. Metanotal groove absent: mesonotum and propodeum completely fused and lateral margins converging evenly to the bases of the propodeal spines. Propodeal spines broadly approximated basally and strongly diverging in basally, becoming parallel apically before slightly diverging again at the tips. Apices of the propodeal spines separated from each other by about three quarters of their length, the negative space between them "U" shaped. Petiolar peduncle with spiracles weakly protruding past the lateral margins, but not noticeably constricted anterior to them. When viewed posterodorsally, the petiolar node spade-shaped as in Temnothorax pastinifer, but very broad transversely, nearly twice as wide as the caudal cylinder at its broadest point. Postpetiole very broad (PWI 234-266), anteroposteriorly compressed, and campaniform, articulating with the nearly the entire anterior margin of the gaster, but leaving angulate corners of the gaster exposed on each side. Anterior margin of the postpetiole broadly convex and evenly rounds into the lateral margins, which diverge slightly to the angulate posterior corners; posterior margin broadly concave. Metafemur moderately to strongly incrassate (FI 271-344).

Sculpture: median clypeal carina present, extending posteriorly nearly to the frontal triangle, and flanked on either side by two slightly weaker carinae. Lateral clypeal lobes with additional, weaker carinae; ground sculpture areolate. Antennal scapes densely areolate. All surfaces of the head densely areolate with costulae, but sculpture becomes weaker ventrally. Mesosoma uniformly densely areolate, but lateral face of the pronotum and dorsum of mesosoma with strong rugae; lateral face of the propodeum, meso- and metapleurae with areolae arranged into rows by costulae. Femora areolate and opaque. Petiole shining through weak areolate sculpture on nearly all surfaces, but base and dorsolateral portions of the petiolar node more densely areolate and appearing dull. Postpetiole weakly shining though shallow areolate sculpture. Gaster smooth and shining, but with moderately strong spectral iridescence on the first gastral tergite and sternite.

Setae: antennal scapes and funiculi with short, decumbent pilosity. Dorsum of the head, pronotum, waist segments, and gaster with abundant, erect, blunt-tipped setae, the longest of which are about the length of the compound eye. The head dorsum bears ~68, dorsum of mesosoma ~66, petiole 12, postpetiole ~34, and first gastral tergite ~110 setae. Short, sparse pubescence present over the entire body, but difficult to detect against the dense ground sculpture.

Color: mandibles, head capsule, mesosoma, peduncle, anterior face of petiolar node, lateral face of postpetiole, distal four tarsi, and base of gaster red; remainder of the body dark brown.

Queen
(n = 2): SL = 0.679-0.685 (0.682); FRS = 0.225-0.239 (0.232); CW = 0.789-0.812 (0.801); CWb = 0.731-0.751 (0.741); PoOC = 0.291-0.309 (0.300); CL = 0.774-0.776 (0.775); EL = 0.198-0.199 (0.199); EW = 0.147-0.152 (0.150); MD = 0.179-0.190 (0.185); WL = 1.263-1.280 (1.272); SPST = 0.338-0.386 (0.362); MPST = 0.336-0.339 (0.338); PEL = 0.397-0.421 (0.409); NOL = 0.197-0.203 (0.200); NOH = 0.171-0.183 (0.177); PEH = 0.317-0.360 (0.339); PPL = 0.200-0.233 (0.217); PPH = 0.336-0.349 (0.343); PW = 0.793-0.828 (0.811); SBPA = 0.408-0.442 (0.425); SPTI = 0.374-0.428 (0.401); PEW = 0.204-0.218 (0.211); PNW = 0.276-0.300 (0.288); PPW = 0.529-0.552 (0.541); HFL = 0.772-0.780 (0.776); HFWmax = 0.159-0.160 (0.160); HFWmin = 0.063-0.070 (0.067); CS = 1.118-1.139 (1.129); ES = 0.273-0.274 (0.273); SI = 90-94 (92); OI = 24-25 (24); CI = 94-97 (96); WLI = 168-175 (172); SBI = 56-59 (57); PSI = 26-31 (28); PWI = 253-259 (256); PLI = 181-199 (190); NI = 108-119 (113); PNWI = 135-138 (136); NLI = 47-51 (49); FI = 227-254 (241).

In full-face view, head subquadrate, about as long as broad (CI 94-97). Mandibles densely, finely striate, but shining and armed with five teeth: the apical-most well developed, followed by a less developed preapical tooth and three equally developed smaller teeth. Anterior clypeal margin flat medially. Antennal scapes very long: when fully retracted, surpassing the posterior margin of the head capsule by about two times the maximum width of the scape (SI 90-94). Antennae 12-segmented; antennal club composed of three segments, with the apical-most segment slightly longer than the preceding two in combination. Torular laminae not strongly developed: narrower than the distance that separates them. Frontal carinae moderately short, extending past the antennal toruli by about two times the maximum width of the antennal scape. Compound eyes moderately protruding past the lateral margins of the head capsule. Lateral margin of head evenly convex, converging from below the compound eyes to the mandibular insertions. Posterior head margin flat, rounding evenly into the lateral margins.

