Temnothorax nylanderi species-group of myrmicine ants is characterized. Eighteen species belonging to this group in the Ponto-Mediterranean region are described or redefined based on an integrative approach that combines exploratory analyses of morphometric data and of a 658bp fragment of the mitochondrial gene for the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (CO I). The species group is subdivided into five species complexes: T. angustifrons complex, T. lichtensteini complex, T. nylanderi complex, T. parvulus complex, T. sordidulus complex, and two species, T. angulinodissp. n. and T. flavicornis  form their own lineages. We describe seven new species , raise T. tergestinus  stat.n. to species level, and propose a new junior synonymy for T. saxonicus  syn.n. (junior synonym of T. tergestinus). We describe the worker caste and provide high quality images and distributional maps for all eighteen species. Furthermore, we provide a decision tree as an alternative identification key that visually gives an overview of this species-group. We make the first application to Formicidae of the Semantic Phenotype approach that has been used in previous taxonomic revisions.In the current revisionary work, the  Temnothorax (formerly synonymized with Leptothorax) is one of the most speciose ant genera on earth, with 380 valid species and 47 subspecies worldwide (http://www.antcat.org). It is especially well represented in the European fauna. Members of the genus occur in a great variety of habitats and display a considerable range of social behavior , ne, neTemnon making , 10], d, dTemnotn making , the regn making , 13], , , , , , , 25] th th25] thic areas , 27], . T. TTemnothodology , 31], . I. ITemnoter group , 35]..TemnothoT. nylanderi species-group in the Ponto-Mediterranean region is coupled with a large number of cryptic species , w, wT. nyl species , using mIn our study we initially recognized morphological patterns using the exploratory data analysis tool NC-clustering , which aTemnothorax and help to better understand the biogeographic patterns of this genus in the Ponto-Mediterranean region.Our data reveal cryptic diversity in this species-group of the genus type material investigated. Non-type material that was morphometrically examined in this revision is listed in GRE:Levidi-10S-20000427-123) generated from the original label information as follows:In the present study, we recorded 22 continuous morphometric traits in 1693 worker individuals belonging to 526 nest samples. Specimens for the present study were borrowed from public and private collections, see the list of institutions below. Our study did not involve endangered or protected species. Label information of type material is given for each taxon in the section A three-letter country code , the nearest settlement given in the label (separated from the following parts by hyphens), the distance and direction from it, the sampling date in alpha-numeric format and a final unique field sample identifier.http://www.antweb.org) and can be uniquely identified by their specimen-level codes affixed to each pin. Information about the taxonomic history of the taxa redefined below is based on B. Bolton in AntCat (http://www.antcat.org). Distribution maps were generated by QGIS 2.4.0 software http://prHereby we propose two new template EQ expression as an expansion of the semantic statement types described by Balhoff et al.  and MikóAngle between anatomical linesAngles between anatomical lines are often used in taxonomic treatments of Formicidae:NL: Dorsal profile of petiolar node contour line angle value to frontal profile of petiole contour line in lateral view: 72–82°”We expressed angle value between anatomical lines using PATO’s angle and UO’s degree with the combination of our previously proposed relative and absolute measurement phenotypes:SP: ‘has part' some  and ))) and (towards some 'anterior profile of petiolar node contour line'))))ColorationWe present color hue and intensity as separated entity attributes:NL: Body color: brownSP: 'has part' some (body and ('bearer of' some brown))andNL: Body color pattern: mesosoma, antenna and legs excluding femora, waist and anterior region of 1st gastral tergite lighter than head, femora and posterior region of gaster.SP: ('has part' some (cranium and ('bearer of' some ('color brightness' and (similar_in_magnitude_relative_to some ('color brightness' and ('inheres in' some femur))))))) and ('has part' some (cranium and ('bearer of' some ('color brightness' and (similar_in_magnitude_relative_to some ('color brightness' and ('inheres in' some ('posterior region' and ('part of' some gaster))))))))) and ('has part' some (mesosoma and ('bearer of' some ('color brightness' and (increased_in_magnitude_relative_to some ('color brightness' and ('inheres in' some cranium))))))) and )))))) and ('has part' some (mesosoma and ('bearer of' some ('color brightness' and (similar_in_magnitude_relative_to some('color brightness' and ('inheres in' some antenna))))))) and ('has part' some (mesosoma and ('bearer of' some ('color brightness' and (similar_in_magnitude_relative_to some ('color brightness' and ('inheres in' some ('anterior region' and ('part of' some gaster))))))))) and ('has part' some ((not (femur)) and ('part of' some (leg and ('bearer of' some ('color brightness' and (similar_in_magnitude_relative_to some ('color brightness' and ('inheres in' some mesosoma)))))))))Temnothorax nylanderi species-group required a complex work flow for morphometric pattern recognition. Combined stepwise analyses were done to achieve the best results. Iterated confirmatory analyses (Steps 2 and 3) helped to support the position of various samples predicted by prior steps (Step 1).The complexity of the Temnothorax nylanderi species-group. A hierarchical, agglomerative nesting method, Nest Centroid Clustering (NC clustering) was employed to reveal complex patterns in the complete dataset . …Temnothorax lichtensteini - Spine length vs. absolute cephalic size (SPST/CS) < 0.384 . …Temnothorax subtilis sp. n.4. Spine length vs. absolute cephalic size (SPST/CS) < 0.219 . …- Spine length vs. absolute cephalic size (SPST/CS) > 0.219 …55. Postocular distance vs. Maximum height of the petiolar node (PoOC/NOH) > 2.678 …6- Postocular distance vs. Maximum height of the petiolar node (PoOC/NOH) < 2.678 …96. Spine length vs. absolute cephalic size (SPST/CS) < 0.283 . Turkey)…- Spine length vs. absolute cephalic size (SPST/CS) > 0.283 . …7Temnothorax angustifrons sp. n.7. Frontal carina distance vs. absolute cephalic size (FRS/CS) < 0.334 . …- Frontal carina distance vs. absolute cephalic size (FRS/CS) < 0.334 …8Temnothorax similis sp. n.8. Mesosoma longer ML/CS > 1.228 . Brown species. Head dorsum smooth and shiny. Ground sculpture inconspicuously areolate, smooth and shiny superimposed by feeble costulae only South Anatolia, Turkey…Temnothorax helenae sp. n.- Mesosoma longer ML/CS < 1.228 . Yellow to light brown species. Whole head dorsum areolate superimposed be feeble costulae, occasionally narrow median strip inconspicuously areolate, shiny. Greek mainland, Crete and a single record known from North Anatolia, Turkey…T. helenae sp. n. from T. ariadnae sp. n. may be difficult if only a single diagnostic feature is considered, more accurate option for separation is given under given in differential diagnosis under T. ariadnae sp. n.Note: Perfect separation of 9. Propodeal spines longer: SPST/CL > 0.294 …10- Propodeal spines shorter: SPST/CL < 0.294 …11Temnothorax angulinodis sp. n.10. Petiole higher: PEH/CS > 0.402 . In lateral view frontal profile of petiolar node meeting dorso-caudal plate in an acute angle (72–82°) with a sharp ridge. Endemic to Peloponnese peninsula, Greece…Temnothorax crassispinus .- Petiole lower: PEH/CS < 0.380 . Petiolar node in lateral view with a concave frontal profile meeting truncate dorsum in an obtuse angle (100–115°) with a narrowly rounded transition, without a conspicuous sharp fronto-dorsal ridge on the petiolar node. Central-East Europe and the Balkans…T. crassispinus from T. crasecundus may be difficult based on a single diagnostic feature, more accurate option for their separation is given in differential diagnosis of T. crassispinus.Note: Separation of 11. Head considerably longer than broad: CL/CWb > 1.179  with straight sides…12- Head shorter: CL/CWb < 1.179  sides remarkably convex…1612. Known from mainland of Europe only…13- Known from Anatolian Turkey and Crete Island…14Temnothorax sordidulus  (see note under T. tergestinus)13. Petiole longer: PL/CS > 0.422 . Black species. Main sculpture on head dorsum coarse, longitudinally rugulose and/or carinulate, ground sculpture conspicuously areolate, always dull. Endemic to Dinaran Alps…Temnothorax tergestinus  stat.n.- Petiole shorter: PL/CS < 0.422 . Dark brown to black species. Main sculpture on head dorsum coarse, longitudinally rugulose and/or carinulate, ground sculpture conspicuously areolate, always dull. Central and South Europe excluding Dinaran Alps…T sordidulus may be difficult if only a single diagnostic feature is considered. A more accurate way for separation is suggested in”differential diagnosis” under T sordidulus.Note: Perfect separation of this species from 14. From dorsal view base of propodeal spines less distant: SPBA/CWb < 0.30 .Temnothorax lucidus sp. n.Yellow species. Head dorsum smooth and shiny. Ground sculpture inconspicuously areolate, smooth and shiny superimposed by feeble costulae only. Anatolia, Turkey…- From dorsal view base of propodeal spines more distant: SPBA/CWb > 0.30 …15Temnothorax artvinensis Seifert, 200615. Petiolar node longer: NOL/CS > 0.251 . Black species. Main sculpture on head dorsum coarse, longitudinally rugulose and/or carinulate, ground sculpture conspicuously areolate, always dull. North Anatolia, Turkey… Temnothorax ariadnae sp. n. (see note under T. helenae sp. n.)