Temnothorax hyrcanus

Nothing is known about the biology of . Based on its original description as a Chalepoxenus species, it is presumably a parasitic ant.

Identification
Dubovikov & Radchenko (2010) - T. hyrcanus differs from Temnothorax kutteri, Temnothorax brunneus and Temnothorax tramieri (the first species is distributed in France and Spain, and the latter two – in NW Africa) by presence of erect to suberect hairs of femora and tibiae. From Temnothorax tauricus and Temnothorax spinosus it differs by more short tooth on the ventral surface of postpetiole, from Temnothorax muellerianus – by distinctly short head (HL/HW 1.15 vs. ca. 1.30), from Temnothorax tarbinskii – by more abundant standing hairs of alitrunk and legs. From Temnothorax zabelini (known from Kopetdahg Mts., Turkmenistan, the nearest locality to Talysh among all known Chalepoxenus species) it differs by coarse sculpture on head dorsum, by less abundant standing hairs on body, especially on gaster, by short scape (SL/HL 0.70 vs. 0.78, SL/HW 0.81 vs. 0.97), by somewhat more convex scutum and long alitrunk (AL/AH 1.50 vs. 1.67), etc.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: Azerbaijan.

Nomenclature

 *  hyrcanus. Chalepoxenus hyrcanus Dubovikov & Radchenko, 2010: 207, pl. 7, figs. 1-3 (q.) AZERBAIJAN. Combination in Temnothorax: Ward et al., 2014: 15.

Queen
HL 0.90, HW0.78, OL 0.25, SL 0.63, AL 1.20, AH 0.80, ScL 0.95, ScW 0.66, HTL 0.66, PL 0.45, PH 0.34, PW 0.31, PPL 0.29, PPH 0.31, PPW0.46; CI (HL/HW) 1.15, OI1 (OL/HL) 0.28, OI2 (OL/ HW) 0.32, SI1 (SL/HL) 0.70, SI2 (SL/HW) 0.81, PL/HW0.57, PL/PH 1.33, PW/HW 0.39, PPL/HW 0.38, PPL/PPH 0.95, PPW/HW0.59, PPW/PW1.50, AI (AL/AH) 1.50, ScI (ScL/ScW) 1.45.

Head longer than broad, somewhat widened posteriorly, with straight sides, broadly rounded occipital corners and slightly convex occipital margin. Anterior clypeal margin convex, not notched medially. Scape quite short, does not surpass occipital margin. Frontal carinae straight, merge with rugae which run backward to the level of posterior edge of eyes. Mandibles with 5 blunt teeth, apical tooth not much longer than preapical one.

Alitrunk relatively long, scutum flattened, propodeum with blunt triangular denticles. Anterior face of petiole strongly concave, peduncle quite short, petiolar node dorsum widely rounded, ventral petiolar process not big, subtriangular, blunt at the apex. Postpetiole slightly higher than long, subglobular, ventrally with short but sharp tooth.

Frons finely longitudinally rugulose and striated, space between frontal carinae and subocular rugulae superficially micropunctated, though appears more or less shiny, area between ocelli and occiput smooth and shiny. Clypeus with distinct medial longitudinal carina.

Scutum and scutellum smooth and shiny. Pronotum and mesopleura with fine striation and superficial micropunctures, propodeum longitudinally rugulose. Petiole and postpetiole superficially micropunctated, but appears shiny.

Head margins, alitrunk, waist and gaster with numerous erect to suberect hairs. Inner margin of femora and outer margin of tibiae with erect to suberect hairs.

Body colour brownish-red, gastral tergites brown, first gastral sternite and appendages yellowish.

Type Material
The holotype of T. hyrcanus is preserved in the collection of Zoological Institute of Russian Academy of Sciences, St.-Petersburg.

Holotype, winged gyne, [Azerbajdzhan] Talysh, Avrora (now – Burcali), 38°39’N / 48° 47’E, 14.07.2005, I. Shokhin (ZISP).

Etymology
The species name is derived from the name of natural-historical district of Talysh – Hyrcan.