In profile view, compound eyes ovular and moderately large (OI 24-25), with 16 ommatidia in longest row. Mesoscutum rounded evenly anteriorly, covering the dorsal surface of the pronotum, and weakly convex dorsally. Mesoscutellum slightly depressed below the level of the mesoscutum. Posterior margin of metanotum extending slightly past the posterior margin of the mesoscutum. Propodeal spiracle well developed, directed posterolaterally, and separated from the propodeal declivity by about two and a half spiracle diameters. Propodeal spines stout, well developed, and moderately long (PSI 26-31), about as long as the propodeal declivity, tapering evenly from the base, directed posteriorly, straight, and blunt. Propodeal declivity weakly concave, forming a rounded ~100° angle with the base of the propodeal spines. Propodeal lobes rounded and very weakly developed. Metapleural gland bulla small, extending from the metacoxal insertion halfway to the propodeal spiracle. Petiole moderately long (PLI 181-199), with weakly developed tubercles anterodorsally. Subpetiolar process in the form of a small, acute tooth; ventral margin of petiole bulging slightly posterior to it. Petiolar peduncle moderately long: petiolar node comprising about a third of the petiolar dorsum. Petiolar node strongly squamiform, but not as extreme as in the worker: transition between peduncle and node abrupt: marked by a rounded angle of ~110°; anterior face of the node is strongly concave but does not overhang the peduncle; anterior face forming a ~90° angle with the very short dorsal face, which rounds evenly into the convex posterior face. Postpetiole evenly rounded anterodorsally, bulging slightly before it transitions into the flattened dorsal face; ventral surface weakly lobed.

In dorsal view, mesoscutum covering pronotum anteriorly, but humeri visible laterally as rounded sclerites. Propodeal spines weakly diverging apically, their apices separated from each other by about one and a half times their length. Petiolar peduncle with spiracles strongly protruding past the lateral margins, but not noticeably constricted anterior to them. When viewed posterodorsally, the petiolar node spade-shaped but not as transversely broad as in the worker; dorsal margin weakly emarginated. Postpetiole very broad (PWI 253-259), anteroposteriorly compressed, and campaniform, articulating with most of the anterior margin of the gaster, leaving small, angulate margins on each side exposed. Anterior margin of postpetiole broadly convex and evenly rounding into the lateral margins, which diverge to the angulate posterior corners; posterior margin broadly concave. Metafemur weakly to moderately incrassate (FI 227-254).

Sculpture: median clypeal carina present, extending from the anterior margin nearly to frontal triangle, and flanked by three weaker carinae on each side. Lateral clypeal lobes with additional weaker carinae; ground sculpture areolate. Antennal scapes densely areolate. All surfaces of the head densely areolate and costulate, but sculpture becomes weaker ventrally. Nearly all surfaces of the mesosoma densely areolate, with costulae overlying the ground sculpture, but mesopleurae, lateral face of the propodeum, and propodeal declivity lack costulae. Femora appearing dull and shallowly areolate. Petiole shining through weak areolate sculpture on most surfaces, but the posterior face and base of the petiolar node dull, with denser areolae. Postpetiole sculpture matching that of the posterior face of the petiolar node. Gaster with shallow areolate sculpture on the basal third of the first gastral tergite, which is otherwise smooth and shining, with weak to moderate spectral iridescence; first gastral sternite smooth and shining, with moderate spectral iridescence. First gastral sternite smooth and shining with weak spectral iridescence.

Setae: antennal scapes and funiculi with short, decumbent pilosity. Dorsum of the head, pronotum, waist segments, and gaster with abundant, erect, blunt-tipped setae, the longest of which are about half the length of the compound eye. Short, sparse pubescence present over the entire body, but difficult to detect against the dense ground sculpture.

Color: mandibles, head capsule, mesosoma, peduncle, anterior face of petiolar node, lateral face of postpetiole, distal four tarsi, and base of gaster red; mesopleurae and ventral half of propodeum dark brown, and mesoscutum with dark brown patches anteromedially and posterolaterally.

Male
(n = 2): SL = 0.194-0.212 (0.203); FRS = 0.103-0.160 (0.132); CW = 0.585-0.601 (0.593); CWb = 0.508-0.524 (0.516); PoOC = 0.225-0.245 (0.235); CL = 0.512-0.521 (0.517); EL = 0.214-0.237 (0.226); EW = 0.172-0.172 (0.172); MD = 0.062-0.069 (0.066); WL = 0.916-0.938 (0.927); SPST = n/a; MPST = 0.216-0.227 (0.222); PEL = 0.255-0.260 (0.258); NOL = 0.156-0.183 (0.170); NOH = 0.041-0.050 (0.046); PEH = 0.131-0.134 (0.133); PPL = 0.147-0.151 (0.149); PPH = 0.172-0.177 (0.175); PW = 0.446-0.458 (0.452); SBPA = n/a; SPTI = n/a; PEW = 0.122-0.126 (0.124); PNW = 0.129-0.146 (0.138); PPW = 0.305-0.322 (0.314); HFL = 0.766-0.830 (0.798); HFWmax = 0.070-0.082 (0.076); HFWmin = 0.039-0.042 (0.041); CS = 0.769-0.780 (0.774); ES = 0.300-0.323 (0.312); SI = 38-40 (39); OI = 38-42 (40); CI = 98-102 (100); WLI = 179-180 (180); SBI = n/a; PSI = n/a; PWI = 242-264 (253); PLI = 172-173 (173); NI = 312-446 (379); PNWI = 102-120 (111); NLI = 60-72 (66); FI = 167-210 (188).