-Petiolar node shorter: NOL/CS < 0.251 . Brown to dark brown species. Whole head dorsum uniformly areolate, narrow median strip occasionally inconspicuously areolate, shiny. Endemic to Crete…16. From dorsal view base of propodeal spines less distant: SPBA/CS < 0.283 …17- From dorsal view base of propodeal spines more distant: SPBA/CS > 0.283 …18Temnothorax nylanderi 17. Propodeal spines longer: SPST/CS > 0.262 . Yellow to brown species. Head dorsum with areolate ground sculpture always superimposed by parallel costulate main sculpture, dull. Central and West Europe: Italy, Austria, Germany and westward…Temnothorax lucidus sp. n.- Propodeal spines shorter: SPST/CS < 0.262 . Yellow species. Head dorsum smooth and shiny. Ground sculpture inconspicuously areolate, smooth and shiny superimposed by feeble costulae only. Anatolia, Turkey…Temnothorax schoedli Seifert, 200618. Postocular area shorter: PoOC/CL < 0.375 . Brown species. Main sculpture of head dorsum heterogeneous: on sides areolate ground sculpture always superimposed by parallel costulate main sculpture, dull, median part of head dorsum shiny. South-Central Anatolia, Turkey…- Postocular area longer: PoOC/CL > 0.375  …19Temnothorax crasecundus Seifert & Csősz, 201419. Known from East Europe, the Balkans, Turkey and the Caucasus. Yellow to brown species. Whole head dorsum areolate superimposed by feeble costulae, occasionally narrow median strip inconspicuously areolate, shiny…Temnothorax nylanderi - Known from Central and West Europe: Italy, Austria, Germany and further west. Yellow to brown species. Head dorsum with areolate ground sculpture always superimposed by parallel costulate main sculpture, dull…Temnothorax nylanderi species-group can be found following the diagnoses of species complexes to which they belong. Species complexes are defined based on morphological similarities, but not fully supported by molecular (mtDNA) data. Patterns formerly recognized by NC-clustering were tested by confirmatory Linear Discriminant Analysis (Steps 2 and 3). The results of complex-wise analyses (Step 3) are displayed in scatterplots for each species-complex defined below.The description and redefinition of species belonging to the Ponto-Mediterranean Temnothorax taxa , ;Paratypes: Greece_27, Peloponnesus, 22 km NNW Tripolis, Menalo Oros, 37.6539N, 22.2676E, 1500-1700mH, 29.IV.2011, leg. A. Schulz „256”, , [GRE:Tripolis-22NNW-20110429-256]; Greece, Peloponnesus, Melanos Oros, 20 km NNW. Tripolis, 5 km SW. Levidion, 37.6607N, 22.2546E, 1700mH, 03.06.1994, leg. A. Schulz „1380”, (3## HNHM), [GRE:Levidion-5SW-19940603-1380]; Greece, Peloponnesus, Melanos Oros, 20 km NNW. Tripolis, 5 km SW. Levidion, 37.6607N, 22.2546E, 1700mH, 03.06.1994, leg. A. Schulz „1383” (2## HNHM), [GRE:Levidion-5SW-19940603-1383];The list of 15 non-type individuals belonging to 5 nest samples of other material investigated is given in Body color: brown. Body color pattern: mesosoma, antenna and legs excluding femora, waist and anterior region of 1st gastral tergite lighter than head, femora and posterior region of gaster. Absolute cephalic size: 594–657 μm . Cephalic length vs. Maximum width of head capsule (CL/CWb): 1.171–1.222 (mean = 1.203). Postocular distance vs. cephalic length (PoOc/CL): 0.356–0.378 (mean = 0.368). Eye length vs. absolute cephalic size (EL/CS): 0.257–0.274 (mean = 0.265). Frontal carina distance vs. absolute cephalic size (FRS/CS): 0.366–0.388 (mean = 0.374). Median region of antennal rim vs. frontal carina in frontal view: not fully overlapped by frontal carina. Concentric carinae lateral to antennal foramen count: present. Carinae on medial region of frons shape: branched. Smooth median region on frons count: absent. Longitudinal carinae on median region of frons count: present. Median carina of clypeus count: present. Lateral carinae of clypeus count: present. Sculpture of submedian area of clypeus: smooth. Gena sculpture: rugoso-reticulate with feeble areolate ground sculpture. Gena frontal view shape: feebly convex. Genae contour from anterior view orientation: converging. Postocular sides of cranium contour frontal view orientation: converging posteriorly. Postocular side of cranium shape: feebly convex. Vertex sculpture: main sculpture homogenously forked costate, ground sculpture areolate; main sculpture dispersed forked costate sculpture, ground sculpture areolate. Posterior margin of vertex in frontal view shape: straight. Antennomere count: 12. Scape length vs. absolute cephalic size (SL/CS): 0.797–0.816 (mean = 0.808). Facial area of the scape absolute setal angle: 0–15°. External area of the scape absolute setal angle: 30°. Maximum mesosoma width vs. absolute cephalic size (MW/CS): 0.610–0.636 (mean = 0.621). Lateral region of pronotum sculpture: areolate ground sculpture, main sculpture forked costate. Dorsal region of mesosoma sculpture: rugulose with areolate ground sculpture. Metanotal depression count: present. Metanotal depression shape: shallow. Mesopleuron sculpture: areolate ground sculpture superimposed by dispersed rugulae. Metapleuron sculpture: areolate ground sculpture superimposed by dispersed rugulae. Spine length vs. absolute cephalic size (SPST/CS): 0.332–0.369 (mean = 355). Median anatomical line of propodeal spine vs. to Weber length angle value in lateral view: 32–38°. Apical spine distance vs. absolute cephalic size (SPTI/CS): 0.366–0.398 (mean = 0.386). Maximum spine distance vs. absolute cephalic size (SPWI/CS): 0.390–0.419 (mean = 0.409). Minimum spine distance vs. absolute cephalic size (SPBA/CS): 0.262–0.304 (mean = 0.285). Anterodorsal rim of petiole count: present. Anterodorsal edge of petiole dorsal view shape: semicircular. Truncate dorsum of petiolar node count: absent. Truncate dorsum dorsal side contour lateral view: absent. Frontal profile of petiolar node in lateral view shape: straight. Anterodorsal edge of petiole count: present. Anterodorsal edge of petiole angle value: 72–82°. Dorsal region of petiole sculpture: ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture dispersed costulate. Posterodorsal edge of petiole count: absent. Caudal petiolar profile shape: straight; convex. Caudal petiolar profile angle value to ventral margin of petiole: more than 80°. Dorsal region of postpetiole sculpture: ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture dispersed costulate.Due to the unique combination of the long spine, high petiole, and sharp transversal crest on the dorsum of the petiolar node this species is easily distinguishable from related taxa even by simple visual inspection.This species is known only from the Peloponnese peninsula.the Temnothorax angustifrons species-complex can be distinguished from those of other complexes by the combination of the following salient features: light yellow to light brown color; moderately longer than broad head , sculpture of head dorsum shiny, with inconspicuously areolate ground sculpture combined with feeble costulate main sculpture; short to moderately long propodeal spines , deviating from longitudinal axis of mesosoma by 47–52°; petiolar node in lateral view with a weakly concave frontal profile meeting dorso-caudal plate in an obtuse angle (95–105°) with a moderately sharp ridge, in dorsal view appearing as a visible  anterior-lateral rim.Workers of Temnothorax angustifrons sp. n., T. lucidus sp. n., T. similis sp. n., T. subtilis sp. n.) within this complex, which was confirmed by LDA  relative to other Temnothorax species treated in this revision.The species name refers to the frons, which is narrow , [TUR:Edremit-Kalkun-20030510-072];Paratypes: Turkey, Road Edremit to Kalkun, Kaz Daği Mountain, 39.411 N, 27.093 E, 752mH, 10.05.2003, leg. A. Schulz, „072” (1# HNHM), [TUR:Edremit-Kalkun-20030510-072]; Turkey, Road Edremit to Kalkun, Kaz Daği Mountain, 39.411 N, 27.093 E, 752mH, 10.05.2003, leg. A. Schulz, „076” (2## HNHM), [TUR:Edremit-Kalkun-20030510-076];The list of 59 non-type individuals belonging to 17 nest samples of other material investigated is given in Body color: yellow. Body color pattern: mesosoma, antenna and legs, waist and anterior region of 1st gastral tergite lighter than head dorsum and posterior region of gaster. Antennomere count: 12. Antenna color pattern: clava concolorous funicle. Absolute cephalic size: 500–590 μm . Cephalic length vs. Maximum width of head capsule (CL/CWb): 1.193–1.254 (mean = 1.224). Postocular distance vs. cephalic length (PoOc/CL): 0.377–0.401 (mean = 0.389). Postocular sides of cranium contour frontal view orientation: converging posteriorly. Postocular sides of cranium contour frontal view shape: convex. Vertex contour line in frontal view shape: straight. Vertex sculpture: main sculpture dispersed forked costate, ground sculpture inconspicuous areolate. Genae contour from anterior view orientation: converging. Gena contour line in frontal view shape: feebly convex. Gena sculpture: rugoso-reticulate with feeble areolate ground sculpture. Median region of antennal rim vs. frontal carina in frontal view structure: not fully overlapped by frontal carina. Concentric carinae laterally surrounding antennal foramen count: present. Eye length vs. absolute cephalic size (EL/CS): 0.247–0.263 (mean = 0.254). Frontal carina distance vs. absolute cephalic size (FRS/CS): 0.320–0.349 (mean = 0.328). Longitudinal carinae on median region of frons count: present; absent. Longitudinal carinae on medial region of frons shape: forked. Smooth median region on frons count: present. Scape length vs. absolute cephalic size (SL/CS): 0.807–0.832 (mean = 0.821). Facial area of the scape absolute setal angle: 0–15°. External area of the scape absolute setal angle: 30°. Ground sculpture of submedian area of clypeus: smooth. Median carina of clypeus count: present. Lateral carinae of clypeus count: present. Median anatomical line of propodeal spine angle value to Weber length in lateral view: 50–55°. Spine length vs. absolute cephalic size (SPST/CS): 0.200–0.264 (mean = 