Temnothorax hispidus

Nests under rocks or in soil (Van Pelt. 1983) at higher elevations.



Identification
Mackay (2000) "This is a large species (3-4mm total length) with a 12 segmented antenna, dark brown, with the mesosoma depressed at the area of the mesopropodeal suture, although the sculpture is not broken in the region. The top and side of the mesosoma are covered by coarse, reticulated rugae. The propodeal armature is represented by bumps. The node of the petiole is low and truncate. The petiole and postpetiole are covered with reticulated rugae.

The strongly reticulo-punctate disc of the first gastral tergite, the depressed mesosoma, and the large size will separate this species from all other species in the subgenus, including the other species in the hispidus complex (T. peninsuIaris, T. punctaticeps). Cole (1957) stated that this species is most closely related to T. silvestrii I cannot agree as the only important characteristic they have in common is that the disc of the gastral tergum is distinctly reticulopunctate (which appears to have evolved independently several times), and this characteristic varies considerably, at least in T. silvestrii (Creighton, 1953). It can be easily distinguished from T. silvestrii, as the hind femur in T. silvestriii is greatly incrassate, which is not the case in T. hispidus. In addition, the impression at the mesopropodeal suture is absent in T. silvestrii; the scapes are longer in T. hispidus, as compared to T. silvestrii. The eye is normal in shape for the genus, which easily separates this species from T. obliquicanthus, which has a kidney-shaped eye. In addition the propodeal spines are simple angles in T. hispidus and are well developed in the other two species. Although this is clearly a member of the subgenus Myrafant, it does show possible affinities to the subgenus Dichothorax. The anterior peduncle of the petiole is relatively long, there is a distinct impression at the mesopropodeal suture, and the propodeal spines are short. This species also has a relatively long antennal scape. These characteristics justify placing this species in its own complex, together with T. peninsuIaris and T. puntaticeps. This species appears to be similar to the Palaearctic T. schaufussi Forel, which also appears to be related to T. (Dichothorax) pergandei Emery (Mackay, 1993a). Both have long antennal scapes, elongate mesosomae, and relatively long petiolar peduncles, although that of T. hispidus is much less developed. The mesopropodeal suture is deeply depressed on the dorsum of the mesosoma of both species. Nevertheless these two species are easily separated as T. hispidus is roughly sculptured, with rugae on the head, mesosoma and dorsum of the postpetiole, whereas at least the head and pronotum of T. schaufussi is smooth and polished. As mentioned above, the peduncle of T. schaufussi is elongate, that of T. hispidus is much shorter. It is tempting to consider T. hispidus as a member of the subgenus Dichothorax, but it appears to belong to Myrafant, with T. schaujussi and T. pergandei belonging in the subgenus Dichothorax. Temnothorax hispidus appears to link the two subgenera."

Range
USA. Texas. MEXICO. Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, Zacatecas.

Abundance
xxxxx Only known from a few collections. xxxxx

Biology
xxxxx

xxxxx

Original Combination
Leptothorax (Leptothorax) hispidus Cole, 1957b: 42, fig. 1 (w.q.) U.S.A. Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1973b: 71 (l.). Combination in L. (Myrafant): Smith, D.R. 1979: 1393; in Temnothorax: Bolton, 2003: 271. See also: MacKay, 2000: 347.

Type Material
As reported in Mackay (2000) "Holotype worker in Cole collection, paratypes in Cole collection (University of Tennessee), Kennedy collection (Ohio State University), Creighton collection, Gregg collection (Colorado State University), Talbot collection (Lindenwood College), AMNH, MCZC, USNM [seen]."

Type Locality
USA, TX, Jeff Davis Co., Davis Mountains, Limpia Canyon, 5,400'