Temnothorax laconicus

This species, described as a cryptic species easily mistaken for Temnothorax lichtensteini, prefers shadow places inside forests, both deciduous and coniferous. Nests were located in cracked rocks and stones, under moss or inside dry branches of trees (Borowiec & Salata, 2021).

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

Csösz et al. (2015) - Temnothorax laconicus can be distinguished easily from other species by its very long propodeal spines (having the longest propodeal spines of all taxa surveyed within this revision) and its low deviation (20–25°) from the mesosomal axis. This species is most similar to Temnothorax lichtensteini. The simple ratio SPST/CS does not overlap between the two species at the level of nest sample means and is therefore available for separation. For single individuals a simple discriminant (D3 = -0.0498_PoOc -0.0541_FRS +0.0975_SPST +3.3108) function provides a safe determination with very high classification success (98.6%).

Distribution
This species is known to occur in the Peloponnese peninsula and Kerkira.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: Greece.

Nomenclature

 *  laconicus. Temnothorax laconicus Csösz, et al. 2014: 82, figs. 5-7 (w.) GREECE.
 * Status as species: Csösz, Heinze & Mikó, 2015: 30 (redescription).

Worker
General colouration of this species somewhat darker than in Temnothorax lichtensteini; appendages, mesosoma, waist and basis of first gaster tergite dirty yellowish-brown to light-brown. Head dorsum and the posterior surfaces of gaster tergites darker, usually light-brown to brown. Small species (CS 545 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 0.788) 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°) to suberect (35–45°) on the surface that becomes external in the same scape position. Clypeus between sagittal level of frontal carinae with a number of longitudinal carinulae, interstices smooth and shiny. Eyes rather large (EL/CS 0.246) and more approached to hind margin of vertex (PoOc/CL 0.396). Vertex with fine microreticulate sculpture that is superimposed by a number of longitudinal rugulae. Frontal carinae non-divergent. Frontal lobes widely distant (FRS/CS 0.344). Propodeal spines very long, longer than in T. lichtensteini (SPST/CS 0.409) and acute, in lateral view deviating from longitudinal axis of mesosoma by 20–25°. Propodeal spines in dorsal view much more divergent than in related species (SPWI/CS 0.434), spine-tips curving inward (SPTI/CS 0.410). Mesosoma as wide as in related species (MW/CS 0.608). Metanotal depression well visible, moderately deep. Mesosoma with microreticulate sculpture that is superimposed by a few irregular or longitudinal rugulae. Petiole and postpetiole covered by a fine reticulate microsculpture that can occasionally be superimposed by a few irregular rugulae in particular on dorsum of petiolar node. Petiole in profile with a high node and a rather straight or slightly concave anterior face; the top of the node forms a short truncate dorsum that slopes down to caudal cylinder without a distinct step.

Type Material
Holotype worker Taygethos Oros, Street to Profitis Ilias (GRE:S_342), N36.968, E22.404, 800 mH, 01.05.2011, leg: A. Schulz, (1 worker / HNHMBudapest).

Paratypes Taygethos Oros, Street to Profitis Ilias (GRE:S_342), N36.968, E22.404, 800 mH, 01.05.2011, leg: A. Schulz, (2 workers / CAS San Francisco [unique specimen identifier CASENT0906682], 3 workers / Budapest, 3 workers / SMNG); W Taygethos Oros, Pigadia Canyon (GRE:S_358), N36.984, E22.262, 700-800 mH, 01.05.2011, leg: A. Schulz, (2 workers / HNHM Budapest); Taygethos Oros, Street to Profitis Ilias (GRE:2011:0345), N36.968, E22.404, 800 mH, 01.05.2011, leg: A. Schulz, (4 workers / HNHM Budapest); W Taygethos Oros, Pigadia Canyon (GRE:2011:0356), N36.984, E22.262, 700-800 mH, 01.05.2011, leg: A. Schulz, (3 workers / HNHM Budapest); Taygethos Oros, Street to Profitis Ilias (GRE:2011:0336), N36.968, E22.404, 800 mH, 01.05.2011, leg: A. Schulz, (4 workers  / HNHM Budapest);

Etymology
This adjective laconicus (masculinum) refers to Laconia, the region of the Peloponnese peninsula in which the type locality is situated.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Borowiec L. 2014. Catalogue of ants of Europe, the Mediterranean Basin and adjacent regions (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Genus (Wroclaw) 25(1-2): 1-340.
 * Borowiec L., and S. Salata. 2013. Ants of Greece  additions and corrections (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Genus (Wroclaw) 24(3-4): 335-401.
 * Borowiec L., and S. Salata. 2017. Ants of the Peloponnese, Greece (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Polish Journal of Entomology 86: 193-236.
 * Csosz S., B. Seifert, B. Muller, A. Trindl, A. Schulz, J. Heinze. 2013. Cryptic diversity in the Mediterranean Temnothorax lichtensteini species complex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Org Divers Evol DOI 10.1007/s13127-013-0153-3
 * Csősz S, Heinze J, and I. Mikó. 2015. Taxonomic synopsis of the Ponto-Mediterranean ants of Temnothorax nylanderi species-group. PLoS ONE 10(11): e0140000. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0140000
 * Salata S., and L Borowiec. 2017. Species of Tetramorium semilaeve complex from Balkans and western Turkey, with description of two new species of (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmicinae). Annales Zoologici (Warsaw) 62:279–313.
 * Salata S., and L. Borowiec. 2018. Taxonomic and faunistic notes on Greek ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Annals of the Upper Silesian Museum in Bytom Entomology 27: 1-51.
 * Salata S., and L. Borowiec. 2019. Preliminary division of not socially parasitic Greek Temnothorax Mayr, 1861 (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) with a description of three new species. ZooKeys 877: 81-131.