Temnothorax nipensis

T. nipensis was observed walking slowly in sunny hours on the surface of limestone walls, quite naked of vegetation and exposed to presumed predators. This behavior is very similar to the other limestone-dweller species of Cuban Temnothorax. Known only from the type locality. (Fontenla Rizo 1998)

Identification
Fontenla Rizo (1998) - Limestone-dweller species of Cuban Temnothorax, which builts a cartoon tubular entrance to the nest. Body slender with very elongated scapes and legs, femora slightly swollen, tibiae normal, propodeal spines very long, petiole long with a low and rounded node. Postpetiole longer than broad. Color brown reddish. This species is related to Temnothorax mortoni from the South of Santiago de Cuba and Guantanamo Provinces and to Temnothorax porphyritis, from the Habana-Matanzas Heights. It is easily distinguished from T. mortoni, because lacks the so distinctive color pattern of the gaster, has more shining tegument, more slender body and appendages and the propodeal spines are more curved in the middle. Both species are alopatric; T. mortoni is associated with coastal habitat. It differs from T. porphyritis in the more slender body and appendages, better defined longitudinal striated pattern over a densely micropunctuated surface, denser pilosity and tegument less shining.

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

Nomenclature

 *  nipensis. Leptothorax nipensis Fontenla Rizo, 1998: 67, fig. 6 (w.) CUBA. Combination in Temnothorax: Bolton, 2003: 271.

Worker
(paratypes). SL: 1.35 (1.30-1.35); HW: 0.87 (0.84-0.90); HL: 1.26 (1.23-1.29); ML: 1.83 (1.75-1.83); PL: 0.93 (0.90-0.93); PH: 0.30 (0.27-0.30); PPW: 0.36 (0.33-0.36); PPL: 0.45 (0.42-0.45); FL: 1.83 (1.77-1.8'3) .. 1ndices. SI: 107.1 (104.6-107.7); CI: 69.1 (68.3-69.8); PI: 52.6 (51.4-52.6); HI: 32.3 (30.0-32.4); PPI: 80.0 (78.6-80.0); FI: 102.0 (100.0-102.0).

Mandibles five toothed. Antennae with 12 segments; club little differentiated; scapes slender, surpassing cephalic length; eyes relatively small. Mesosoma with longitudinal profile and slender; pronotum and metanotum broad in comparison with mesonotum, which is relatively constricted. Humeral angles rounded and promesotoraxical suture conspicuous. Propodeal declive very low; propodeal spines long and sharp (36% of mesosoma length); divergent at the base, curved in the middle and straight at the tips. Petiole very long, more than half the mesosoma length, petiolar node rounded and very low, with no defined faces. Postpetiole longer than broad, slender. Gaster proportionally small, with a well developed sting. Posterior femora length similar to mesosoma length, not very swollen; tibiae normal and long. Tegument slightly shining throughout, densely punctuated and feeble but well defined striae. Gaster only with very small punctures. Pilosity dense, white hairs long, and acuminate. Body color dark reddish brown; legs, spines, petiole and postpetiole with lighter tone.

Type Material
Five workers, collected by A. R. Estrada on July 1994, at the limestone cutter Julio Antonio Mella, South of Sierra de Nipe, Santiago de Cuba Province.

Etymology
Name derived from Sierra de Nipe.