0.231). Minimum spine distance vs. absolute cephalic size (SPBA/CS): 0.242–0.275 (mean = 0.259). Maximum spine distance vs. absolute cephalic size (SPWI/CS): 0.282–0.319 (mean = 0.298). Apical spine distance vs. absolute cephalic size (SPTI/CS): 0.265–0.298 (mean = 0.284). Maximum mesosoma width vs. absolute cephalic size (MW/CS): 0.588–0.620 (mean = 0.601). Metanotal depression count: present. Metanotal depression shape: deep. Dorsal region of mesosoma sculpture: areolate ground sculpture, superimposed by dispersed rugae. Lateral region of pronotum sculpture: areolate ground sculpture, main sculpture dispersed costate. Mesopleuron sculpture: areolate ground sculpture superimposed by dispersed rugulae. Metapleuron sculpture: areolate ground sculpture superimposed by dispersed rugulae. Frontal profile of petiolar node contour line in lateral view shape: straight; concave. Dorsal profile of petiolar node contour line angle value to frontal profile of petiole contour line in lateral view: 90–100°. Anterodorsal rim of petiole count: absent medially. Dorsal region of petiole sculpture: ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture dispersed rugose; ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture absent. Dorso-caudal petiolar profile contour line in lateral view shape: straight; concave. Dorsal region of postpetiole sculpture: ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture dispersed rugose; ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture absent.Temnothorax angustifrons sp. n. strikingly resembles other members of this complex in Turkey. Therefore, the above specified characters may slightly overlap, but a simple ratio of their combination (FRS/SL) provides an excellent tool to separate this species from its relatives with an error rate of less than 5% for single individuals:This species has the longest scape (SL/CS) and the narrowest frons (FRS/CS) of all species treated in this revision . TemnothT. angustifrons sp.n. (n 67) = 0.398 , T. lucidus sp.n., T. similis sp.n. and T. subtilis sp.n. (n 284) = 0.461 , Combined pool of T. angustifrons sp. n. from other species belonging to other species complexes in Turkey (Simple ratios of the above-mentioned morphometric traits (SL/CS and FRS/CS) also separate n Turkey .This species is known from Western Anatolia, Turkey . Its occurn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:3C96E879-7FB4-4D94-8AC7-805CE9EF187Fm) yellow surface sculpturing of the worker caste.The species epithet “lucidus” refers to the shiny light , [TUR:Arslanköy-3W-20111106-492];Paratypes: TUR:492 Turkey, Taurus Mt., 3 km W. Arslanköy, 37.0024 N, 34.2151 E, 1900mH, 06.11.2011, leg. A. Schulz, , [TUR:Arslanköy-3W-20111106-492]; TUR:493 Turkey, Taurus Mt., 3 km W. Arslanköy, 37.0024 N, 34.2151 E, 1900mH, 06.11.2011, leg. A. Schulz, , [TUR:Arslanköy-3W-20111106-493];The list of 65 non-type individuals belonging to 22 nest samples of other material investigated is given in Body color: yellow. Body color pattern: mesosoma, antenna and legs, waist and anterior region of 1st gastral tergite lighter than head dorsum and posterior region of gaster. Antenna color pattern: clava concolorous funicle. Absolute cephalic size: 560–670 μm . Cephalic length vs. Maximum width of head capsule (CL/CWb): 1.139–1.221 (mean = 1.173). Postocular distance vs. cephalic length (PoOc/CL): 0.368–0.400 (mean = 0.380). Postocular sides of cranium contour frontal view orientation: converging posteriorly. Postocular sides of cranium contour frontal view shape: convex. Vertex contour line in frontal view shape: straight. Vertex sculpture: main sculpture dispersed forked costate, ground sculpture inconspicuous areolate. Genae contour from anterior view orientation: converging. Gena contour line in frontal view shape: feebly convex. Gena sculpture: rugoso-reticulate with feeble areolate ground sculpture. Median region of antennal rim vs. frontal carina in frontal view structure: not fully overlapped by frontal carina. Concentric carinae laterally surrounding antennal foramen count: present. Eye length vs. absolute cephalic size (EL/CS): 0.247–0.276 (mean = 0.262). Frontal carina distance vs. absolute cephalic size (FRS/CS): 0.356–0.389 (mean = 0.370). Longitudinal carinae on median region of frons count: present; absent. Longitudinal carinae on medial region of frons shape: forked. Smooth median region on frons count: present. Antennomere count: 12. Scape length vs. absolute cephalic size (SL/CS): 0.767–0.832 (mean = 0.796). Facial area of the scape absolute setal angle: 0–15°. External area of the scape absolute setal angle: 30°. Ground sculpture of submedian area of clypeus: smooth. Median carina of clypeus count: present. Lateral carinae of clypeus count: present. Median anatomical line of propodeal spine angle value to Weber length in lateral view: 45–50°. Spine length vs. absolute cephalic size (SPST/CS): 0.190–0.259 (mean = 0.236). Minimum spine distance vs. absolute cephalic size (SPBA/CS): 0.241–0.280 (mean = 0.258). Maximum spine distance vs. absolute cephalic size (SPWI/CS): 0.272–0.339 (mean = 0.304). Apical spine distance vs. absolute cephalic size (SPTI/CS): 0.261–0.318 (mean = 0.290). Maximum mesosoma width vs. absolute cephalic size (MW/CS): 0.599–0.636 (mean = 0.621). Metanotal depression count: present. Metanotal depression shape: deep. Dorsal region of mesosoma sculpture: fine areolate ground sculpture, superimposed by dispersed rugae. Lateral region of pronotum sculpture: inconspicuous areolate ground sculpture, main sculpture dispersed costate. Mesopleuron sculpture: fine areolate ground sculpture, superimposed by dispersed rugulae. Metapleuron sculpture: fine areolate ground sculpture, superimposed by dispersed rugulae. Frontal profile of petiolar node contour line in lateral view shape: straight; concave. Dorsal profile of petiolar node contour line angle value to frontal profile of petiole contour line in lateral view: 95–100°. Anterodorsal rim of petiole count: absent medially. Dorsal region of petiole sculpture: ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture dispersed rugose; ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture absent. Dorso-caudal petiolar profile contour line in lateral view shape: straight; concave. Dorsal region of postpetiole sculpture: ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture dispersed rugose; ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture absent.T. angustifrons complex: T. angustifrons sp. n., T. subtilis sp. n. and T. similis sp. n. Nest samples of T. lucidus sp. n. can be separated from those of T. angustifrons sp. n. by their shorter scape (SL/CS) and wider frons (FRS/CS). Their simple ratio (FRS/SL) provides an excellent tool to separate workers with less than 5% of error rate . Ratios of NOH/CS and PEH/CS help to distinguish this species from T. similis sp. n. on the level of nest samples. A discriminant (D4) function, including discriminant scores for separating single individuals with acceptably low error rate, is given in the differential diagnosis of the latter.This species differs from members of other species complexes treated in this revision by its smooth and shiny head dorsum and the relatively short propodeal spines. This character combination is shared with other species belonging to T. lucidus sp. n. from those of T. subtilis sp. n., but in single workers this character may broadly overlap between the two species. A discriminant function with reduced character number (D4) yields 98.6% classification success rate .The spine length ratio  is recommended to separate nest samples of these specie. The same function yields 97.9% classification success rate between single individuals of these species.D3 scores for single individuals:T. helenae sp. n. (n 169) = -1.982 , T. lucidus sp. n. (n 70) = +1.982 , This species is known from South and Central Anatolia, Turkey, and Crete .urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:3BED5669-17A6-479B-9236-DA4FA22E2180m, f = similar) refers to the superficial similarity of this species to T. schoedli.Species epithet , [TUR:Antakya-22NW-20111107-512];Paratypes: TUR:512 Turkey, Nur Dağlari, 22 km NW. Antakya, 36.3050 N, 36.0098 E, 1600-1800mH, 07.11.2011, leg. A. Schulz, (2## HNHM), [TUR:Antakya-22NW-20111107-512]; TUR:515 Turkey, Nur Dağlari, 22 km NW. Antakya, 36.3050 N, 36.0098 E, 1600-1800mH, 07.11.2011, leg. A. Schulz, (4## HNHM), [TUR:Antakya-22NW-20111107-515]; TUR:520 Turkey, Nur Dağlari, 22 km NW. Antakya, 36.3050 N, 36.0098 E, 1600-1800mH, 07.11.2011, leg. A. Schulz, , [TUR:Antakya-22NW-20111107-520]; TUR:547 Turkey, Nur Dağlari, 10 km NW. Hassa, 36.8459 N, 36.4330 E, 1500mH, 08.11.2011, leg. A. Schulz, (4## HNHM), [TUR:Hassa-10NW-20111108-547]; TUR:552 Turkey, Nur Dağlari, 10 km NW. Hassa, 36.8459 N, 36.4330 E, 1500mH, 08.11.2011, leg. A. Schulz, , [TUR:Hassa-10NW-20111108-552];The list of 23 non-type individuals belonging to 8 nest samples of other material investigated is given in Body color: yellow; brown. Body color pattern: mesosoma, antenna and legs, waist and anterior region of 1st gastral tergite lighter than head dorsum and posterior region of gaster. Antenna color pattern: clava concolorous funicle. Absolute cephalic size: 505–635 μm . Cephalic length vs. Maximum width of head capsule (CL/CWb): 1.145–1.233 (m = 1.183). Postocular distance vs. cephalic length (PoOc/CL): 0.371–0.398 (m = 0.386). Postocular sides of cranium contour frontal view orientation: converging posteriorly. Postocular sides of cranium contour frontal view shape: convex. Vertex contour line in frontal view shape: straight. Vertex sculpture: main sculpture dispersed forked costate, ground sculpture inconspicuous areolate. Genae contour from anterior view orientation: converging. Gena contour line in frontal view shape: feebly convex. Gena sculpture: rugoso-reticulate with feeble areolate ground sculpture. Median region of antennal rim vs. frontal carina