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Key to Temnothorax nitens species group workers

AntWiki: The Ants --- Online

This worker key is based on: Mackay, W. P. 2000. A review of the New World ants of the subgenus Myrafant, (genus Leptothorax) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Sociobiology. 36:265-444.

Three species in the tricarinatus complex, T. adustus, T. chandleri, and T. coleenae, are included in the key as the sharp node of the petiole may cause them to be confused with members of this species complex.

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1

  • Dorsum of head predominantly smooth and shining . . . . . 2
  • Dorsum of head predominantly sculptured, occasionally central strip free of sculpture . . . . . 5

2

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  • Scapes extending to occipital corners; anterior medial border of clypeus strongly concave, crenulated with teeth that terminate carinae on clypeus; Guatemala . . . . . Temnothorax stollii
  • Scapes not reaching occipital corners; anterior medial border of clypeus weakly concave and not crenulated . . . . . 3

3

return to couplet #2

  • Dorsum of mesosoma coarsely punctured (at least propodeum) . . . . . 4

4

return to couplet #3

  • Posterior face of petiole with fine rugulae; common and widely distributed in western North America . . . . . Temnothorax mariposa = Temnothorax nitens
  • Posterior flace of petiole punctate; New Mexico . . . . . Temnothorax melinus = Temnothorax nitens

5

return to couplet #1

6

return to couplet #5

  • Propodeal spines developed (Fig. 34, right); California and northeastern

Mexico . . . . . 7

  • Propodeal armature consisting of simple angles; western North America . . . . . 8

7

return to couplet #6

  • Side of pronotum punctate (top with rugae); California . . . . . Temnothorax maryanae = Temnothorax nevadensis

8

return to couplet #6

  • Concolorous pale brown or yellow ........... . . . . . 9

9

return to couplet #8

+ tricarinatus complex species