Temnothorax nordmeyeri

Temnothorax nordmeyeri was known from a single collection from Goa. The place of discovery was a mosaic of cultured trees, shrubs, grass areas and single old Sal trees.The specimens were found approximately 5-10 cm deep in the ground in narrow gaits, closely related to an old Sal tree.

Identification
There are clear morphological differences between L. nordmeyeri and the 250 described and undescribed Leptothorax species known to the author, namely the very uniformly pale yellow colour, the relatively regulär dense and rugulose-reticulate sculpture, the large eyes, the elongate head with long scape, the convex mesosoma profile without metanotal groove, the terseness very long, barely curved propodeal spines, the elongate, thin hairs, and the elongate, robust and low petiole node. Only L. galeatus Wheeler, 1927 from China and L. finzii Menozzi, 1925 form eastern Mediterranean area are rather similar to L. nordmeyeri from the morphological view. But both species own clearly different character combinations, so an easy delimitation to L. nordmeyeri is possible. L. nordmeyeri differs from L. galeatus by the smaler size (L. nordmeyeri: 2.0-2.5 mm; L. galeatus: > 2.8 mm), the somewhat more elongate mesosoma, the more elongate head and the less erected petiole. L. nordmeyeri has relativly larger eyes than L. galeatus (AD 0.15-0.16 [0.16]), AI 27-29 [28] n = 3; L. nordmeyeri: (AD 0.14-0.16 [0.15 ± 0.004], AI 32-34 [33 ± 1]) The colour of all parts of L. nordmeyeri is uniform pale yellow, whereas L. galeatus has brown antennal clubs, a predominantly dark brown gaster, and a diffuse brown anterior part of the head. The main coloration of L. galeatus is bright orange brown.

L. finzii differs from L. nordmeyeri by the following characters: L. nordmeyeri is distinctly smaller than L. finzii (HL 0.58-0.72 [0.65 ± 0.04], ML 0.68-0.90 [0.79 ± 0,06] n=32; L. nordmeyeri: HL 0.54-0.58 [0.56 ± 0,01], ML 0.60-0.66 [0.63 ± 0.02]) and has clearly longer spines than L. finzii (PSL 0.09-0.17 [0.14 ± 0.02]; L. nordmeyeri: PSL 0.20-0.23 [0.21 ± O.Ol]). Furthermore, L. nordmeyeri has an uniformly arched mesosoma profile, whereas L. finzii has a distinct and extensive metanotal groove. L. nordmeyeri has an elongated, robust and low petiole (Fig. 3), whereas the petiole of L. finzii is shorter and higher with a clear separate dorsal angle. L. nordmeyeri is more densely sculptured than L. finzii.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: India.

Biology
L. nordmeyeri, was found in south-western India in the State of Goa. The place of discovery was a mosaic of cultured trees, shrubs, grass areas and single old Sal trees. During the approximately 5-months long dry season trees do not carry leaves in this area. Then, the soll surface dries out completely. The ground was covered with an about 1 cm thick layer of litter. In tropical ecosystems formicoxenine ants, especially those of the genus Leptothorax, are offen rare or seem to be absent. Most of the world-wide known tropical species of Leptothorax are arboreal. In contrast to this, L. nordmeyeri probably has a cryptic lifestyle and a terrestrial nest. The nest of L. nordmeyeri was not discovered, the specimens were found approximately 5-10 cm deep in the ground in narrow gaits, closely related to an old Sal tree. This probably cryptical lifestyle and prognosted terrestrial nesting has been not yet recorded from any other Asiatic Leptothorax species. Most of the Holarctic species of Leptothorax live predominantly between small and thin stone slabs, under stones, in bark, or under pieces of wood on the ground, to guarantee an optimal insulation for growing up the brood. In tropical ecosystems they prefer arboreal strata, where the nests are located under bark, in arid twigs, or in epiphytes (Baroni Urbani 1978, Kempf 1959).

Nomenclature

 *  nordmeyeri. Leptothorax nordmeyeri Schulz, 1997: 305, figs. 1-4 (w.) INDIA. Combination in Temnothorax: Bolton, 2003: 271.

