Temnothorax taivanensis

Identification
Wheeler (1929) - This species, which at first sight looks like a diminutive Myrmica, is quite distinct from the other Oriental species of Leptothorax, congruus F. Smith, galeatus Wheeler and argentipex Wheeler, in sculpture, the shape of the thorax and petiole, etc.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: Taiwan. Palaearctic Region: China.

Nomenclature

 *  taivanensis. Leptothorax taivanensis Wheeler, W.M. 1929g: 54 (w.) TAIWAN. Combination in Temnothorax: Bolton, 2003: 271.

Worker
Length 2.4-2.8 mm.

Head longer than broad, as broad in front as behind, with rounded sides Hud posterior corners and nearly straight posterior border. Eyes convex, at the middle of the sides. Mandibles distinctly 5-toothed, with rounded external borders. Clypeus somewhat convex behind; its anterior border depressed in front, produced and truncated in the middle, sinuate on each side. Frontal area impressed but indistinct; frontal carinae very small. Antennae 12-jointed; sea pes curved at the base, extending somewhat beyond the posterior border of the head; funicular joints 2-8 small, subequal, broader than long; the three terminal joints long, forming a distinct club, the last joint of which is as long as the two subequal basal joints together and distinctly enlarged. Thorax convex in profile, highest in the mesothoracic region, with distinct promesonotal suture, falling, rather rapidly to the epinotum but interrupted by a distinct transverse swelling representing the metanotum. Base of epinotum shorter than the declivity and slightly sloping, the spines long and tapering, longer than the base and than the distance between their insertions, curved basally and then directed straight backward and slightly outward. Petiole long and narrow, with a peduncle as long as the node, which is rounded, as long as broad, in profile a little higher in front than behind; peduncle with an acute, downwardly directed anteroventral tooth. Postpetiole about 1 1/4 times as broad as long, its node transversely elliptical, convex, half again as broad as the petiole. Legs rather long, femora distinctly thickened in the middle.

Shining; gaster, legs and scapes more so than the head, thorax and pedicel. Mandibles opaque, finely longitudinally striated and obscurely punctate. Clypeus with about seven longitudinal rugules. Head longitudinally and somewhat irregularly rugose, with reticulate interrugal spaces. Thorax more coarsely and irregularly rugose, especially on the pronotum, where the rugae are vermiculate; on the sides they are more clearly longitudinal; epinotal declivity transversely rugulose above, smooth and opaque below. Pedicel finely and indistinctly punctate or shagreened, the nodes shining and with a few longitudinal impressions. Gaster very smooth and shining, with sparse piligerous punctures; legs and scapes distinctly shagreened or punctulate.

Hairs rather sparse, glistening white, blunt but not very stout, erect or suberect on the dorsal surface of the body; fine, pointed and appressed on the legs and antennae.

Dark brown; gaster and dorsal surface of head more blackish; mandibles, scapes, epinotal spines, except their bases, trochanters, tarsi, bases and tips of femora and tibiae brownish yellow or pale reddish brown.

Type Material
Described from six specimens taken at Funkiko, Formosa.