Temnothorax liviae

Specimens of Temnothorax liviae were collected in a pitfall trap from Baynunah, a sandy desert in United Arab Emirates (UAE). The species is known only from its type locality (Sharaf et al., 2017).

Identification
Collingwood et al. (2011) - The general appearance is somewhat like Temnothorax cenatus but the species differs in the relatively larger eyes, longer coarser propodeal spines and the less angulate petiole. It is a larger species than the known North African or Iberian large-eyed desert species (Temnothorax laurae Emery, 1884 species group) and has a wider head, distinct longitudinal sculpture on the dorsum of the head, and fewer erect hairs on head and alitrunk than Temnothorax arenarius. The queen has features similar to the worker but the mesonotum is less coarsely sculptured. Worker specimens taken from under stones in the Buraimi area in the vicinity of trees are smaller than the holotype (TL 2.9-3.0) but have similar body structure and colour.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: United Arab Emirates.

Nomenclature

 *  liviae. Leptothorax liviae Agosti & Collingwood, in Collingwood, et al. 2011: 430, pl. 44-46, figs. 36, 37 (w.q.) UNITED ARAB EMIRATES.
 * Combination in Temnothorax: Sharaf et al., 2017: 6.

Worker
Holotype. Total length 4.2; head length 1.0 I; head width 0.87; scape length 0.91; cephalic index 86.1; scape index 104.6; eye length/head width 0.46. Mandibles weakly striate, head strongly striate, frontal triangle clear; alitrunk dorsum and petiole strongly striate, postpetiole striae restricted to dorsum; gaster shining. Frontal laminae prominent and expanded anterolaterally; eyes enormous, nearly half head length; scape relatively long, slightly over-reaching occipital border. Alitrunk dorsal outline with distinct metanotal furrow, but impression shallow. Propodeal spines long and pointed; petiole profile with rounded subangulate dorsum and blunt anterolateral tooth. Dorsal hairs rather short, ventral head hairs long and curved but not crowded. Gaster with short oblique hairs over whole surface. Colour evenly light brown with pale legs and antennae.

Queen
Sharaf & Akbar (2017) - EL 0.35; FRS 0.27; HFL 0.85; HFW 0.14; HL 1.01; HW 0.75; IOD 0.67; OMD 0.21; IOcD 0.19; PPTL 0.29; PPTH 0.27; PPTW 0.45; PTL 0.50; PTH 0.40; PTW 0.28; SPST 0.32; PW 0.57; SL 0.87; WL 1.24; CI 74; OI 46; FI 113; PI 49; PSLI 31; SI 80 (n=1).

Head and body. Similar to the workers from the same colony but larger, with thicker body, especially mesosoma and gaster. Ocelli present, prominent. Pilosity is much more prominent compared to the workers.

Type Material
Holotype: worker, United Arab Emirates, Baynunah sand desert [23°40'N 53°00'E], ii-iii.1995, in pitfall trap. leg. B. Tigar & C.A. Collingwood. Paratypes: 1 worker, same locality as holotype but 3.xii.1994. coll. B. Tigar. 1 worker, Buraimi, 16.iii.1995, leg. B. Tigar & CAC. 1worker, al-Ain, 13.iii.2005,.

Etymology
This new species is dedicated to Livia Leu Agosti, wife of Donat Agosti.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Collingwood C. A., D. Agosti, M. R. Sharaf, A. Van Harten, 2011. Order Hymenoptera, family Formicidae. Arthropod Fauna of the UAE 4: 405-474
 * Sharaf M. R., S. A. Akbar, H. M. Al Dhafer, A. El-Gharbawy, and A. S. Aldawood. 2017. Taxonomy of the Myrmicine ant genus Temnothorax Mayr, 1861 (Formicidae: Myrmicinae) in the Arabian Peninsula. European Journal of Taxonomy 280: 1–17.