Description
Worker

Scapes reach beyond the occipital margin by approx. Ve of its total length. Antennae with 12 Segments, first funiculus segment 2.2 x as long as broad. Second funiculus segment as long as broad, the next 4 distal segments half as long as broad, next 2 segments as long as broad. With well defined 3-segmented apical club. Proximate club segment smaller and longer as the median segment. Distal club Segment 2.2 times as long as broad. Mandibles nearly triangulär and little compressed, with 3 large distal teeth, and 2 very small barely recognizable proximate teeth. Apical tooth larger than all other teeth. Mesosoma typical of Leptothorax. In lateral view margin of mesosoma from the pronotal neck to the Insertion of propodeal spines evenly convex.

Mesosoma slightly compressed. Propodeal spines very long. Base of spines narrow. In profile the spines generally straight, quite thin and with a sharp tip directed nearly horizontally. In dorsal view the spines give the Impression of a horseshoe, with straight distal parts.Petiole barely stalked but elongate. From mesosoma the cranial dorsal margin proceeds evenly and slightly concave to the vertex. Petiolar dome regularly convex and proceeding up to the postpetiolar Joint. In dorsal view the dome is depressed, and the petiole widens from mesosoma insertion up to the postpetiolar Joint. Postpetiole broad, in dorsal view with slightly obliquely depressed.

Pilosity long, thin, distally somewhat pointed. Pilosity on gaster, petiole, postpetiole and spines longer than on mesosoma and head. Pilosity generally sparse. First gaster tergite with less than 20 hairs, occipital margin and border with only 5 erect hairs. Appendages with densely and semidecumbent pubescence. Colour of body and appendages uniformly pale yellow. Mesosoma and waist slightly darker due to the more robust sculpture, teeth of the mandibles likewise little darker.

On head, mesosoma and waist the sculpture (definition after Harris 1979) relatively uniform and dense. Gaster evenly smooth and shining. Surface of head mainly costate to rugulose, frons and central part of Vertex more shining and irregularly wrinkled. Intervals between the wrinkles diffuse sublucid. Genae rugose, frontal triangle smooth and shining. Region of occipital corners and margin stronger rugulose to rugose than the other parts of head. Distal part of clypeus rugulose, proximate part weakly rugulose or sublucid. Mandibles finely and weakly transversely costate. Mesosoma uniformly and more or less regularly rugulose with some longitudinal wrinkles. Surface between the wrinkles sublucid to smooth. Surface between the propodeal spines more finely sculptured. Waist rugulose, between the strong rugae some with finely reticulate-rugulose sculpture.

Measurements

Holotype worker: TL 2.25, HL 0.57, HW 0.47, Gl 82, SL 0.50, SI 93, AD 0.15, AI 33, ML 0.65, MW 0.34, MI 53, PSL 0.21, PSLI 61, PL 0.30, PH 0.18, PHl 59.

Paratype workers n=10): TL 2.0-2,5, HL 0.54-0.58 [0.56 ± 0,01], HW 0.43-0.47[0.45 ± 0.02], CI 78-83 [80 ± 2], SL 0.48- 0.51 [0.49 ± O.Ol], SI 89-94 [91 ± 2], AD 0.14-0.16 [0.15 ± 0.004], AI 32-34 [33 ± 1], ML 0.60-0.66 [0.63 ± 0.02], MW 0.31-0.34 [0.33 ± O.Ol], MI 50-54 [52 ± 2], PSL 0.20-0.23 [0.21 ± O.Ol], PSLI 61-67 [64 ± 2], PL 0.22-0.30 [0.26 ± 0.03], PH 0.17-0.19 [0.18 ± O.Ol], PHI 59-77 [71 ± 7].

Queen

Unknown

Male

Unknown.

Type Material

Holotype: 1 worker labelled "Indien_08: Goa, Distr. Mormugao, vic. Velsao, 5 km E. Dabolim Air Port, 50mH, 14.01.1997, Leg. A. Schulz, K. Vock". (in Zoologische Staatssammlung München). Paratypes: 12 workers with same labels as holotype. Depository: 2 in Zoologische Staatssammmlung München; 1 in Museum d'Histoire naturelle, Geneve; 2 in Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde Karlsruhe; 7 in the author"s collection.

Etymology

This new Leptothorax species is dedicated to Mrs. Rose Nordmeyer. Mrs. Nordmeyer generously financially supported the biosystematic research at the Zoologische Staatssammlung München.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Schulz A. 1997. Leptothorax nordmeyeri, spec. nov., an interesting ant of subtropical India. Spixiana 20: 303-308.