New World Temnothorax species groups

The species groups detailed here are based on MacKay, W. P. 2000. A review of the New World ants of the subgenus Myrafant, (genus Leptothorax) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Sociobiology. 36:265-444.

This revision was done before most species of Leptothorax were moved to the genus Temnothorax and have been adjusted accordingly.

Temnothorax andersoni species complex
Members of this species complex can be recognized by the 12-segmented antenna and by the often broadly rounded petiolar node. The postpetiole is occasionally widened, as compared to the petiole. The clypeus has several carinae, with the medial carina being only slightly more prominent than the others. The region next to the medial carina has smaller carinae, and is usually not smooth and shiny. Members include T. andersoni, T. bestetmeyeri, T. bicolor, T. liebi, T. lindae, T. ocellatus, and T. punctatissimus. This complex is closely related to the tricarinahts species complex, which has 3 major carinae on the clypeus, including a sharp, well-defined medial carina and two lateral carinae, which converge anteriorly (specifically T. carinatus, T. cokendolpheri, T. gallae and T. rugulosus).


 * Temnothorax andersoni
 * Temnothorax bestelmeyeri
 * Temnothorax bicolor
 * Temnothorax liebi
 * Temnothorax lindae = Temnothorax nevadensis
 * Temnothorax ocellatus = Temnothorax andrei
 * Temnothorax punctatissimus

Temnothorax andrei species complex
Members of this species complex can be recognized as the medial clypeal carina is poorly developed, the lateral carinae are well developed or several are present. The surface of the clypeus is convex. The antennae has 12 segments. The anterior and posterior faces of the petiole are nearly parallel, and the top of the node is usually rounded or truncate. The subpeduncular process is nearly always small and poorly developed. The propodeal spines are small and usually consist of only feeble angles or small spines. Members of the species complex include T. andrei, T. bristoli, T. manni, and T. terrigena. Some of the members of the tricarinatus-complex may be confused with members of the andrei-complex (T. bestelmeyeri, T. brevispinosus, T. furunculus, T. mexicanus, T. neomexicanus, and T. punctithorax and are included in the key.


 * Temnothorax andrei
 * Temnothorax bristoli
 * ''Temnothorax manni
 * Temnothorax terrigena

Temnothorax emmae species complex
Members of this species complex can be recognized by an 11-segmented antenna, a thickened, blunt, rounded petiolar node, and that the dorsum of the head is partially smooth and shining with fine striae. The suprapeduncular process is well developed, with a curved dorsal surface. These characters, in addition to the 11-segmented antenna, will easily separate this complex from the andersoni complex in which the shape of the node is similar. Members include T. emmae new species and T. whitfordi new species.


 * Temnothorax emmae
 * Temnothorax whitfordi

The species can be differentiated by the following characters:


 * Bicolored (head and gaster dark, mesosoma, petiole, and postpetiole red); dorsum of mesosoma with longitudinal striae . . . . . Temnothorax emmae


 * Concolorous dark brown (mesosoma rarely lighter in color); mesosoma without prominent longitudinal striae . . . . . Temnothorax whitfordi

Temnothorax hispidus species complex
Members of this species complex are large (over 3mm total length), and can be recognized by the pedunculate petiole. The node of petiole is broadly rounded or truncate, and thickened as seen in profile. The propodeal spines are small. The eyes are small, the minimum diameter is about ½ to 2/3 the distance between the anterior border of the eye and the base of mandible. The head and mesosoma are coarsely sculptured with rugae or coarse striae, the intrarugal spaces are densely and coarsely punctate. The hispidus complex is a Mexican group, with a single species (T. hispidus ) which barely enters the southern United States.
 * Temnothorax hispidus
 * Temnothorax peninsularis
 * Temnothorax punctaticeps

Temnothorax longispinosus species complex
Members of this species complex can be recognized by the 11-segmented antenna, the petiolar node is obliquely truncate and sloping posteriorly, the mesosoma is roughly sculptured in most species, and the head is roughly sculptured in some of the species, smooth and shining in others. The clypeus has a single medial carina and 2 prominent lateral carinae, as well as additional carinae. It could be confused with the tricarinatus species complex, but differs in having a 11-segmented antenna.


 * Temnothorax josephi
 * Temnothorax longispinosus
 * Temnothorax rugatulus
 * Temnothorax tuscaloosae