in frontal view structure: not fully overlapped by frontal carina. Concentric carinae laterally surrounding antennal foramen count: present. Eye length vs. absolute cephalic size (EL/CS): 0.245–0.270 (m = 0.263). Frontal carina distance vs. absolute cephalic size (FRS/CS): 0.352–0.369 (m = 0.361). Longitudinal carinae on median region of frons count: present; absent. Longitudinal carinae on medial region of frons shape: forked. Smooth median region on frons count: present. Antennomere count: 12. Scape length vs. absolute cephalic size (SL/CS): 0.775–0.830 (m = 0.802). Facial area of the scape absolute setal angle: 0–15°. External area of the scape absolute setal angle: 10–15°; 35–40°. Ground sculpture of submedian area of clypeus: smooth. Median carina of clypeus count: present. Lateral carinae of clypeus count: present. Median anatomical line of propodeal spine angle value to Weber length in lateral view: 47–52°. Spine length vs. absolute cephalic size (SPST/CS): 0.220–0.267 (m = 0.245). Minimum spine distance vs. absolute cephalic size (SPBA/CS): 0.261–0.290 (m = 0.277). Maximum spine distance vs. absolute cephalic size (SPWI/CS): 0.299–0.347 (m = 0.321). Apical spine distance vs. absolute cephalic size (SPTI/CS): 0.291–0.326 (m = 0.321). Maximum mesosoma width vs. absolute cephalic size (MW/CS): 0.606–0.641 (m = 0.624). Metanotal depression count: present. Metanotal depression shape: deep. Dorsal region of mesosoma sculpture: fine areolate ground sculpture, superimposed by dispersed rugae. Lateral region of pronotum sculpture: inconspicuous areolate ground sculpture, main sculpture dispersed costate. Mesopleuron sculpture: fine areolate ground sculpture, superimposed by dispersed rugulae. Metapleuron sculpture: fine areolate ground sculpture, superimposed by dispersed rugulae. Frontal profile of petiolar node contour line in lateral view shape: concave. Dorsal profile of petiolar node contour line angle value to frontal profile of petiole contour line in lateral view: 95–105°. Anterodorsal rim of petiole count: absent medially. Dorsal region of petiole sculpture: ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture dispersed rugose; ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture absent. Dorso-caudal petiolar profile contour line in lateral view shape: straight; concave. Dorsal region of postpetiole sculpture: ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture dispersed rugose; ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture absent.Temnothorax similis sp. n. differs from the superficially similar T. schoedli by non-overlapping ranges of PEH/CS and NOH/CS ratios on the level of nest sample means.This species can be distinguished from other species belonging to different species complexes by its inconspicuously sculptured or smooth head and/or its shorter propodeal spines (SPST/CS). T. similis sp. n. differ from those of other species in this complex by having a wider frons (FRS/CS) than T. angustifrons sp. n., a lower petiole (NOH/CS) than T. lucidus sp. n., and longer propodeal spines (SPST/CS) than T. subtilis sp. n.  is provided, that yields 98.6% classification success rate for single individuals.Though workers of . n. see , nest saD4 scores for single individuals:T. angustifrons sp.n. (n 67) = -0.732 , T. lucidus sp. n. (n 70) = -1.442, T. subtilis sp. n. (n 176) = -1.658 , T. similis sp. n. (n 38) = +1.597 , This species is known from South and Central Anatolia, Turkey . Accordiurn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:20A78840-7999-41A0-A525-CE36346A5E14The species epithet „subtilis”  refers to the fine, tiny appearance of this species.Holotype worker labelled: TUR:431 Turkey, Taurus Mt., 5 km SW. Akseki, 37,0257 N, 31,7518 E, 950 mH, 02.11.2011, leg. A. Schulz, , [TUR:Akseki-5SW-20111102-431];Paratypes: TUR:431 Turkey, Taurus Mt., 5 km SW. Akseki, 37,0257 N, 31,7518 E, 950 mH, 02.11.2011, leg. A. Schulz, (1# HNHM), [TUR:Akseki-5SW-20111102-431]; TUR:430 Turkey, Taurus Mt., 5 km SW. Akseki, 37,0257 N, 31,7518 E, 950mH, 02.11.2011, leg. A. Schulz, (3## HNHM), [TUR:Akseki-5SW-20111102-430]; TUR:438 Turkey, Taurus Mt., 5 km SW. Akseki, 37,0257 N, 31,7518 E, 950 mH, 02.11.2011, leg. A. Schulz, (2## HNHM), [TUR:Akseki-5SW-20111102-438]; TUR:441 Turkey, Taurus Mt., 5 km SW. Akseki, 37,0257 N, 31,7518 E, 950 mH, 02.11.2011, leg. A. Schulz, (2## HNHM), [TUR:Akseki-5SW-20111102-441]; Turkey_08 Antalya, 2 km N. Imrasan Geçidi, 12 km N. Akseki, 37,0924 N, 31,803 E, 1400mH, 03.05.1997. leg. A. Schulz, K. Vock, M. Sanetra, , [TUR:Imrasan-Geçidi-2N-19970503-117];The list of 158 non-type individuals belonging to 50 nest samples of other material investigated is given in Body color: yellow. Body color pattern: mesosoma, antenna and legs, waist and anterior region of 1st gastral tergite lighter than head dorsum and posterior region of gaster. Antenna color pattern: clava concolorous funicle. Absolute cephalic size: 499–628 μm . Cephalic length vs. Maximum width of head capsule (CL/CWb): 1.135–1.238 (mean = 1.189). Postocular distance vs. cephalic length (PoOc/CL): 0.374–0.408 (mean = 0.388). Postocular sides of cranium contour frontal view orientation: converging posteriorly. Postocular sides of cranium contour frontal view shape: convex. Vertex contour line in frontal view shape: straight. Vertex sculpture: main sculpture dispersed forked costate, ground sculpture inconspicuous areolate. Genae contour from anterior view orientation: converging. Gena contour line in frontal view shape: feebly convex. Gena sculpture: rugoso-reticulate with feeble areolate ground sculpture. Median region of antennal rim vs. frontal carina in frontal view structure: not fully overlapped by frontal carina. Concentric carinae laterally surrounding antennal foramen count: present. Eye length vs. absolute cephalic size (EL/CS): 0.228–0.268 (mean = 0.249). Frontal carina distance vs. absolute cephalic size (FRS/CS): 0.335–0.375 (mean = 0.360). Longitudinal carinae on median region of frons count: present; absent. Smooth median region on frons count: present. Antennomere count: 12. Scape length vs. absolute cephalic size (SL/CS): 0.735–0.810 (mean = 0.782). Facial area of the scape absolute setal angle: 0–15°. External area of the scape absolute setal angle: 30°. Ground sculpture of submedian area of clypeus: smooth. Median carina of clypeus count: present. Lateral carinae of clypeus count: present. Median anatomical line of propodeal spine angle value to Weber length in lateral view: 47–52°. Spine length vs. absolute cephalic size (SPST/CS): 0.159–0.230 (mean = 0.192). Minimum spine distance vs. absolute cephalic size (SPBA/CS): 0.247–0.300 (mean = 0.272). Maximum spine distance vs. absolute cephalic size (SPWI/CS): 0.266–0.336 (mean = 0.282). Apical spine distance vs. absolute cephalic size (SPTI/CS): 0.256–0.322 (mean = 0.282). Maximum mesosoma width vs. absolute cephalic size (MW/CS): 0.592–0.648 (mean = 0.623). Metanotal depression count: present. Metanotal depression shape: deep. Dorsal region of mesosoma sculpture: fine areolate ground sculpture, superimposed by dispersed rugae. Lateral region of pronotum sculpture: inconspicuous areolate ground sculpture, main sculpture dispersed costate. Mesopleuron sculpture: fine areolate ground sculpture, superimposed by dispersed rugulae. Metapleuron sculpture: fine areolate ground sculpture, superimposed by dispersed rugulae. Frontal profile of petiolar node contour line in lateral view shape: concave. Dorsal profile of petiolar node contour line angle value to frontal profile of petiole contour line in lateral view: 95–105°. Anterodorsal rim of petiole count: absent medially. Dorsal region of petiole sculpture: ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture dispersed rugose; ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture absent. Dorso-caudal petiolar profile contour line in lateral view shape: straight; concave. Dorsal region of postpetiole sculpture: ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture dispersed rugose; ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture absent.T. angustifrons complex yielding 94.5% success in distinguishing nest samples .This species has the shortest propodeal spines of all species treated in this revision, and therefore can be separated from other species complexes by the non-overlapping SPST/CS ratio and its smooth and shiny head. Spine length ratio slightly overlaps with that of other species belonging to  samples  from T. T. subtilis sp. n. and T. similis sp. n. .A discriminant function with reduced character number (D4) arrives at 98.6% classification success between single individuals and complete success for nest sample means of T. subtilis sp. n. from those of T. lucidus sp. n., this character may broadly overlap in single individuals of these two species. In order to determine single workers with high success, a discriminant function with reduced character number (D4 = +0.0717*EL +0.0778*NOH +0.0404*SPST -0.0824*SPBA -10.321) yielding 98.6% classification success rate can be used.Though the SPST/CS ratio see  providesD4 scores for single individuals:T. subtilis sp. n. (n 176) = -2.056 , T. lucidus sp. n. (n 70) = +2.098, Temnothorax subtilis sp. n. can be easily separated from two additional species of the T. parvulus complex that occur in Crete, T. ariadnae sp. n. and T. helenae sp. n., based on the shiny surface of the head dorsum. In exceptional cases or if dust cover obstructs a clear view of the surface sculpture, several ratios help to separate T. subtilis sp. n. from T. ariadnae sp. n.: it has a longer head (CL/CWb), larger eyes (EL/CS) and longer propodeal spines (SPST/CS), and a discriminant function with two characters (D2 = -0.0928*SPST +0.0215*ML -2.811) separates workers of T. subtilis sp. n. from T. helenae sp. n. if surface characteristics are not sufficient.D2 scores for single individuals:T. helenae sp. n. (n 169) = -1.760 , T. subtilis sp. n. (n 176) = 