Temnothorax furunculus

Nests under stones in pinyon-cedar woodlands (Wheeler, 1909; Gregg, 1963).



Identification
Mackay (2000) "The workers of this species are yellow brown with a 12 segmented antenna. The clypeus has a single median carina, 2 prominent lateral carinae and a few others, which are poorly defined. The head has wavy rugae, forming concentric semicircles around the insertion of the antennae, the striae posterior to the eyes are directed posteriorly to the occipital lobes, the central area of the head has poorly defined striae and is partially smooth and shining. The top of the mesosoma is covered with punctures and fine rugae, the sides near the top have somewhat coarse rugae. The pronotum has striae, the mesopleuron and side of the propodeum are covered with punctures. The propodeal spines are small, but well formed. The petiolar node is moderately sharp, as seen in the subpeduncular process, is large and well developed. The surface of the petiole and postpetiole are covered with punctures. The dorsum of the gaster is smooth and polished.

This species could be confused with T. nevadensis or T. andrei. It differs from these species in that the petiolar node is moderately sharp at the apex (rounded in T. nevadensis and T. andrei) and the hairs on the petiole and postpetiole are only very slightly spatulate, or simply truncate. It is similar in color to T. andrei, but has propodeal spines, which are about 1/2 the length of the distance between their bases, not simply angles as in T. andrei. The clypeus is completely different from that of T.andrei possessing a single medial carina and two prominent lateral carinae, not a series of poorly defined carinae as in T. andrei. It could be confused with T. rugithorax, but differs in the node of the petiole having a sharp apex (truncate and square shaped in T. rugithorax). It can be separated from T. neomexicanus, but is lighter in color and has a much more developed subpeduncular process. Wheeler (1909) states that T. furunculus has a distinct mesopropodeal impression, which is correct, although the impression is poorly developed and not much more notable than in most of the other species in the subgenus."

Range
USA. Wyoming, Colorado.

Habitat
Only known from pinyon-cedar woodlands.

Abundance
Only known from a few collections.

Colorado
Gregg (1963) "Until the present investigations were undertaken, this species was not known from other than type material. Although we have not succeeded in finding topotypes, we have discovered the ant in the southwestern portion of Colorado on Mesa Verde.We have also received specimens from Dr. D. C. Lowrie, who collected them on Signal Mountain and in the Jackson Hole Wildlife Park near Moran, Wyoming. As the species must still be considered exceedingly rare, it is not possible to describe its distribution in detail, but enough information has come to light to enable one to visualize the general extent of its range. It would appear to be a Rocky Mountain insect."

Original Combination
Leptothorax furunculus Wheeler, W.M. 1909e: 82 (w.) U.S.A. Combination in L. (Myrafant): Smith, D.R. 1979: 1393; in Temnothorax: Bolton, 2003: 271. See also: MacKay, 2000: 344.

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

Type Locality
Colorado, Williams Canyon near Manitou, 7,500'