Temnothorax punctatissimus

Mackay (2000) - The holotype was captured in a pitfall trap, the paratype in a Vienna sausage baited trap on the soil surface. The habitat was a very steep, south-facing slope of a mountain, covered with oak trees. The two specimens were collected about 50 meters distant from one another.

Identification
Mackay (2000) - This species is easily recognized as nearly the entire ant (except ventral surface of head and the gaster) is covered with dense, coarse punctures. Some of the punctures, especially those on dorsum of head, are in rows which nearly form poorly defined striae. The antenna has 12 segments, the propodeal spines are small, and the petiolar node is usually blunt, rounded and somewhat truncate as seen in profile. The subpetiolar process is well developed and sharp. The hairs on the mesosoma are blunt and a few are nearly spatulate.

This species is superficially similar to 3 other species: Temnothorax punctatissimus (andersoni species complex), Temnothorax punctaticeps (hispidus species complex), and Temnothorax terrigena (andrei species complex). Leptothorax punctaticeps can be easily separated, as it is considerably larger than the other two species (see key and descriptions). Temnothorax punctatissimus and Temnothorax terrigena are more difficult to distinguish. Temnothorax punctatissimus is slightly larger and the erect hairs are finer, especially obvious when comparing the hairs of the petiole. Additionally the propodeal spines of Temnothorax terrigena are small, but are developed into spines, whereas the propodeal angles of Temnothorax punctatissimus are very poorly developed.

Distribution
Mexico: Nuevo Leon.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Mexico.

Habitat
Oak forest.

Abundance
Only known from types.

Nomenclature

 *  punctatissimus. Leptothorax (Myrafant) punctatissimus Mackay, W.P., 2000: 390, figs. 40, 150 (w.q.) MEXICO. Combination in Temnothorax: Bolton, 2003: 272.

Worker
Mandibles apparently with 5 teeth; anterior border of clypeus convex and broadly rounded, clypeus with about 12 carinae, including a medial carina; vertex straight; eyes small; mesosoma with none of the sutures breaking surface sculpture; propodeal angles very small, consisting of tiny angles; petiole with well developed subpetiolar tooth, directed slightly anteriorly; petiolar node blunt and rounded in profile.

Erect hairs blunt, up to 0.lmm in length, scattered on most surfaces, except scapes and legs, where they are much finer and nearly decumbent.

Sculpture very characteristic of this species: entire ant, with the exception of the ventral surface of the head and the gaster, is evenly and densely covered with coarse punctures.

Color: yellowish brown, gaster with darker, transverse band on posterior third of first tergum, head with dorsum noticeably darker. especially when viewed from side.

Worker measurement (mm): HL 0.55-0.64. HW 0.49-0.53, SL 0.43-0.47. EL 0.10-0.12. WL 0.64-0.70. PW 0.17-0.18. PL 0.20-0.22. PPW 0.20-0.24. PPL 0.17-0.19. Indices: CI 83-89. SI 73-78. PI 77-90. PPI 118-126.

Queen
Similar to worker in most aspects, dorsum of head finely rugose, top of mesosoma With parallel, longitudinal striae, propodeal spines consisting ofsimple angles, node of petiole With transverse rugae, node of postpetiole punctate, petioler node as seen from side with moderately sharp apex.

Female (dealate) measurements (mm): HL 0.64, HW 0.55, SL 0.44, EL0.18, WL0.91, PW0.18, PL0.15, PPW0.29, PPL0.18. Indices: CI 87, SI 70,PI 120, PPI 160.

Type Material
MEXICO, Nuevo Leon: EI Salto (Zaragosa), 11-vi-1988, 1415 meters, W. Mackay, 5 paratype workers and 1 paratype female (MCZC), MEXICO, Nuevo Leon, Monterrey, Parque Chipinque, vii/ix-1989, J. Garcia. Holotype worker (MCZC, #11013-5) and paratype worker (CWEM, # 11009-10).

Etymology
Morphological, for the densely punctured body surfaces.