1.690 , This species is known from South Anatolia, Turkey, and Crete .Temnothorax flavicornis species-complex can be distinguished from those of other complexes treated in this revision by the combination of the following salient features: antennae 11 segmented, yellow to light brown color, head rectangular, significantly longer than broad head , sculpture of head dorsum dull: with smooth, or inconspicuously areolate ground sculpture combined with longitudinally rugulose or reticulate main sculpture; long to very long propodeal spines , deviating from longitudinal axis of mesosoma by 40–45°; petiolar node in lateral view with a concave frontal profile meeting conspicuously developed truncate dorsum in an obtuse angle (105–115°) with a narrowly rounded transition, without a conspicuous sharp fronto-dorsal ridge on the petiolar node. This peculiar species-complex consists of a single species, Temnothorax flavicornis Emery, 1870. Separation of this species is revealed by NC-clustering corroborated by LDA  ITALY.Temnothorax: Bolton, 2003: 271.Combination in Lectotype worker: „Leptothorax flavicornis Em.”, „Portrei” [‑] Lectotype Leptothorax flavicornis Emery, 1870 „Top specimen”, det. A. Schulz & M. Verhaagh 1999 (CASENT0904761) (MSNG);The list of 44 non-type individuals belonging to 12 nest samples of other material investigated is given in Body color: yellow. Body color pattern: head, mesosoma, antenna and legs excluding femora, waist and anterior region of 1st gastral tergite lighter than femora and posterior region of gaster. Antenna color pattern: clava concolorous funicle. Absolute cephalic size: 465–516 μm . Cephalic length vs. Maximum width of head capsule (CL/CWb): 1.226–1.299 (mean = 1.266). Postocular distance vs. cephalic length (PoOc/CL): 0.370–0.394 (mean = 0.384). Postocular sides of cranium contour frontal view orientation: parallel. Postocular sides of cranium contour frontal view shape: straight. Vertex contour line in frontal view shape: straight. Vertex sculpture: main sculpture homogenously forked costate, ground sculpture areolate. Genae contour from anterior view orientation: converging. Gena contour line in frontal view shape: feebly convex. Gena sculpture: rugoso-reticulate with areolate ground sculpture; rugoso-reticulate with feeble areolate ground sculpture. Median region of antennal rim vs. frontal carina in frontal view structure: not fully overlapped by frontal carina. Concentric carinae laterally surrounding antennal foramen count: present. Eye length vs. absolute cephalic size (EL/CS): 0.244–0.271 (mean = 0.262). Frontal carina distance vs. absolute cephalic size (FRS/CS): 0.351–0.373 (mean = 0.364). Longitudinal carinae on median region of frons count: present. Longitudinal carinae on medial region of frons shape: forked. Smooth median region on frons count: absent. Antennomere count: 11. Scape length vs. absolute cephalic size (SL/CS): 0.784–0.817 (mean = 0.803). Facial area of the scape absolute setal angle: 0–15°. External area of the scape absolute setal angle: 30°. Ground sculpture of submedian area of clypeus: smooth. Median carina of clypeus count: present. Lateral carinae of clypeus count: present. Median anatomical line of propodeal spine angle value to Weber length in lateral view: 40–45°. Spine length vs. absolute cephalic size (SPST/CS): 0.303–0.420 (mean = 0.358). Minimum spine distance vs. absolute cephalic size (SPBA/CS): 0.322–0.358 (mean = 0.338). Maximum spine distance vs. absolute cephalic size (SPWI/CS): 0.402–0.506 (mean = 0.458). Apical spine distance vs. absolute cephalic size (SPTI/CS): 0.373–0.482 (mean = 0.432). Maximum mesosoma width vs. absolute cephalic size (MW/CS): 0.622–0.653 (mean = 0.637). Metanotal depression count: present. Metanotal depression shape: shallow. Dorsal region of mesosoma sculpture: rugulose with areolate ground sculpture. Lateral region of pronotum sculpture: areolate ground sculpture, main sculpture forked costate. Mesopleuron sculpture: areolate ground sculpture superimposed by dispersed rugulae. Metapleuron sculpture: areolate ground sculpture superimposed by dispersed rugulae. Frontal profile of petiolar node contour line in lateral view shape: concave. Dorsal profile of petiolar node contour line angle value to frontal profile of petiole contour line in lateral view: 105–115°. Anterodorsal rim of petiole count: absent medially. Dorsal profile of petiolar node contour line in lateral view shape: concave. Dorsal region of petiole sculpture: ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture dispersed rugose. Dorso-caudal petiolar profile contour line in lateral view shape: straight; concave. Dorsal region of postpetiole sculpture: ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture dispersed rugose.T. flavicornis might be confused with other long-spined species, i.e., T. laconicus, T. lichtensteini and T. parvulus, but the coarse rugulose or rugulo-reticulate main sculpture on the head dorsum combined with a shiny ground sculpture help to distinguish T. flavicornis from related species by simple visual inspection. In case specimens are covered by dust, a simple ratio (SPBA/CWb) provides perfect separation of T. flavicornis and similar species  at the level of nest sample means , sculpture of head dorsum dull: with areolate ground sculpture combined with longitudinally rugulose or ruguloso-reticulate  main sculpture; long to very long propodeal spines , deviating from longitudinal axis of mesosoma by 20–25°; petiolar node in lateral view with a concave frontal profile meeting truncate dorsum in a right angle to an obtuse angle (110–120°) with a narrowly rounded transition, without a conspicuous sharp fronto-dorsal ridge on the petiolar node.Workers of the Temnothorax laconicus Csősz & al., 2014 and T. lichtensteini Bondroit, 1918) within this complex  GREECE.Holotype worker: Taygetos Oros, Street to Profitis Ilias „no. GRE:S_342”, 36.968 N, 22.404 E, 800 mH, 01.05.2011, leg. A. Schulz (HNHM), [GRE:Profitis-Ilias-20110501-342];Paratype workers: Taygetos Oros, Street to Profitis Ilias „no. GRE:S_342”, 36.968 N, 22.404 E, 800 mH, 01.05.2011, leg. A. Schulz , [GRE:Profitis-Ilias-20110501-342]; W Taygetos Oros, Pigadia Canyon „no. GRE:S_358”, 36.984 N, 22.262 E, 700–800 mH, 01.05.2011, leg. A. Schulz (2## HNHM), [GRE:Pigadia-Canyon-20110501-358]; W Taygetos Oros, Pigadia Canyon „no. GRE:2011:0356” 36.984 N, 22.262 E, 700–800 mH, 01.05.2011, leg. A. Schulz (3## HNHM), [GRE:Pigadia-Canyon-20110501-356]; Taygetos Oros, Street to Profitis Ilias „no. GRE:2011:0336”, 36.968 N, 22.404 E, 800 mH, 01.05.2011, leg. A. Schulz , [GRE:Profitis-Ilias-20110501-336]; Taygetos Oros, Street to Profitis Ilias „no. GRE:2011:0345” 36.968 N, 22.404 E, 800 mH, 01.05.2011, leg. A. Schulz , [GRE:Profitis-Ilias-20110501-345];The list of 41 non-type individuals belonging to 10 nest samples of other material investigated is given in Body color: brown. Body color pattern: mesosoma, antenna and legs, waist and anterior region of 1st gastral tergite lighter than head and posterior region of gaster. Antenna color pattern: clava concolorous funicle. Absolute cephalic size: 500–590 μm . Cephalic length vs. Maximum width of head capsule (CL/CWb): 1.199–1.258 (mean = 1.228). Postocular distance vs. cephalic length (PoOc/CL): 0.383–0.403 (mean = 0.396). Postocular sides of cranium contour frontal view orientation: converging posteriorly. Postocular sides of cranium contour frontal view shape: strongly convex. Vertex contour line in frontal view shape: straight. Vertex sculpture: main sculpture homogenously forked costate, ground sculpture areolate; main sculpture absent, ground sculpture areolate. Genae contour from anterior view orientation: converging. Gena contour line in frontal view shape: feebly convex. Gena sculpture: rugoso-reticulate with areolate ground sculpture. Median region of antennal rim vs. frontal carina in frontal view structure: not fully overlapped by frontal carina. Concentric carinae laterally surrounding antennal foramen count: present. Eye length vs. absolute cephalic size (EL/CS): 0.229–0.265 (mean = 0.244). Frontal carina distance vs. absolute cephalic size (FRS/CS): 0.329–0.360 (mean = 0.342). Longitudinal carinae on median region of frons count: present. Longitudinal carinae on medial region of frons shape: forked. Smooth median region on frons count: absent. Antennomere count: 12. Scape length vs. absolute cephalic size (SL/CS): 0.766–0.804 (mean = 0.785). Facial area of the scape absolute setal angle: 0–15°. External area of the scape absolute setal angle: 30°; 35–45°. Ground sculpture of submedian area of clypeus: smooth. Median carina of clypeus count: present. Lateral carinae of clypeus count: present. Median anatomical line of propodeal spine angle value to Weber length in lateral view: 20–25°. Spine length vs. absolute cephalic size (SPST/CS): 0.391–0.429 (mean = 0.411). Minimum spine distance vs. absolute cephalic size (SPBA/CS): 0.257–0.311 (mean = 0.283). Maximum spine distance vs. absolute cephalic size (SPWI/CS): 0.401–0.485 (mean = 0.438). Apical spine distance vs. absolute cephalic size (SPTI/CS): 0.381–0.462 (mean = 0.413). Maximum mesosoma width vs. absolute cephalic size (MW/CS): 0.587–0.629 (mean = 0.610). Metanotal depression count: present. Metanotal depression shape: shallow. Dorsal region of mesosoma sculpture: rugulose with areolate ground sculpture. Lateral region of pronotum sculpture: areolate ground sculpture, main sculpture forked costate. Mesopleuron sculpture: areolate ground sculpture superimposed by dispersed rugulae. Metapleuron sculpture: areolate ground sculpture superimposed by dispersed rugulae. Frontal profile of petiolar node contour line in lateral view shape: concave. Dorsal profile of petiolar node contour line angle value to frontal profile of petiole contour line in lateral view: 110–120°. Anterodorsal rim of petiole count: absent medially. Dorsal region of petiole sculpture: ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture dispersed rugose; ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture absent. Dorso-caudal petiolar profile contour line in lateral view shape: straight; concave. Dorsal region of postpetiole sculpture: ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture dispersed rugose; ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture absent.Temnothorax laconicus can be distinguished easily from other species by its very long propodeal spines  and its low deviation (20–25°) from the mesosomal axis.T. lichtensteini. The simple ratio SPST/CS does not overlap between the two species at the level of nest sample means : -0.656 , T. laconicus sp.n. (n 64) +3.085 , This species is known to occur in the Peloponnese peninsula and Kerkira .Leptothorax lichtensteini Bondroit, 1918: 123 (w.q.m.) FRANCE.Temnothorax: Bolton, 2003: 271.Combination in Lectotype and paralectotypes: 4 workers labeled "Montpellier Jean Lichtenstein", "Leptoth. lichtensteini Type Bondr." and "Lectotype Leptothorax lichtensteini Bondroit, 1918 Top specimen det. A.Schulz & M.Verhaagh 1999"; IRSNB Bruxelles; lectotype with CS 546.6. 