Temnothorax schmittii

Only known from types.



Identification
Mackay (2000) "The workers of this species have 12-segmented antennae; the clypeus has a well developed, medial, longitudinal carina extending nearly full length; the humeral angles are sharp and prominent, with a carina which extends posteriorly, forming a transverse ridge across the pronotum, giving the pronotum a square-shouldered appearance; the mesosoma is without a constriction at the mesopropodeal suture; the propodeal spines are well formed, longer than width at bases, tapering and pointed, directed distinctly backward though slightly pointed upward and outward, ventral outline of spine is distinctly concave, dorsum convex; petiolar node narrow in profile, subpeduncular process well developed. The head is very smooth and shining, sides of frontal area, cheeks and subocular region subopaque and delicately and longitudinally rugose. The pronotum and mesonotum are very smooth and shining, the pleurae with delicate longitudinal rugae which are coarser on side of propodeum. Erect hairs are white, moderately abundant, clavate. These ants are dark brown, almost black, with the mandibles, neck, funiculus and legs yellow.

Discussion: This is a very unusual species due to the smoothness of the head and mesosoma, and the angulate corners of the pronotum. The types are light brown in color, but it is also black with white hairs and yellow legs (Gregg. 1963). It would not be confused with any other known North American species, except possibly T. nitens, which has legs with the same shade of light brown as the mesosoma. It can be easily separated, as the propodeal spines of T. nitens are poorly developed."

Range
USA: Colorado.

Abundance
Only known from the type collection.

Original Combination
Leptothorax schmittii Wheeler, W.M. 1903c: 242, pl. 12, fig. 14 (w.) U.S.A. Combination in L. (Myrafant): Smith, D.R. 1979: 1395; Combination in Temnothorax: Bolton, 2003: 272. See also: MacKay, 2000: 405.

Type Material
As reported in Mackay (2000) "Four cotype workers, AMNH, MCZC [seen]."

Type Locality
Colorado, Fremont Co., Canyon City.