Temnothorax rutabulafer Prebus 2021, sp. nov.
Creators: name: Prebus, Matthew M.
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2021
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Hymenoptera
Formicidae
Temnothorax
Temnothorax rutabulafer

description: <i>Temnothorax rutabulafer</i> sp. nov. Distribution: Fig. 121d; worker, gyne &amp; male: Fig. 125. <i>Macromischa pastinifera</i> (Emery): <i>Mann, 1929</i>: 161 (in part). Gyne and male of <i>Temnothorax rutabulafer</i> described as <i>Temnothorax pastinifer</i>. <i>Leptothorax pastinifer</i> (Emery): <i>Baroni Urbani, 1978</i>: 470 (in part). Worker of <i>Temnothorax rutabulafer</i> described as <i>Temnothorax pastinifer</i>. <i>Leptothorax pastinifer</i> (Emery): <i>Fontenla Rizo, 1997</i>: 51 (in part). Workers of <i>Temnothorax rutabulafer</i> described as <i>Temnothorax pastinifer</i>. <b>Type material examined:</b> <i>Holotype worker:</i> CUBA: Cienfuegos: Soledad, 20 November 1927, W.S. Creighton, (CASENT0758266, middle specimen on pin) [USNM]. <i>Paratype workers, gyne, and male:</i> same pin as holotype, 2 workers (top and bottom specimens on pin) [USNM]; same data as holotype: 1 dealate gyne, 1 male, 1 worker (CASENT0758230) [USNM] 34 workers (CASENT0758277-89) [USNM] 3 workers (MCZENT00581833) [MCZC]. <b>Non-type material examined:</b> BAHAMAS: Bimini: South Bimini Island, May 1951, Cazier &amp; Gertsch, 1 worker (CASENT0758274) [USNM] 1 worker (CASENT0758275) [USNM]; June 1951, Cazier, C. &amp; P. Vaurie, 1 male (CASENT0756085) [USNM] 1 worker (CASENT0758270) [USNM] 1 worker (CASENT0758272) [USNM] 1 dealate gyne (CASENT0756086) [USNM]; July 1951, C. &amp; P. Vaurie, 1 worker (CASENT0758276) [USNM] 1 worker (CASENT0758273) [USNM] 1 worker (CASENT0758271) [USNM]. Central Andros: Fresh Creek, Andros Island, [no collection date], W.M. Mann, 1 worker (MCZENT00581832) [MCZC] 1 worker (CASENT0758267) [USNM]. North Andros: North Andros Island, north of Stafford Creek bridge, west side of road, rocky hill in from road, site B, 14 November 1996, M. Deyrup &amp; L. Davis, dense unburned coppice, nest in 2 cm twig on ground, 1 alate gyne, 4 workers (CASENT0758831) [ABS] 5 workers (CASENT0758832) [ABS] 5 workers (CASENT0758833) [ABS] 5 workers (CASENT0758834) [ABS] 5 workers (CASENT0758835) [ABS] 5 workers (CASENT0758836) [ABS] 5 workers (CASENT0758837) [ABS] 1 alate gyne &amp; 4 workers (CASENT0758838) [ABS] 5 workers (CASENT0758839) [ABS] 5 workers (CASENT0758840) [ABS] 5 workers (CASENT0758841) [ABS] 5 workers (CASENT0758842) [ABS] 5 workers (CASENT0758843) [ABS] 5 workers (CASENT0758844) [ABS] 5 workers (CASENT0758845) [ABS] 5 workers (CASENT0758846) [ABS]; same data as previous, except: 2 km N of Forfar, roadside coppice, in small branch on ground, 1 dealate gyne &amp; 4 workers (CASENT0758847) [ABS] 4 workers (CASENT0758848) [ABS] 4 workers (CASENT0758849) [ABS] 4 workers (CASENT0758850) [ABS] 4 workers (CASENT0758851) [ABS] 4 workers (CASENT0758852) [ABS]; north of Stafford Creek bridge, west side of road, rocky hill in from road, dense unburned coppice, site B, 17 November 1996, M. Deyrup &amp; L. Davis, nest in 2 cm twig on ground, 4 workers (CASENT0758853) [ABS] 4 workers (CASENT0758854) [ABS] 4 workers (CASENT0758855) [ABS] 3 workers (CASENT0758856) [ABS]. CUBA: Cienfuegos: Soledad, 18 November 1927, W.S. Creighton, 1 alate gyne &amp; 3 workers (CASENT0759978) [FSCA]; Soledad, Blanco’ s Woods, 22 July 1953, E.O. Wilson #Berl, 1 worker (MCZENT00581834) [MCZC] 3 workers (MCZENT00581835) [MCZC]; same data as previous, except: 12 June 1953, 1 teneral worker (MCZENT00581836) [MCZC]. <b>Geographic range:</b> Low elevations of the Bahamas and Cuba (Fig. 121D). <b>Worker Diagnosis:</b> <i>Temnothorax rutabulafer</i> sp. nov. can be separated from all other species in the <i>salvini</i> clade by the following character combination: antennal scape very long, surpassing the posterior margin of the head by about two times the