New additions to the fauna of ants of the genus Temnothorax Mayr, 1861 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of Pakistan

Two new ant species Temnothorax himalaicum sp. n., and T. khatrii sp. n., are described from Pakistan. Temnothorax himalaicum sp. n. is characterized by a head of moderate length, a mesosoma of medium length, without metanotal groove, propodeum with long, thin spines that are curved at the ends; the head dorsum is smooth and shiny, the rest of the head with coarse longitudinal rugose sculpture, the mesosoma with coarse longitudinal reticulate rugae laterally and dorsally, the gaps between which are smooth and shiny; the colour of the mesosoma and waist is reddish-orange, the head is dark brown, the gaster is almost black, without a light spot at the base. Temnothorax khatrii sp. n. is characterized by a short head, relatively long mesosoma with a deep metanotal groove, propodeum with very short, but distinct, acute triangular teeth; the head is smooth and shiny, only the areas around the eyes and genae with longitudinal rugae, the mesosoma is smooth and shiny, only the sides of the pronotum and mesopleurae with rare, fine longitudinal rugae; mesosoma and waist are light brown; head and gaster are darker. Temnothorax microreticulatus Bharti, Gul et Schulz, 2012 is recorded for the first time for this country. An identification key to worker caste of known species for Pakistan is provided.ZooBank Article LSID: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:6F1E2D2C-CF0B-4EED-8607-4BA8326D6C3