4 workers labeled "Menton de Dalmas" and "Leptoth. lichtensteini Type Bondr."; IRSNB Bruxelles. (4## IRSNB), [FRA:lichtensteini-type:montpellier];The list of 298 non-type individuals belonging to 84 nest samples of other material investigated is given in Body color: brown. Body color pattern: mesosoma, antenna and legs, waist and anterior region of 1st gastral tergite lighter than head and posterior region of gaster. Antenna color pattern: clava concolorous funicle. Absolute cephalic size: 474–585 μm . Cephalic length vs. Maximum width of head capsule (CL/CWb): 1.181–1.261 (mean = 1.225). Postocular distance vs. cephalic length (PoOc/CL): 0.386–0.418 (mean = 0.401). Postocular sides of cranium contour frontal view orientation: converging posteriorly. Postocular sides of cranium contour frontal view shape: strongly convex. Vertex contour line in frontal view shape: straight. Vertex sculpture: main sculpture homogenously forked costate, ground sculpture areolate; main sculpture absent, ground sculpture areolate. Genae contour from anterior view orientation: converging. Gena contour line in frontal view shape: feebly convex. Gena sculpture: rugoso-reticulate with areolate ground sculpture. Median region of antennal rim vs. frontal carina in frontal view structure: not fully overlapped by frontal carina. Concentric carinae laterally surrounding antennal foramen count: present. Eye length vs. absolute cephalic size (EL/CS): 0.232–0.270 (mean = 0.248). Frontal carina distance vs. absolute cephalic size (FRS/CS): 0.336–0.380 (mean = 0.356). Longitudinal carinae on median region of frons count: present. Longitudinal carinae on medial region of frons shape: forked. Smooth median region on frons count: absent. Antennomere count: 12. Scape length vs. absolute cephalic size (SL/CS): 0.763–0.809 (mean = 0.787). Facial area of the scape absolute setal angle: 0–15°. External area of the scape absolute setal angle: 35–45°; 30°. Ground sculpture of submedian area of clypeus: smooth. Median carina of clypeus count: present. Lateral carinae of clypeus count: present. Median anatomical line of propodeal spine angle value to Weber length in lateral view: 20–25°. Spine length vs. absolute cephalic size (SPST/CS): 0.324–0377 (mean = 0.346). Minimum spine distance vs. absolute cephalic size (SPBA/CS): 0.250–0.302 (mean = 0.272). Maximum spine distance vs. absolute cephalic size (SPWI/CS): 0.335–0.428 (mean = 0.391). Apical spine distance vs. absolute cephalic size (SPTI/CS): 0.318–0.411 (mean = 0.371). Maximum mesosoma width vs. absolute cephalic size (MW/CS): 0.570–0.631 (mean = 0.608). Metanotal depression count: present. Metanotal depression shape: shallow. Dorsal region of mesosoma sculpture: rugulose with areolate ground sculpture. Lateral region of pronotum sculpture: areolate ground sculpture, main sculpture forked costate. Mesopleuron sculpture: areolate ground sculpture superimposed by dispersed rugulae. Metapleuron sculpture: areolate ground sculpture superimposed by dispersed rugulae. Frontal profile of petiolar node contour line in lateral view shape: concave. Dorsal profile of petiolar node contour line angle value to frontal profile of petiole contour line in lateral view: 110–120°. Anterodorsal rim of petiole count: absent medially. Dorsal profile of petiolar node contour line in lateral view shape: concave. Dorsal region of petiole sculpture: ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture dispersed rugose; ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture absent. Dorso-caudal petiolar profile contour line in lateral view shape: straight; concave. Dorsal region of postpetiole sculpture: ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture dispersed rugose; ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture absent.Temnothorax lichtensteini complex (T. lichtensteini and T. laconicus) can be easily distinguished from other species treated in this revision by the very long propodeal spines and their low deviation (20–25°) from the mesosomal axis. Other species with long spines have more erect propodeal spines deviating from the mesosomal axis by >35°. How T. lichtensteini and T. laconicus can be separated is described under the latter (see above).Members of the Temnothorax lichtensteini is distributed throughout the Northern coast of the Mediterranean basin from Spain to Turkey  and “West Mediterranean cluster”  ;The list of 167 non-type individuals belonging to 56 nest samples of other material investigated is given in Body color: yellow; brown. Body color pattern: mesosoma, antenna and legs, waist and anterior region of 1st gastral tergite lighter than head dorsum and posterior region of gaster. Antenna color pattern: clava concolorous funicle. Absolute cephalic size: 539–719 μm . Cephalic length vs. Maximum width of head capsule (CL/CWb): 1.121–1.196 (mean = 1.155). Postocular distance vs. cephalic length (PoOc/CL): 0.378–0.405 (mean = 0.374). Postocular sides of cranium contour frontal view orientation: converging posteriorly. Postocular sides of cranium contour frontal view shape: strongly convex. Vertex contour line in frontal view shape: straight. Vertex sculpture: main sculpture dispersed forked costate sculpture, ground sculpture areolate; main sculpture parallel costate, ground sculpture areolate. Genae contour from anterior view orientation: converging. Gena contour line in frontal view shape: feebly convex; convex. Gena sculpture: rugoso-reticulate with areolate ground sculpture. Median region of antennal rim vs. frontal carina in frontal view structure: not fully overlapped by frontal carina. Concentric carinae laterally surrounding antennal foramen count: present. Eye length vs. absolute cephalic size (EL/CS): 0.236–0.280 (mean = 0.255). Frontal carina distance vs. absolute cephalic size (FRS/CS): 0.359–0.397 (mean = 0.374). Longitudinal carinae on median region of frons count: present. Longitudinal carinae on medial region of frons shape: not forked. Smooth median region on frons count: absent. Antennomere count: 12. Scape length vs. absolute cephalic size (SL/CS): 0.763–0.836 (mean = 0.791). Facial area of the scape absolute setal angle: 0–15°. External area of the scape absolute setal angle: 30°. Ground sculpture of submedian area of clypeus: smooth. Median carina of clypeus count: present. Lateral carinae of clypeus count: present. Median anatomical line of propodeal spine angle value to Weber length in lateral view: 32–35°. Spine length vs. absolute cephalic size (SPST/CS): 0.253–0.322 (mean = 0.289). Minimum spine distance vs. absolute cephalic size (SPBA/CS): 0.279–0.321 (mean = 0.298). Maximum spine distance vs. absolute cephalic size (SPWI/CS): 0.311–0.392 (mean = 0.350). Apical spine distance vs. absolute cephalic size (SPTI/CS): 0.300–0.369 (mean = 0.331). Maximum mesosoma width vs. absolute cephalic size (MW/CS): 0.612–0.662 (MEAN = 0.631). Metanotal depression count: present. Metanotal depression shape: shallow. Dorsal region of mesosoma sculpture: rugulose with areolate ground sculpture. Lateral region of pronotum sculpture: areolate ground sculpture, main sculpture forked costate. Mesopleuron sculpture: areolate ground sculpture superimposed by dispersed rugulae. Metapleuron sculpture: areolate ground sculpture superimposed by dispersed rugulae. Frontal profile of petiolar node contour line in lateral view shape: concave. Dorsal profile of petiolar node contour line angle value to frontal profile of petiole contour line in lateral view: 88–104°. Anterodorsal rim of petiole count: absent medially. Dorsal profile of petiolar node contour line in lateral view shape: slightly convex. Dorsal region of petiole sculpture: ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture dispersed rugose; ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture absent. Dorso-caudal petiolar profile contour line in lateral view shape: straight; concave. Dorsal region of postpetiole sculpture: ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture dispersed rugose; ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture absent.T. crassispinus. The D4 function that separates these two species is given under the latter.This species is easily confused with its parapatric relative, Temnothorax crasecundus shares most of its surface sculpturing and general shape characteristics with T. helenae sp. n., despite the fact that they belong to different species complexes based on molecular phylogeny and morphometrics. In addition, the distribution of these species broadly overlaps in Bulgaria, Greece, and Turkey. A simple ratio (PoOC/NOH) yields a rather reliable discrimination with minor overlap between them (T. crasecundus is larger (CS), has a wider frons (FRS/CS), higher petiolar node (NOH/CS), and longer propodeal spines (SPST/SC) than T. helenae sp. n.  