Taxonomy of Temnothorax simlensis stat. nov. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) with first description of sexual castes along with a mention of its plesiobiotic association with Himalayan species of genus Myrmica

Abstract

Taxonomy of Temnothorax simlensis stat. nov. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) with first description of sexual castes along with a mention of its plesiobiotic association with Himalayan species of genus Myrmica IntroductionThe genus Temnothorax Mayr is represented globally by 388 extant species and 47 extant subspecies (Bolton, 2016). From India, 10 species and 2 subspecies have been reported so far (Bharti et al., 2016) and a comprehensive outline of the Indian Temnothorax was provided by Bharti et al. (2012) along with the description of three new species from Himalaya. Temnothorax rothneyi simlensis was described by Forel (1904) as a subspecies of Temnothorax rothneyi (Forel, 1902) based on the worker caste. The queen and male castes were unknown till date. Here Temnothorax rothneyi simlensis (Forel) is accorded species status, with reports of hitherto un-described queen and male caste. In addition, we provide first-hand information about the plesiobiotic association of this species with Himalayan species of genus Myrmica. A revised key to the worker caste of known Indian species of Temnothorax is also provided. AbstractThe subspecies Temnothorax rothneyi simlensis (Forel) is raised to species rank as Temnothorax simlensis stat. nov. All three castes are recorded, with the queen and male castes described for the first time. This revision is based on the comparative data from morphometry, descriptions, digital images and distribution. In addition, we provide first-hand information about the plesiobiotic association of this species with Himalayan species of genus Myrmica. A revised key to the worker caste of known Indian species of Temnothorax is also provided.

Myrmicine ants of Nepal with six new records and updated species list (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmicinae)

“…The species is characterized by smooth and shiny head, except few striations on frons, between the eyes and frontal edges, 12-segmented antennae with distinct antennal club, metanotal groove distinct, mesosoma finely sculptured and almost smooth, propodeal spines very short, blunt denticles in dorsal view, peduncle of petiole long, petiolar node rounded in profile-view, erect or suberect hair spread all over the body, gaster ovate, smooth and shiny. The species diagnosis is based upon original species description (Forel 1904) and keys (Bharti et al 2016b;Yusupov et al 2020). These ants are very close to T. inermis but differs by finely sculptured mesosoma in contrast to quite coarse mesosoma in inermis, and by the Distribution and natural history: Temnothorax wroughtonii was previously known only from NW India and this is a new record for Nepal.…”