Temnothorax rudis

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Original Combination
Leptothorax nevadensis subsp. rudis Wheeler, W.M. 1917a: 508 (w.q.) U.S.A. Combination in Temnothorax: Ward, 2005: 19. Junior synonym of nevadensis: MacKay, 2000: 376. Revived from synomymy and raised to species: Ward, 2005: 19.

Worker
Worker. Length 2.6-3.3 mm. Distinctly larger and more robust than the typical nevadensis and much more coarsely sculptured. Funicular joints 2-8 distinctly broader in proportion to their length. Head subopaque, finely and densely longitudinally rugose, with punctate interrugal spaces and sometimes with an interrupted shining median line. Frontal area shining; very finely striated. Mandibles coarsely punctate, striated at their bases. Thorax and petiole coarsely punctate-rugose, the rugae on the pleurae and often also on the pro- and epinotum longitudinal, on the mesonotum often vermiculate. Declivity of epinotum densely punctate and as opaque as the remainder of the thorax (more shining in the typical form). Postpetiole densely punctate and opaque. The epinotal spines are much stouter and blunter, and the petiolar node is much less compressed anteroposteriorly, its posterior surface being much more convex than in typical nevadensis. The color is considerably darker, the body being castaneous, with the head and gaster, except its incisures, blackish, the mandibles, clypeus, antennae and legs yellowish brown, the femora infuscated in the middle. Pilosity as in the typical form.

Queen
Smaller than the female of typical nevadensis, with longer and more slender epinotal spines and the funicular joints 2-8 shorter. Sculpture of the head, thorax and petiole a little coarser. Petiolar node like that of the worker. In the typical form it is much compressed anteroposteriorly and has a sharp, transverse superior border. There is very little difference in color between the two forms.

Type Material
Presumably MCZ and USNM.

Type Locality
Described from numerous workers and a single female taken from small colonies nesting under the edges of stones in Tenaya Canyon, Yosemite Valley, Cala.