Temnothorax chandleri

Little is know about this species. The type series was collected in oak leaf litter. A second collection was made from a rotten log in a riparian woodland bordering a lake.

Identification
Mackay (2000) - A member of the Temnothorax tricarinatus species complex. This is a small, light brown species with a 12-segmented antenna, in which the apex of the petiolar node is very sharp. The dorsum of the head is punctate and striate, except for a central strip, which is smooth and shining. The mesosoma, petiole and postpetiole are completely punctate, with a few rugulae on the dorsum of the mesosoma.

This species is closely related to Temnothorax mariposa (=nitens), differing in that most of the head is sculptured, whereas the head of Temnothorax mariposa is nearly entirely smooth and shining.

Distribution
USA. California.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Nearctic Region: United States.

Habitat
The type series was collected in oak leaf litter on the margin of a slough. A second collection was made from a riparian woodland bordering a lake.

Abundance
Only known from a few collections.

Nomenclature

 *  chandleri. Leptothorax (Myrafant) chandleri Mackay, W.P., 2000: 330, figs. 35, 99 (w.) U.S.A. Combination in Temnothorax: Bolton, 2003: 271.

Worker
Mandibles with apparently 5 teeth (mandibles closed), 3 apical most teeth well formed, 2 basal most teeth poorly developed; anterior border of clypeus convex, clypeus with several carinae, including medial carina; vertex concave; eyes extending past sides of head; scape failing to reach occipital comers by about first 2 funicular segments; mesosoma without impressions at sutures; propodeum with pair of well developed teeth; petiole with very sharp apex (Fig. 99), anterior petiolar face slightly concave, posterior face slightly convex. Erect hairs sparse, most with blunt tips, some nearly spatulate, especially on mesosoma; decumbent pubescence sparse. Sculpture of dorsum of head consisting of punctures mixed with longitudinal striae, only central strip free of sculpture, concentric whorls posterior to insertions of 5' antennae, mesosoma mostly punctate, dorsum with a few rugulae, dorsal face of propodeum punctate, posterior face with transverse striae, sides and tops of petiole and postpetiole punctate, gaster glossy and shining.

Color: light yellow brown.

Measurements: HL 0.67-0.70, HW 0.53-0.62, SL 0.520.53, EL 0.16-0.17, WL 0.68-0.72, PW 0.16-0.18, PL 0.13-0.14, PPW 0.21-0.23, PPL 0.14-0.16. Indices: CI 79-89, SI 76-78, PI 114-138, PPI 144-150.

Queen
No Queens known for this species.

Male
No Males known for this species.

Type Material
USA: California, Tehama Co., Red Bluff, Samson Slough, 29-iv, 9-v-1984, D. S. Chandler. Holotype worker - MCZC 2 paratype workers - University of New Hampshire,

Etymology
Patronym. "Named in honor of my friend, Dr. Donald Chandler, who collected the type series, as well as many other interesting ants."

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Mackay W. P. 2000. A review of the New World ants of the subgenus Myrafant, (genus Leptothorax) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Sociobiology 36: 265-444.
 * Snelling R.R., M. L. Borowiec, and M. M. Prebus. 2014. Studies on California ants: a review of the genus Temnothorax (Hymenoptera, Formicidae). ZooKeys 372: 2789. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.372.6039