Temnothorax lichtensteini

Temnothorax lichtensteini is distributed widely in xerothermous open forests across the northern coastline of the Mediterranean region from the Iberian Peninsula to Western Turkey, and from 47°N in Austria to 37°N in Greece.

Identification
Part of a Temnothorax lichtensteini complex of cryptic species, Temnothorax laconicus can be separated from T. lichtensteini by measuring a series of workers and using a Nest Centroid Clustering function (see Csősz et al. 2013).

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: Andorra, Austria, Balearic Islands, Croatia, France, Greece, Iberian Peninsula, Italy, Liechtenstein, Montenegro, Republic of Macedonia, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey.

Fungi
This species is a host for the endoparastic fungus Myrmicinosporidium durum (Espadaler & Santamaria, 2012).

Nomenclature

 *  lichtensteini. Leptothorax lichtensteini Bondroit, 1918: 123 (w.q.m.) FRANCE.
 * Combination in Temnothorax: Bolton, 2003: 271.
 * Subspecies of nylanderi: Menozzi, 1921: 28; Menozzi, 1922b: 329; Müller, 1923a: 71; Müller, 1923b: 95; Emery, 1924d: 255; Menozzi, 1925d: 27; Novák & Sadil, 1941: 91 (in key).
 * Status as species: Bondroit, 1920a: 154; Bernard, 1956a: 162; Bernard, 1967: 205 (redescription); Collingwood & Yarrow, 1969: 70; Baroni Urbani, 1971c: 114; Baroni Urbani, 1976: 214; Collingwood, 1978: 84 (in key); Agosti & Collingwood, 1987b: 274 (in key); Casevitz-Weulersse, 1990c: 418 (in key); Bolton, 1995b: 240; Csösz, et al. 2014: 85 (redescription); Csösz, Heinze & Mikó, 2015: 33 (redescription).

Worker
Csősz et al. (2013) - General colouration of this species is somewhat lighter than that of Temnothorax laconicus; appendages, mesosoma, waist and basis of first gaster tergite-yellow to dirty yellowish-brown. Head dorsum and the posterior surfaces of gaster tergites darker, usually dirty yellowish-brown to light-brown. Small species (CS 535 μm), but similar in size to its sister species. Head significantly longer than broad (CL/CWb 1.226) and with feebly convex sides. Vertexal corners rounded, posterior margin of vertex strait. Scape long (SL/CS 0.786) with variable pubescence: adpressed (0–5°) to decumbent (10–15°) on the surface that is adjacent to head surface when the scape is directed fully caudad and subdecumbent (30°) on the surface that becomes external in the same scape position. Clypeus between sagittal level of frontal carinaewith a number of longitudinal carinulae, interstices smooth and shiny. Eyes rather large (EL/CS 0.248) and more approached to hind margin of vertex (PoOc/CL 0.401). Vertex with fine microreticulate sculpture that is superimposed by a number of longitudinal rugulae. Frontal carinae non-divergent and widely distant (FRS/CS 0.357). Propodeal spines long, but significantly shorter than in T. laconicus (SPST/CS 0.347) and acute, in lateral view deviating from longitudinal axis of mesosoma by 20–25°. In dorsal view, propodeal spines less divergent than in the sibling species (SPWI/CS 0.393), spine-tips curving inward (SPTI/CS 0.373). Mesosoma as wide as in related species (MW/CS 0.610). Metanotal depression well visible, moderately deep. Mesosoma with fine microreticulate microsculpture that is superimposed by a few irregular or longitudinal rugulae. Petiole and postpetiole covered by a reticulate microsculpture that can occasionally be superimposed by a few irregular rugulae in particular on dorsum of petiolar node. Petiole in profile with a rather straight or slightly concave anterior face; top of node forms a short truncate dorsum that continue to posterior slope with a distinct step.

Type Material
Csősz et al. (2013) - Four workers labeled “Montpellier Jean Lichtenstein”, ''Leptoth. lichtensteini'' Type Bondr. and “Lecotype Leptothorax lichtensteini Bondroit 1918 Top specimen det. A.Schulz & M.Verhaagh 1999”; IRSNB Bruxelles; lectotype with CS 546.6. 5 workers labeled “Menton de Dalmas” and “Leptoth. lichtensteini Type Bondr. ”; IRSNB Bruxelles.