maximum width of the antennal scape; dorsum of head uniformly areolate; anterior margin of clypeus weakly convex to weakly emarginate medially; transition between anterior and dorsal faces of pronotum indistinct but marked by a change in sculpture; in profile view, mesosoma strongly convex dorsally and moderately compact (WLI 131–137); in dorsal view, mesosoma posterior to the pronotum swollen, only slightly narrower than the pronotum; dorsum of propodeum with setae; in dorsal view, propodeal spines broadly approximated basally, negative space between them “U” shaped; propodeal spines longer than the propodeal declivity, directed posteriorly, and downcurved; hind femora moderately to strongly incrassate (FI 271–344); petiolar node squamiform and weakly arched anteriorly; dorsum of petiole with twelve erect setae; in dorsal view, petiolar node much broader than the caudal cylinder (PNWI&gt; 180); postpetiole very broad (PWI 234–266), with &lt;6 erect setae; setae on head, mesosoma, waist segments and gaster erect, moderately long, dense and blunt (never long and tapering); integument bicolored: mandibles, head capsule, mesosoma, peduncle, anterior face of petiolar node, lateral face of postpetiole, distal four tarsi, and base of gaster red; remainder of the body dark brown. <b>Similar species:</b> <i>Temnothorax misomoschus</i> sp. nov., <i>T. subditivus</i>, and other members of the <i>pastinifer</i> group. <i>Temnothorax rutabulafer</i> sp. nov. can be distinguished from <i>T. subditivus</i> by the sculpture of the head dorsum (uniformly areolate in <i>T. androsanus</i> vs. variable in <i>T. subditivus</i>, but never uniformly areolate), and the very broad postpetiole (PWI &lt;220 in <i>T. subditivus</i>). In contrast to <i>T. rutabulafer</i> sp. nov., <i>T. misomoschus</i> sp. nov. is devoid of erect setae on most surfaces of the body, has a depressed propodeum, and a posteriorly leaning, subquadrate petiolar node. <i>Temnothorax pastinifer</i> sp. nov. can be separated from other members of the <i>pastinifer</i> group by the areolate head (smooth and shining in <i>T. schwarzi</i>), the abundant and dense erect setae on all surfaces of the body, and the very broad petiolar node (PNWI &lt;160 in all other <i>pastinifer</i> group species, except <i>T. schwarzi</i>). <b> Worker measurements &amp; indices (<i>n</i> = 14):</b> SL = 0.555 –0.688 (0.639); FRS = 0.170 –0.242 (0.192); CW = 0.536 –0.728 (0.660); CWb = 0.488 –0.676 (0.607); PoOC = 0.224 –0.308 (0.276); CL = 0.579 –0.752 (0.690); EL = 0.115 –0.160 (0.142); EW = 0.090 –0.123 (0.107); MD = 0.149 –0.203 (0.183); WL = 0.654 –0.899 (0.816); SPST = 0.290 –0.406 (0.353); MPST = 0.230 –0.300 (0.273); PEL = 0.279 –0.361 (0.327); NOL = 0.128 –0.199 (0.170); NOH = 0.126 –0.204 (0.174); PEH = 0.219 –0.297 (0.268); PPL = 0.145 –0.208 (0.178); PPH = 0.165 –0.265 (0.231); PW = 0.402 –0.558 (0.500); SBPA = 0.152 –0.260 (0.218); SPTI = 0.233 –0.408 (0.318); PEW = 0.115 –0.172 (0.153); PNW = 0.223 –0.367 (0.303); PPW = 0.292 –0.427 (0.377); HFL = 0.563 –0.749 (0.663); HFWmax = 0.152 –0.195 (0.173); HFWmin = 0.050 –0.062 (0.057); CS = 0.778 –1.052 (0.951); ES = 0.160 –0.222 (0.195); SI = 100–114 (106); OI = 20–21 (21); CI = 84–90 (88); WLI = 131–137 (135); SBI = 31–40 (36); PSI = 40–48 (43); PWI = 234–266 (247); PLI = 160–208 (185); NI = 89–133 (98); PNWI = 178–224 (198); NLI = 42–57 (52); FI = 271–344 (302). <b>Worker description:</b> In full-face view, head subquadrate, longer than broad (CI 84–90). Mandibles densely, finely striate, but shining and armed with five teeth: the apical-most well developed and acute, followed by a less developed preapical tooth and three equally developed smaller teeth. Anterior clypeal margin weakly convex to weakly emarginate medially. Antennal scapes very long: when fully retracted, surpassing the posterior margin of the head capsule by about three times the maximum width of the antennal scape (SI 100–14). Antennae 