Taxonomy of the ant genera Leptothorax Mayr, 1855 and Temnothorax Mayr, 1861 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of China with descriptions of twenty-eight new species and a key to the known Chinese species Author Qian, Yu-Han E177BEB3-91D4-4158-86A7-FEE769033DE1 Key Laboratory of Forest Disaster Warning and Control in Yunnan Province, College of Biodiversity Conservation, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, Yunnan Province 650224, China. & Key Laboratory for Forest Resources Conservation and Utilization in the Southwest Mountains of China, Ministry of Education, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, Yunnan 650224, China. nerv6667@163.com Author Xu, Zheng-Hui 7C231A34-DFD1-418B-9D2B-5E0757B15EAE Key Laboratory of Forest Disaster Warning and Control in Yunnan Province, College of Biodiversity Conservation, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, Yunnan Province 650224, China. xuzhenghui1962@163.com text European Journal of Taxonomy 2024 936 1 97 https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/2569/11663 journal article 298477 10.5852/ejt.2024.936.2569 413508e2-d5fe-4b37-bf05-a08a036fbc38 2118-9773 11639224 53A95458-F2C4-4486-A80B-14B121D1BD14 Temnothorax lixia sp. nov. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 3B5330F3-B584-414B-AB63-C011D07CB7F5 Fig. 28 Diagnosis This new species is similar to T. chun sp. nov. ( Fig. 5 ), but differs in the new species propodeal spines straight in lateral view, petiolar node obviously dissymmetrical with anterodorsal corner bluntly angled and higher than posterodorsal corner, head dorsum densely longitudinally rugose, sides of pronotum reticulate; in T. chun propodeal spines weakly posteriorly curved in lateral view, petiolar node nearly symmetrical with anterodorsal corner narrowly rounded and as high as posterodorsal corner, head dorsum loosely longitudinally rugose, and sides of pronotum coarsely longitudinally rugose. The new species is also similar to T. dong sp. nov. ( Fig. 15 ), but differs in the new species propodeal spines shorter than half length of declivity in lateral view, petiolar node relatively thick with sloping dorsum, mesosomal sides coarsely reticulate; in T. dong propodeal spines longer than half length of declivity in lateral view, petiolar node relatively thin without obvious dorsum, mesosomal sides densely punctate. Etymology The specific epithet refers to ‘lixia’, one of the 24 Solar Terms of China . Material examined Holotype worker CHINA • Sichuan Province , Kangding County , Pengta Town , Tongling Village ; 30.501231° N , 102.300811° E ; 2450 m a.s.l. ; 31 Aug. 2005 ; Zheng-Hui Xu leg.; Winkler sample from Pinus yunnanensis forest; SWFU A05-945 . Paratype workers CHINA • 2 workers ; same collection data as for holotype; SWFU A05-945 • 1 worker ; same collection data as for holotype; 2500 m a.s.l. ; 2 Sep. 2005 ; foraging on the ground; SWFU A05-869 . Description Measurements of holotype worker: TL 2.4, HL 0.62, HW 0.52, CI 84, SL 0.52, SI 100, ED 0.12, PW 0.38, WL 0.76, PL 0.25, PH 0.20, DPW 0.15. In full-face view head roughly rectangular, longer than broad, posterior margin slightly convex, posterior corners broadly rounded, lateral margins weakly convex. Mandibles triangular, masticatory margin with 5 teeth. Clypeal dorsum weakly convex, without median carina, anterior margin straight in the middle. Frontal lobes narrow, concealing half of antennal sockets. Frontal carinae short, about as long as frontal lobes. Antennae 12-segmented, scapes almost reaching to posterior head margin, antennal clubs 3-segmented. Eyes located at midpoint of lateral head margin, occupying ¼ of lateral margin. In lateral view promesonotum weakly convex and gently sloping down posteriorly, promesonotal suture and metanotal groove absent. Propodeal dorsum almost straight and gently sloping down posteriorly, slightly convex anteriorly and medially; propodeal spines short and triangular, as long as their basal width, about ½ length of declivity; declivity slightly concave; propodeal lobes short, rounded apically. Petiole with short anterior peduncle, about ⅔ length of petiolar node; petiolar node roughly triangular, anterior margin straight, posterior margin moderately convex, top corner narrowly rounded; ventral margin almost straight anteriorly, weakly concave posteriorly, anteroventral corner minutely toothed. Postpetiole as high as petiolar node, anterodorsal margin rounded, posterior margin almost straight, ventral margin moderately concave. In dorsal view pronotum broadest, anterior margin moderately convex, humeral corners very broadly rounded, lateral margins strongly convex. Promesonotal suture and metanotal groove absent. Mesothorax weaklyly constricted, lateral margins weakly concave. Propodeum roughly rectangular, lateral margins almost straight; spines short, roughly triangular, pointed posterolaterally. Petiole roughly trapezoidal and widening posteriorly, longer than broad, lateral margins slightly convex. Postpetiole roughly trapezoidal and narrowing posteriorly, about 1.4 times as broad as petiole, anterolateral corners narrowly rounded, lateral margins weakly convex. Gaster elongate oval. Mandibles longitudinally striate. Head dorsum densely longitudinally rugose, gradually reticulate posteriorly and laterally with interface densely punctate. Clypeus smooth, each side with 2–3 longitudinal rugae. Mesosoma reticulate; pronotal sides coarsely reticulate; mesopleura and upper part of metapleura finely reticulate; lower part of metapleura longitudinally rugose; propodeal sides, petiolar dorsum and postpetiolar dorsum densely puncate; petiolar sides and postpetiolar sides finely reticulate. Gaster smooth and shiny. Body dorsum with sparse erect to suberect apically blunt short hairs and sparse decumbent pubescence; hairs on head and gaster relatively abundant. Scapes and tibiae with dense decumbent pubescence. Body color black; mandibles, antennae and legs brownish yellow, scapes and femora blackish brown. Fig . 28. Temnothorax lixia sp. nov. , holotype worker (SWFU A05-869). A . Head in full-face view. B . Body in lateral view. C . Body in dorsal view. Measurements of paratype workers: TL 2.3–2.5, HL 0.60–0.63, HW 0.50–0.55, CI 83–88, SL 0.48–0.50, SI 86–100, ED 0.08–0.10, PW 0.35–0.36, WL 0.70–0.75, PL 0.25–0.30, PH 0.18–0.20, PNW 0.10–0.13 (3 individuals measured). As holotype worker. Ecological notes This new species inhabits Pinus yunnanensis forest ( Fig. 69I ) at an elevation of 2450–2500 m , and forages on the ground. Distribution China : Sichuan .