Temnothorax abeli

This species was observed in relatively high numbers, running on tree trunks and branches. Captured workers reacted in an aggressive way, stinging painfully. (Fontenla Rizo 1998)

Identification
Fontenla Rizo (1998) - Arboreal species of Cuban Temnothorax with a very distinctive pattern of policromous coloration and heavy mesosoma rugae, except in the anterior dorsal part of pronotum. Short propodeal spines present, tibiae and femora swollen with very small tubercles. Petiolar node scale-shaped and postpetiole broader than long.

This species is related to Temnothorax darlingtoni and Temnothorax splendens. It differs from both of them by lacking the heavy mgae in the anterior part of pronotum in dorsal view. It is more similar to L. splendens in general size and body proportions, but differs in the more vivid color pattern, broader petiolar node and smoother head. Both species have not overlapping distribution (L. abeli in Western Sierra Maestra, L. splendens in the Nipe-Sagua-Baracoa Masiff).

Distribution
Western Sierra Maestra, Cuba.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Cuba, Greater Antilles.

Nomenclature

 *  abeli. Leptothorax abeli Fontenla Rizo, 1998: 62, fig. 1 (w.) CUBA. Combination in Temnothorax: Bolton, 2003: 271.

Worker
(paratypes) SL: 1,12 (1,12-1,2), HW: 1,2 (1,1-1,2), HL: 1,4 (1,4-1,42), ML: 2,1 (1,9-2,1), PL: 0,78 (0,70-0,78), PH: 0,55 (q,52-0,55), PPW: 0,6 (0,6-0,53), PPL: 0,37 (0,37-0,40), FL: 1,55 (1,150-1,55). Indices. SI: 80,3 (80,3-85,7), CI: 82,1 (73,8-82,1), PI: 36,9 (33,3-36,9), ill: 70,9 (70,9-75), PPI: 160 (131-160), FI: 73,8 (73,8-79,4).

Mandibles five toothed, slighted striated. Antennae with 12 segments, club well differentiated and three-segmented; funiculum segments rounded and stout; scapes short and stout, no surpassing the cephalic length. Head subquadrated. Mesosoma massive, curved in profile, almost evenly broad in dorsal view, throughout. Humeral angles rounded. Promesonotal depression not very conspicuous. Propodeal spines short (16,6% mesosoma length) and stout but sharp at the tips, slightly curved outward in the middle and divergent at the tips; propodeum with a gently declive. Petiolar peduncle short, with 36,9% of mesosoma length, petiolar node scale-shaped and high (54,8% of petiole length). Postpetiole broader than longer. Gaster with a well developed sting. Femora and tibiae swollen and with small scattered tubercles; femora do not surpass mesosoma length. Tegument shining throughout. Head surface polished, with only feeble striae on the fron and surrounded the eyes. Mesosoma with thick sulcae, transverse at the dorsum and diagonal on the pleurae. Dorsal anterior part of pronotum lacks the sulcae, surface smooth, only with very faint longitudinal striae. Body pilosity composed by long and white acuminate hairs, mostly erected, abundant, but not densely packed. Colour of head, antennae, legs, petiole, postpetiole and gaster shining brown. Smooth part of pronotum with violaceus reflections. Rest of mesosoma darker brown with conspicuous greenish reflections. Coxae yellowish brown.

Type Material
Holotype: worker, collected by Abel Perez on May 20, 1995, in Subida a la Nigua, Sierra Maestra, Santiago de Cuba Province. Paratypes: 8 workers; same data as holotype; 4 workers, collected by A. G. Debras, on July 25, in Rio Peladeros, Sierra Maestra, Santiago de Cuba Province.

Etymology
Named after Abel Perez, a Cuban arachnologist and first collector of the species