12-segmented; antennal club of composed of three segments, with the apical-most segment slightly longer than the preceding two in combination. Torular laminae not strongly developed: narrower than the distance that separates them. Frontal carinae short, extending past the antennal toruli by about the maximum width of the antennal scape. Lateral margin of head weakly convex, forming a continuous arc from the mandibular insertions to the posterior margin of the head. Posterior head margin flat but rounding evenly into the lateral margins. Compound eyes moderately protruding past the lateral margins of the head capsule. In profile view, compound eyes ovular and moderately large (OI 20–21), with 15 ommatidia in the longest row. Pronotal declivity indistinct, but transition from the anterior to dorsal faces of the pronotum marked by a change in sculpture, from finely areolate to longitudinally rugose; neck and anterior face of pronotum forming a ~120 <i> °</i> angle. Mesosoma evenly convex from where it joins the pronotal neck to the propodeal spines. Promesonotal suture extending from the posterior margin of the procoxal insertion only to the mesothoracic spiracle, which is well developed. Metanotal groove visible as a faint disruption of the sculpture laterally from where it arises between the mid- and hind coxae to where it ends in the poorly developed metathoracic spiracle, which is nearly indistinguishable from the ground sculpture. Propodeal spiracle well developed, directed posteriorly, and separated from the propodeal declivity by about two and a half spiracle diameters. Propodeal spines well developed (PSI 40–48), longer than the propodeal declivity, tapering evenly from the base, directed straight posteriorly, slightly upcurved at the tips in some specimens, and acute. Propodeal declivity flat, forming a rounded ~70 <i> °</i> angle with the base of the propodeal spines. Propodeal lobes rounded and weakly developed. Metapleural gland bulla small, extending from the metacoxal insertion halfway to the propodeal spiracle. Petiole moderately long (PLI 160–208), without tubercles anterodorsally. Subpetiolar process in the form of a small, blunt tooth; ventral margin of petiole bulging slightly immediately anterior to where the petiolar node arises. Petiolar peduncle moderately long: petiolar node comprising about a third of the petiolar dorsum. Petiolar node strongly squamiform: transition between peduncle and node abrupt: marked by a rounded angle of ~90 <i> °</i> ; anterior face of the node is strongly concave and overhangs the peduncle; anterior face forming a ~90 <i> °</i> angle with the very short dorsal face, which rounds evenly into the convex posterior face. Postpetiole evenly convex anterodorsally, and convex ventrally. In dorsal view, humeri moderately well developed: evenly rounded and slightly wider than the rest of the mesosoma; mesothoracic spiracles protruding past the lateral margins of the mesosoma, visible as angles where the pronotum meets the mesonotum. Promesonotal suture visible as a slight disruption in the surface sculpture. Metanotal groove absent: mesonotum and propodeum completely fused and lateral margins converging evenly to the bases of the propodeal spines. Propodeal spines broadly approximated basally and strongly diverging in basally, becoming parallel apically before slightly diverging again at the tips. Apices of the propodeal spines separated from each other by about three quarters of their length, the negative space between them “U” shaped. Petiolar peduncle with spiracles weakly protruding past the lateral margins, but not noticeably constricted anterior to them. When viewed posterodorsally, the petiolar node spade-shaped as in <i>Temnothorax pastinifer</i>, but very broad transversely, nearly twice as wide as the caudal cylinder at its broadest point. Postpetiole very broad (PWI 234–266), anteroposteriorly compressed, and campaniform, articulating