Lasius flavescens

Pashaei Rad et al. (2018) found this species in Iran on the ground in a moist forest.

Identification
Seifert (2020) - L. flavescens cannot be allocated to a certain species complex. It stands alone as an unmistakable combination of a very hirsute body and appendages, very sparse clypeal pubescence, small torulo-clypeal distance, short terminal segment of maxillary palps, short scape and a strong yellow component in mesosomal color. There is much variation in the material suggesting that more than one species could be involved. Bright yellowish specimens with a longer scape, smaller torulo-clypeal distance and more dilute frontal and genal pubescence were observed in more southwestern parts of the range whereas darker specimens with smaller SL/CS900 (Seifert 2020 Lasius characters), larger dClAn900 and slightly denser pubescence show a more northwestern distribution. However, samples for which most standard characters have been recorded are too few. The taxonomic problem has to be re-considered by future investigators after more samples are available.

Distribution
Seifert (2020) - Known from an area of 200 000 km² covering NE Afghanistan (37°N, 71°E) and the western parts of the Tian Shan mountains north and south of the Ferghana Valley with the westernmost and easternmost points at 39°N, 67°E and 41.6°N, 75.0°E. The altitudinal records vary between 2040 and 3600 m.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: Afghanistan, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan.

Biology
Tarbinsky (1976), Seifert (2020) - Tarbinsky reported Lasius flavescens to be abundant in Kyrgyzstan, to occur there at elevations of 1600–3200 m in Ferula-Prangos steppes, high-grassy meadows in the fir forest zone and in meadows of the subalpine zone. The nests are populous and frequently found under stones. Tarbinsky called the species a ”typical geobiont“ but accessory epigaeous activity is indicated by eye size which is clearly larger than in subterranean species such as Lasius austriacus or much larger than in the subterranean subgenera Chthonolasius, Cautolasius or Austrolasius.

Nomenclature

 *  flavescens. Lasius niger r. flavescens Forel, 1904b: 386 (w.) UZBEKISTAN. Ruzsky, 1905b: 304 (q.). Junior synonym of niger: Wilson, 1955a: 59. Revived from synonymy and raised to species: Collingwood, 1961a: 72. See also: Dlussky, 1962: 181; Tarbinsky, 1976: 136; Seifert, 1992b: 26.

Description
Seifert (2020) - Absolute size rather small (CS 844 µm). Head length index rather low (CL/CW900 1.068); scape short (SL/ CS900 0.932); postocular distance medium (PoOc/CL900 0.238); torulo-clypeal distance low (dClAn900 3.50); eye size medium (EYE/CS900 0.242); terminal segment of maxillary palp very short (MP6/CS900 0.161). Number of mandibular dents medium (MaDe900 8.23). Pubescence on clypeus very sparse (sqPDCL900 5.18); frontal pubescence long (PLF900 36.4). All body parts with very numerous standing setae of medium length (PnHL/ CS900 0.139, GuHL/CS900 0.115, nGu900 14.1, nSc900 23.9, nHT900 27.9). Coloration: polymorphous but in overall impression always with a strong yellow component. The lighter specimens have the whole body more or less concolorous clear yellow to light yellowish brown. The darker specimens are more bicolored with head and gaster brown with a yellow component and have a lighter yellowish brown mesosoma.

See table 5 in Seifert 2020 for additional morphometrics. The abbreviated names of various quantitative data shown above are defined here: Seifert 2020 Lasius characters.

Type Material
Seifert (2020) - Two type workers labelled ”Sardym, r. Gunt, Shugnan, v. Byx. Kaznak. 16VIII97“ (printed label in Kyrillic), ”L. niger flavescens For type Buchara“, ”ANTWEB CASENT 0911048“, depository:.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Guénard B., and R. R. Dunn. 2012. A checklist of the ants of China. Zootaxa 3558: 1-77.
 * Pashaei Rad S., B. Taylor, R. Torabi, E. Aram, G. Abolfathi, R. Afshari, F. Borjali, M. Ghatei, F. Hediary, F. Jazini, V. Heidary Kiah, Z. Mahmoudi, F. Safariyan, and M. Seiri. 2018. Further records of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Iran. Zoology in the Middle East 64(2): 145-159.
 * Pisarski B. 1964. Fauna Mrowek Afganistanu. Bibliogr. k. 160-166, Nieoprawiony maszynopis pracy, Praca doktorska. Instytut Zoologiczny PAN, 1964, Bibliogr. p. 160-166
 * Pisarski B. 1967. Fourmis (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) d'Afghanistan récoltées par M. Dr. K. Lindberg. Annales Zoologici (Warsaw) 24: 375-425.
 * Schultz, R., A. G. Radchenko, and B. Seifert. "A critical checklist of the ants of Kyrgyzstan (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)." Myrmecologische Nachrichten 8 (2006): 201-207.