In full-face view, head subovate, about as long as broad (CI 98-102). Mandibles smooth and shining and armed with two teeth: the apical-most well developed and acute, followed by a smaller preapical tooth and a series of weak crenulae. Anterior clypeal margin entire and flat. Antennal scapes short: when fully retracted, failing to reach the posterior margin of the head capsule by about their length (SI 38-40). Antennae 13-segmented; antennal club composed of four segments, with the apical-most segment longer than the preceding two in combination. Frontal carinae short, extending past the antennal toruli by two times the maximum width of the antennal scape. Compound eyes strongly protruding past the lateral margins of the head capsule. Posterior and lateral head margins indistinct, forming an even convexity.

In profile view, compound eyes ovular and large (OI 38-42), with 20 ommatidia in the longest row. Mesoscutum slightly bulging anteriorly, but not completely covering the dorsal surface of the pronotum, evenly convex from where it joins the petiolar neck to the mesoscutellum. Mesoscutellum depressed slightly below the level of the mesoscutum; posterior margin overhanging the posterior margin of the metanotum. Propodeal spiracle well developed, directed posterolaterally, and separated from the propodeal declivity by about three spiracle diameters. Propodeal spines absent. Propodeal lobes rounded and weakly developed. Metapleural gland bulla small, extending a third of the way between the insertion of the metacoxa and the propodeal spiracle. Petiole moderately long (PLI 172-173), with weakly developed tubercles anterodorsally. Subpetiolar process a weakly developed, blunt triangular tooth. Petiolar peduncle very long: comprising two thirds of the total length of the petiole. Petiolar node low and rounded, the convergence of the anterior and dorsal faces marked by a rounded angle. Postpetiole evenly rounded anterodorsally, flattened dorsally, and with a lobed, concave ventral surface.

In dorsal view, mesoscutum not completely covering pronotum anteriorly: juncture of the pronotal neck and the humeri visible. Petiolar peduncle with spiracles strongly protruding past the lateral margins, the peduncle broadened where they arise. Petiolar node wider than the peduncle; petiole narrowing posterior to the node, before widening again to the caudal cylinder, which is about the same width as the node. Postpetiole very broad (PWI 242-264) and campaniform, articulating with most of the anterior margin of the gaster. Anterior margin of postpetiole convex, the anterior corners evenly rounding into the lateral margins, which evenly diverge to the angulate posterior corners; posterior margin of postpetiole flat. Metafemur not incrassate (FI 167-210).

Sculpture: clypeal carinae indistinguishable from the areolate ground sculpture. Antennal scapes smooth and shining. Head areolate, with weak costulae. Pronotum areolate, but with smooth patches dorsolaterally. Katepisternum mostly smooth and shining, but with areolate sculpture where it joins the anepisternum. Anepisternum with the anterior half smooth and shining; posterior half is areolate. Ventral half of the metapleuron smooth and shining; dorsal half areolate. Propodeum areolate on all surfaces. Mesoscutum with two broad strips of smooth and shining sculpture anteriorly, which flank a patch of finely areolate sculpture medially; the two strips converge posteriorly and extend to the border with the mesoscutellum; two broad patches of smooth and shining sculpture flank the Mayrian furrows; otherwise mesoscutum is finely areolate. Mesoscutellum densely areolate and costulate. Femora smooth and shining, with traces weak areolate sculpture distally. Petiole with shallow areolate sculpture at the base of the petiolar node, otherwise smooth and shining. Dorsal surface of postpetiole shining, with traces of areolate sculpture posteromedially. Gaster smooth and shining, without traces of spectral iridescence.

Setae: antennal scapes and funiculi with short, decumbent pilosity. Dorsum of the head, pronotum, waist segments, and gaster with abundant, erect, blunt-tipped setae, the longest of which are about a third of the length of the compound eye. Short, sparse pubescence present over the entire body, but difficult to detect against the dense ground sculpture.

Color: antennal funiculi testaceous yellow. Antennal scapes, mandibles, and legs light yellow, nearly white. Head capsule, Mayrian furrows, mesoscutellum, and propodeum dark brown. Remainder of body testaceous.

Type Material
Holotype worker: CUBA: Cienfuegos: Soledad, 20 November 1927, W.S. Creighton, (CASENT0758266, middle specimen on pin).

Paratype workers, gyne, and male: same pin as holotype, 2 workers (top and bottom specimens on pin) [USNM]; same data as holotype: 1 dealate gyne, 1 male, 1 worker (CASENT0758230) [USNM] 34 workers (CASENT0758277-89) [USNM] 3 workers (MCZENT00581833).

Etymology
Morphological, from the Latin ʻrutabulum' (= ladle) + ʻ-fer' (= bearing), in reference to the shape of the petiole.