with the nearly the entire anterior margin of the gaster, but leaving angulate corners of the gaster exposed on each side. Anterior margin of the postpetiole broadly convex and evenly rounds into the lateral margins, which diverge slightly to the angulate posterior corners; posterior margin broadly concave. Metafemur moderately to strongly incrassate (FI 271–344). Sculpture: median clypeal carina present, extending posteriorly nearly to the frontal triangle, and flanked on either side by two slightly weaker carinae. Lateral clypeal lobes with additional, weaker carinae; ground sculpture areolate. Antennal scapes densely areolate. All surfaces of the head densely areolate with costulae, but sculpture becomes weaker ventrally. Mesosoma uniformly densely areolate, but lateral face of the pronotum and dorsum of mesosoma with strong rugae; lateral face of the propodeum, meso- and metapleurae with areolae arranged into rows by costulae. Femora areolate and opaque. Petiole shining through weak areolate sculpture on nearly all surfaces, but base and dorsolateral portions of the petiolar node more densely areolate and appearing dull. Postpetiole weakly shining though shallow areolate sculpture. Gaster smooth and shining, but with moderately strong spectral iridescence on the first gastral tergite and sternite. Setae: antennal scapes and funiculi with short, decumbent pilosity. Dorsum of the head, pronotum, waist segments, and gaster with abundant, erect, blunt-tipped setae, the longest of which are about the length of the compound eye. The head dorsum bears ~68, dorsum of mesosoma ~66, petiole 12, postpetiole ~34, and first gastral tergite ~110 setae. Short, sparse pubescence present over the entire body, but difficult to detect against the dense ground sculpture. Color: mandibles, head capsule, mesosoma, peduncle, anterior face of petiolar node, lateral face of postpetiole, distal four tarsi, and base of gaster red; remainder of the body dark brown. <b> Gyne measurements &amp; indices (<i>n</i> = 2):</b> SL = 0.679 –0.685 (0.682); FRS = 0.225 –0.239 (0.232); CW = 0.789 –0.812 (0.801); CWb = 0.731 –0.751 (0.741); PoOC = 0.291 –0.309 (0.300); CL = 0.774 –0.776 (0.775); EL = 0.198 –0.199 (0.199); EW = 0.147 –0.152 (0.150); MD = 0.179 –0.190 (0.185); WL = 1.263 –1.280 (1.272); SPST = 0.338 –0.386 (0.362); MPST = 0.336 –0.339 (0.338); PEL = 0.397 –0.421 (0.409); NOL = 0.197 –0.203 (0.200); NOH = 0.171 –0.183 (0.177); PEH = 0.317 –0.360 (0.339); PPL = 0.200 –0.233 (0.217); PPH = 0.336 –0.349 (0.343); PW = 0.793 –0.828 (0.811); SBPA = 0.408 –0.442 (0.425); SPTI = 0.374 –0.428 (0.401); PEW = 0.204 –0.218 (0.211); PNW = 0.276 –0.300 (0.288); PPW = 0.529 –0.552 (0.541); HFL = 0.772 –0.780 (0.776); HFWmax = 0.159 –0.160 (0.160); HFWmin = 0.063 –0.070 (0.067); CS = 1.118 –1.139 (1.129); ES = 0.273 –0.274 (0.273); SI = 90–94 (92); OI = 24–25 (24); CI = 94–97 (96); WLI = 168–175 (172); SBI = 56–59 (57); PSI = 26–31 (28); PWI = 253–259 (256); PLI = 181–199 (190); NI = 108–119 (113); PNWI = 135–138 (136); NLI = 47–51 (49); FI = 227–254 (241). <b>Gyne description:</b> In full-face view, head subquadrate, about as long as broad (CI 94–97). Mandibles densely, finely striate, but shining and armed with five teeth: the apical-most well developed, followed by a less developed preapical tooth and three equally developed smaller teeth. Anterior clypeal margin flat medially. Antennal scapes very long: when fully retracted, surpassing the posterior margin of the head capsule by about two times the maximum width of the scape (SI 90–94). Antennae 12-segmented; antennal club composed of three segments, with the apical-most segment slightly longer than the preceding two in combination. Torular laminae not strongly developed: narrower than the distance that separates them. Frontal carinae moderately short, extending past the antennal toruli by about two times the maximum width of the antennal scape. Compound eyes moderately