Temnothorax argentipes

This species is known from the type series, a series of workers and a queen. Nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
Radchenko (2004) - T. argentipes is most similar to Temnothorax nassonovi and differs from it by the shape of the petiole, which has a very long anterior peduncle (PI > 1.60 vs. < 1.30) and a petiolar node with narrowly rounded dorsum; by the different sculpture of the head dorsum: frons with quite coarse longitudinal, slightly sinuous rugae, remaining parts of the head dorsum coarsely reticulate, surface between the rugae not coarsely but densely punctate (in T. nassonovi the head dorsum is finely striated and densely punctate.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: China.

Nomenclature

 *  argentipes. Leptothorax argentipes Wheeler, W.M. 1928c: 25 (w.q.) CHINA.
 * [Unjustified emendation to argentipex by Wheeler, W.M. 1929g: 55 (footnote).]
 * Combination in Temnothorax: Bolton, 2003: 271.
 * Status as species: Radchenko, 1994d: 153 (in key); Radchenko, 1996c: 18; Radchenko, 2004: 121; Zhou, et al. 2010: 11 (in key).

Type Material
Radchenko (2004) - 5 workers and 1 queen, syntypes, “near Ausu, Foochow (Silvestri)”, “M.C.Z. Type 4–6 71023”, “Syntypes Leptothorax argentipes WHEELER”.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Cheng D., Z. Chen, and S. Zhou. 2015. An analysis on the ant fauna of Jinzhongshan Nature Reserve in Gunagxi, China. Journal of Guangxi Normal University: Natural Science Edition 33(3): 129.137.
 * Guénard B., and R. R. Dunn. 2012. A checklist of the ants of China. Zootaxa 3558: 1-77.
 * Skarbek C. J., M. Noack, H. Bruelheide, W. Hardtle, G. von Oheimb, T. Scholten, S. Seitz, M. Staab. 2019. A tale of scale: plot but not neighbourhood tree diversity increases leaf litter ant diversity. Journal of Animal Ecology DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13115
 * Zhou S., J.; Huang, D. Yu, and Z. Liu. 2010. Eight new species and three newly recorded species of the ant genus Temnothorax Mayr (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from the Chinese mainland, with a key. Sociobiology 56:(1): 7-26