protruding past the lateral margins of the head capsule. Lateral margin of head evenly convex, converging from below the compound eyes to the mandibular insertions. Posterior head margin flat, rounding evenly into the lateral margins. In profile view, compound eyes ovular and moderately large (OI 24–25), with 16 ommatidia in longest row. Mesoscutum rounded evenly anteriorly, covering the dorsal surface of the pronotum, and weakly convex dorsally. Mesoscutellum slightly depressed below the level of the mesoscutum. Posterior margin of metanotum extending slightly past the posterior margin of the mesoscutum. Propodeal spiracle well developed, directed posterolaterally, and separated from the propodeal declivity by about two and a half spiracle diameters. Propodeal spines stout, well developed, and moderately long (PSI 26–31), about as long as the propodeal declivity, tapering evenly from the base, directed posteriorly, straight, and blunt. Propodeal declivity weakly concave, forming a rounded ~100 <i> °</i> angle with the base of the propodeal spines. Propodeal lobes rounded and very weakly developed. Metapleural gland bulla small, extending from the metacoxal insertion halfway to the propodeal spiracle. Petiole moderately long (PLI 181–199), with weakly developed tubercles anterodorsally. Subpetiolar process in the form of a small, acute tooth; ventral margin of petiole bulging slightly posterior to it. Petiolar peduncle moderately long: petiolar node comprising about a third of the petiolar dorsum. Petiolar node strongly squamiform, but not as extreme as in the worker: transition between peduncle and node abrupt: marked by a rounded angle of ~110 <i> °</i> ; anterior face of the node is strongly concave but does not overhang the peduncle; anterior face forming a ~90 <i> °</i> angle with the very short dorsal face, which rounds evenly into the convex posterior face. Postpetiole evenly rounded anterodorsally, bulging slightly before it transitions into the flattened dorsal face; ventral surface weakly lobed. In dorsal view, mesoscutum covering pronotum anteriorly, but humeri visible laterally as rounded sclerites. Propodeal spines weakly diverging apically, their apices separated from each other by about one and a half times their length. Petiolar peduncle with spiracles strongly protruding past the lateral margins, but not noticeably constricted anterior to them. When viewed posterodorsally, the petiolar node spade-shaped but not as transversely broad as in the worker; dorsal margin weakly emarginated. Postpetiole very broad (PWI 253–259), anteroposteriorly compressed, and campaniform, articulating with most of the anterior margin of the gaster, leaving small, angulate margins on each side exposed. Anterior margin of postpetiole broadly convex and evenly rounding into the lateral margins, which diverge to the angulate posterior corners; posterior margin broadly concave. Metafemur weakly to moderately incrassate (FI 227–254). Sculpture: median clypeal carina present, extending from the anterior margin nearly to frontal triangle, and flanked by three weaker carinae on each side. Lateral clypeal lobes with additional weaker carinae; ground sculpture areolate. Antennal scapes densely areolate. All surfaces of the head densely areolate and costulate, but sculpture becomes weaker ventrally. Nearly all surfaces of the mesosoma densely areolate, with costulae overlying the ground sculpture, but mesopleurae, lateral face of the propodeum, and propodeal declivity lack costulae. Femora appearing dull and
description: Published as part of <i>Prebus, Matthew M., 2021, Taxonomic revision of the Temnothorax salvini clade (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), with a key to the clades of New World Temnothorax, pp. 1-462 in PeerJ (e 11514) (e 11514) 9</i> on pages 224-232, DOI: 10.7717/peerj.11514, http://zenodo.org/record/5102026
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