UKRAINE.Temnothorax: Bolton, 2003: 271.Combination in Temnothorax slavonicus: Radchenko, 2000: 44.Senior synonym of Leptothorax nylanderi var. crassispina Karavajev, 1926:Syntype workers of  Golossev near Kiev, Leg. Karawajew, "No. 3057 Col. Karawajew"  [UKR:Golossev-crassispinus-TYPE];Leptothorax nylanderi slavonicus Seifert, 1995:Paratype workers of  Germany, Kr. Görlitz, Hutberg Schönau-Berzdorf, 19.03.1993. Seifert (4## SMNG) [GER:Hutberg-slavonicus-TYPE];The list of 119 non-type individuals belonging to 40 nest samples of other material investigated is given in Body color: brown; yellow. Body color pattern: mesosoma, antenna and legs, waist and anterior region of 1st gastral tergite lighter than head and posterior region of gaster. Antenna color pattern: clava concolorous funicle. Absolute cephalic size: 544–688 μm . Cephalic length vs. Maximum width of head capsule (CL/CWb): 1.100–1.180 (mean = 1.140). Postocular distance vs. cephalic length (PoOc/CL): 0.379–0.403 (mean = 0.390). Postocular sides of cranium contour frontal view orientation: converging posteriorly. Postocular sides of cranium contour frontal view shape: strongly convex. Vertex contour line in frontal view shape: straight. Vertex sculpture: main sculpture parallel costate, ground sculpture areolate. Genae contour from anterior view orientation: converging. Gena contour line in frontal view shape: convex. Gena sculpture: rugoso-reticulate with areolate ground sculpture. Median region of antennal rim vs. frontal carina in frontal view structure: not fully overlapped by frontal carina. Concentric carinae laterally surrounding antennal foramen count: present. Eye length vs. absolute cephalic size (EL/CS): 0.247–0.268 (mean = 0.256). Frontal carina distance vs. absolute cephalic size (FRS/CS): 0.362–0.399 (mean = 0.377). Longitudinal carinae on median region of frons count: present. Longitudinal carinae on medial region of frons shape: not forked. Smooth median region on frons count: absent. Antennomere count: 12. Scape length vs. absolute cephalic size (SL/CS): 0.756–0.811 (mean = 0.784). Facial area of the scape absolute setal angle: 0–15°. External area of the scape absolute setal angle: 30°. Ground sculpture of submedian area of clypeus: smooth. Median carina of clypeus count: present. Lateral carinae of clypeus count: present. Median anatomical line of propodeal spine angle value to Weber length in lateral view: 32–42°. Spine length vs. absolute cephalic size (SPST/CS): 0.288–0.356 (mean = 0.329). Minimum spine distance vs. absolute cephalic size (SPBA/CS): 0.282–0.339 (mean = 0.312). Maximum spine distance vs. absolute cephalic size (SPWI/CS): 0.362–0.421 (mean = 0.389). Apical spine distance vs. absolute cephalic size (SPTI/CS): 0.342–0.397 (mean = 0.366). Maximum mesosoma width vs. absolute cephalic size (MW/CS): 0.509–0.662 (mean = 0.626). Metanotal depression count: present. Metanotal depression shape: shallow. Dorsal region of mesosoma sculpture: rugulose with areolate ground sculpture. Lateral region of pronotum sculpture: areolate ground sculpture, main sculpture forked costate. Mesopleuron sculpture: areolate ground sculpture superimposed by dispersed rugulae. Metapleuron sculpture: areolate ground sculpture superimposed by dispersed rugulae. Frontal profile of petiolar node contour line in lateral view shape: concave. Dorsal profile of petiolar node contour line angle value to frontal profile of petiole contour line in lateral view: 100–115°. Anterodorsal rim of petiole count: absent medially. Dorsal profile of petiolar node contour line in lateral view shape: slightly convex. Dorsal region of petiole sculpture: ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture dispersed rugose; ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture absent. Dorso-caudal petiolar profile contour line in lateral view shape: straight; concave. Dorsal region of postpetiole sculpture: ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture dispersed rugose; ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture absent.Temnothorax crassispinus may be confused with other long-spined species treated in this revision: T. angulinodis sp.n., T. laconicus, T. lichtensteini and T. parvulus. Temnothorax angulinodis sp.n. clearly differs from T. crassispinus by its sharply angulate petiolar node in lateral view (72–82°). In T. crassispinus, the frontal profile and the truncate dorsum of the petiole meet in an obtuse angle (100–115°). The deviation of the propodeal spines from longitudinal mesosomal axis  helps to separate T. crassispinus (32–42°) from T. laconicus and T. lichtensteini (20–25°). Temnothorax parvulus differs from T. crassispinus in the surface sculpturing on the head dorsum. If the samples are dust-covered, other measures can also help: T. crassispinus is considerably larger (CS), has a higher petiolar node (SPST/CS), and a wider head (CL/CWb) than T. parvulus  helps to separate nest samples of T. crassispinus from those of T. nylanderi without error, but the same character overlaps between nest sample means of T. crassispinus and T. crasecundus. The shortest discriminant formula (D4) that separates T. crassispinus from T. crasecundus with a classification success rate 95% in single individuals and 97% in nest sample means is D4 = +0.0392*SL -0.0746*SPST +0.0933*SPL -0.0295*SPWI -7.2179.D4 scores for single individuals:T. crassispinus (n 139) = -1.458 , T. crasecundus (n 161) = +1.458 , D4 scores for nest sample means:T. crassispinus (n 45) = -1.440 , T. crasecundus (n 54) = +1.479 , Temnothorax crassispinus lays between the ranges of its two parapatric relatives, T. nylanderi in the West and T. crasecundus in the East.This species is distributed from the Balkans to Central Europe . The disMyrmica nylanderi Foerster, 1850: 53 (m.) GERMANY.Temnothorax: Bolton, 2003: 271.Combination in Leptothorax nylanderi Foerster, 1852Type material of  is not available and most probably lost. Altogether 6 workers belonging to two nest series from the type locality „Aachen” were investigated: Germany, vic. Aachen-Brand, 5km SE Aachen, 50.7506 N, 6.1202 E, 200 mH, 21.06.1999. leg. A. Schulz, , [GER:Aachen-5SE-19990621-1]; and , [GER:Aachen-5SE-19990621-2] with the same label data;The list of 60 non-type individuals belonging to 20 nest samples of other material investigated is given in Body color: brown; yellow. Body color pattern: mesosoma, antenna and legs, waist and anterior region of 1st gastral tergite lighter than head dorsum and posterior region of gaster. Antenna color pattern: clava concolorous funicle. Absolute cephalic size: 587–678 μm . Cephalic length vs. Maximum width of head capsule (CL/CWb): 1.121–1.160 (mean = 1.140). Postocular distance vs. cephalic length (PoOc/CL): 0.379–0.402 (mean = 0.391). Postocular sides of cranium contour frontal view orientation: converging posteriorly. Postocular sides of cranium contour frontal view shape: strongly convex. Vertex contour line in frontal view shape: straight. Vertex sculpture: main sculpture parallel costate, ground sculpture areolate; main sculpture absent, ground sculpture areolate. Genae contour from anterior view orientation: converging. Gena contour line in frontal view shape: convex. Gena sculpture: rugoso-reticulate with areolate ground sculpture. Median region of antennal rim vs. frontal carina in frontal view structure: not fully overlapped by frontal carina. Concentric carinae laterally surrounding antennal foramen count: present. Eye length vs. absolute cephalic size (EL/CS): 0.245–0.268 (mean = 0.254). Frontal carina distance vs. absolute cephalic size (FRS/CS): 0.354–0.383 (mean = 0.373). Longitudinal carinae on median region of frons count: present. Longitudinal carinae on medial region of frons shape: not forked. Smooth median region on frons count: absent. Antennomere count: 12. Scape length vs. absolute cephalic size (SL/CS): 0.757–0.798 (mean = 0.777). Facial area of the scape absolute setal angle: 0–15°. External area of the scape absolute setal angle: 30°. Ground sculpture of submedian area of clypeus: smooth. Median carina of clypeus count: present. Lateral carinae of clypeus count: present. Median anatomical line of propodeal spine angle value to Weber length in lateral view: 35–42°. Spine length vs. absolute cephalic size (SPST/CS): 0.265–0.297 (mean = 0.280). Minimum spine distance vs. absolute cephalic size (SPBA/CS): 0.263–0.294 (mean = 0.280). Maximum spine distance vs. absolute cephalic size (SPWI/CS): 0.321–0.362 (mean = 0.343). Apical spine distance vs. absolute cephalic size (SPTI/CS): 0.298–0.339 (mean = 0.320). Maximum mesosoma width vs. absolute cephalic size (MW/CS): 0.610–0.646 (mean = 0.624). Metanotal depression count: present. Metanotal depression shape: shallow. Dorsal region of mesosoma sculpture: rugulose with areolate ground sculpture. Lateral region of pronotum sculpture: areolate ground sculpture, main sculpture forked costate. Mesopleuron sculpture: areolate ground sculpture superimposed by dispersed rugulae. Metapleuron sculpture: areolate ground sculpture superimposed by dispersed rugulae. Frontal profile of petiolar node contour line in lateral view shape: concave. Dorsal profile of petiolar node contour line angle value to frontal profile of petiole contour line in lateral view: 100–115°. Anterodorsal rim of petiole count: absent medially. Dorsal profile of petiolar node contour line in lateral view shape: slightly convex. Dorsal region of petiole sculpture: ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture dispersed rugose; ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture absent. Dorso-caudal petiolar profile contour line in lateral view shape: straight; concave. Dorsal region of postpetiole sculpture: ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture dispersed rugose; ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture absent.Temnothorax nylanderi has moderately long spines (SPST/CS) and therefore cannot be confused with long-spined T. lichtensteini. Non-overlapping SPBA/CS ratios help to distinguish it from T. flavicornis  reliably separate these species on the level of nest sample means , sculpture of head dorsum dull: with uniformly areolate ground sculpture combined with inconspicuous (or the lack of) main sculpture; short to long propodeal spines , deviating from longitudinal axis of mesosoma by 38–42°; petiolar node in lateral view with a concave frontal profile meeting truncate dorsum in a right angle to an obtuse angle (100–110°) with a narrowly rounded transition, without a conspicuous sharp fronto-dorsal ridge on the petiolar node.Workers of the Temnothorax ariadnae sp. n., T. helenae sp. n., and T. parvulus , which was corroborated by confirmatory analyses , [GRE:Crete-Ano-Vianos-5N-20110417-024];Paratypes: GER:024 Greece, Crete, 5 km N Ano Vianos, Vic. Katofigi, 35.0922 N, 25.4165 E, 60 mH, 17.04.2011, leg. A. Schulz, , [GRE:Crete-Ano-Vianos-5N-20110417-024]; GRE:092 Greece, Crete, 3 km E Ag. Vasilios, 25 km S Rethimnon, 35.2408 N, 24.4652 E, 300mH, 24.04.2011, leg. A. Schulz, (5## HNHM), [GRE:Crete-Ag-Vasilios-3E-20110424-092]; GRE:093 Greece, Crete, 3 km E Ag. Vasilios, 25 km S Rethimnon, 35.2408 N, 24.4652 E, 300mH, 24.04.2011, leg. A. Schulz, , [GRE:Crete-Ag-Vasilios-3E-20110424-093]; GRE:037 Greece, Crete, Lassithi Plateau, 16 km S Malia, 35.1623 N, 25.4560 E, 1000mH, 18.04.2011, leg.A. Schulz, , [GRE:Crete-Malia16S-20110418-037];Locality data of the single non-type sample with 3 individuals investigated is given in Body color: brown; yellow. Body color pattern: mesosoma, antenna and legs, waist and anterior region of 1st gastral tergite lighter than head dorsum and posterior region of gaster. Antenna color pattern: clava concolorous funicle. Absolute cephalic size: 533–557 μm . Cephalic length vs. Maximum width of head capsule (CL/CWb): 1.196–1.293 (mean = 1.223). Postocular distance vs. cephalic length (PoOc/CL): 0.373–0.393 (mean = 0.386). Postocular sides of cranium contour frontal view orientation: converging posteriorly. Postocular sides of cranium contour frontal view shape: strongly convex. Vertex contour line in frontal view shape: straight. Vertex sculpture: main sculpture absent, ground sculpture areolate. Genae contour from anterior view orientation: converging. Gena contour line in frontal view shape: convex. Gena sculpture: rugoso-reticulate with areolate ground sculpture. Median region of antennal rim vs. frontal carina in frontal view structure: not fully overlapped by frontal carina. Concentric carinae laterally surrounding antennal foramen count: present. Eye length vs. absolute cephalic size (EL/CS): 0.260–0.266 (mean = 0.263). Frontal carina distance vs. absolute cephalic size (FRS/CS): 0.346–0.369 (mean = 0.356). Longitudinal carinae on median region of frons count: absent. Smooth median region on frons count: absent. Antennomere count: 12. Scape length vs. absolute cephalic size (SL/CS): 0.758–0.795 (mean = 0.775). Facial area of the scape absolute setal angle: 0–15°. External area of the scape absolute setal angle: 30°; 35–45°. Ground sculpture of submedian area of clypeus: smooth. Median carina of clypeus count: present. Lateral carinae of clypeus count: present. Median anatomical line of propodeal spine angle value to Weber length in lateral view: 45–50°. Spine length vs. absolute cephalic size (SPST/CS): 0.220–0.249 (mean = 0.237). Minimum spine distance vs. absolute cephalic size (SPBA/CS): 0.248–0.287 (mean = 0.278). Maximum spine distance vs. absolute cephalic size (SPWI/CS): 0.303–0.336 (mean = 0.314). Apical spine distance vs. absolute cephalic size (SPTI/CS): 0.289–0.322 (mean = 0.300). Maximum mesosoma width vs. absolute cephalic size (MW/CS): 0.602–0.618 (mean = 0.611). Metanotal depression count: present. Metanotal depression shape: shallow. Dorsal region of mesosoma sculpture: rugulose with areolate ground sculpture. Lateral region of pronotum sculpture: areolate ground sculpture, main sculpture forked costate. Mesopleuron sculpture: areolate ground sculpture superimposed by dispersed rugulae. Metapleuron sculpture: areolate ground sculpture superimposed by dispersed rugulae. Frontal profile of petiolar node contour line in lateral view shape: concave. Anterodorsal rim of petiole count: absent medially. Dorsal profile of petiolar node contour line in lateral view shape: strongly convex. Dorsal region of petiole sculpture: ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture dispersed rugose; ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture absent. Dorso-caudal petiolar profile contour line in lateral view shape: straight; concave. Dorsal region of postpetiole sculpture: ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture dispersed rugose; ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture absent.T. helenae sp. n. and T. parvulus. Values of the propodeal spine length ratio (SPST/CL) for nest sample means perfectly separate T. parvulus  and T. ariadnae sp. n. . The geographical range of T. ariadnae sp. n. and T. parvulus  function is the shortest formula that yields reliable separation for single individuals (99.4%) and nest sample means (100%) of T. ariadnae sp. n. and T. helenae sp. n.The separation of D4 scores for single individuals:T. ariadnae sp. n. (n 15) = +1.607 , T. helenae sp. n. (n 169) = -1.607 , D4 scores for nest sample means:T. ariadnae sp.n. (n 5) = +1.607 T. helenae sp.n. (n 53) = -1.678 Temnothorax ariadnae sp. n. can be easily separated from two additional species whose distributional range expands to Crete, T. lucidus sp. n. and T. subtilis sp. n., based on the shiny surface of the head dorsum of the two latter. In exceptional cases, or if dust cover obstructs a clear view of the surface sculpture, body ratios help to distinguish T. ariadnae sp. n. from T. subtilis sp. n. by the longer head (CL/CWb), the larger eyes (EL) and the longer propodeal spines (SPST/CS) and from T. lucidus sp. n. by the non-overlapping NodL/CS, lower NOL/CS ratio and the longer head , [GRE:Taigetos-Oros-20110501-344];Paratypes: GRE:344 Greece, Peloponnesus, Taygetos Oros, Street to Profitis Elias, 36.968 N, 22.404 E, 800mH, 01.05.2011, leg. A. Schulz, (6## HNHM), [GRE:Taigetos-Oros-20110501-344]; GRE:267 Greece, Peloponnesus, Taygetos Oros, Trail to Profitis Elias, 36.960 N, 22.396 E, 1000-1200mH, 30.04.2011, leg. A. Schulz, , [GRE:Taigetos-Oros-20110430-267]; GRE:280 Greece, Peloponnesus, Taygetos Oros, Trail to Profitis Elias, 36.960 N, 22.396 E, 1000-1200mH, 30.04.2011, leg. A. Schulz, (5## HNHM), [GRE:Taigetos-Oros-20110430-280]; GRE:287 Greece, Peloponnesus, Taygetos Oros, Trail to Profitis Elias, 36.948 N, 22.377 E, 1400-1600mH, 30.04.2011, leg. A. Schulz, , [GRE:Taigetos-Oros-20110430-287]; GRE:348 Greece, Peloponnesus, Taygetos Oros, Street to Profitis Elias, 36.968 N, 22.404 E, 800mH, 01.05.2011, leg. A. Schulz, , [GRE:Taigetos-Oros-20110501-348]; GRE:350 Greece, Peloponnesus, Taygetos Oros, Street to Profitis Elias, 36.968 N, 22.404 E, 800mH, 01.05.2011, leg. A. Schulz, (5## HNHM), [GRE:Taigetos-Oros-20110501-350];The list of 154 individuals belonging to 43 nest samples of other material investigated is given in Body color: brown; yellow. Body color pattern: mesosoma, antenna and legs, waist and anterior region of 1st gastral tergite lighter than head dorsum and posterior region of gaster. Antenna color pattern: clava concolorous funicle. Absolute cephalic size: 510–627 μm . Cephalic length vs. Maximum width of head capsule (CL/CWb): 1.152–1.242 (mean = 1.197). Postocular distance vs. cephalic length (PoOc/CL): 0.384–0.424 (mean = 0.400). Postocular sides of cranium contour frontal view orientation: converging posteriorly. Postocular sides of cranium contour frontal view shape: feebly convex. Vertex contour line in frontal view shape: straight. Vertex sculpture: main sculpture absent, ground sculpture areolate; main sculpture dispersed forked costate sculpture, ground sculpture areolate. Genae contour from anterior view orientation: converging. Gena contour line in frontal view shape: feebly convex. Gena sculpture: rugoso-reticulate with areolate ground sculpture. Median region of antennal rim vs. frontal carina in frontal view structure: not fully overlapped by frontal carina. Concentric carinae laterally surrounding antennal foramen count: present. Eye length vs. absolute cephalic size (EL/CS): 0.238–0.270 (mean = 0.251). Frontal carina distance vs. absolute cephalic size (FRS/CS): 0.335–0.373 (mean = 0.357). Longitudinal carinae on median region of frons count: absent; present. Longitudinal carinae on medial region of frons shape: forked. Smooth median region on frons count: present; absent. Antennomere count: 12. Scape length vs. absolute cephalic size (SL/CS): 0.758–0.808 (mean = 0.783). Facial area of the scape absolute setal angle: 0–15°. External area of the scape absolute setal angle: 30°. Ground sculpture of submedian area of clypeus: smooth. Median carina of clypeus count: present. Lateral carinae of clypeus count: present. Median anatomical line of propodeal spine angle value to Weber length in lateral view: 45–50°. Spine length vs. absolute cephalic size (SPST/CS): 0.205–0.299 (mean = 0.255). Minimum spine distance vs. absolute cephalic size (SPBA/CS): 0.255–0.319 (mean = 0.281). Maximum spine distance vs. absolute cephalic size (SPWI/CS): 0.290–0.387 (mean = 0.334). Apical spine distance vs. absolute cephalic size (SPTI/CS): 0.277–0.370 (mean = 0.320). Maximum mesosoma width vs. absolute cephalic size (MW/CS): 0.580–0.634 (mean = 0.611). Metanotal depression count: present. Metanotal depression shape: shallow. Dorsal region of mesosoma sculpture: rugulose with areolate ground sculpture. Lateral region of pronotum sculpture: areolate ground sculpture, main sculpture forked costate. Mesopleuron sculpture: areolate ground sculpture superimposed by dispersed rugulae. Metapleuron sculpture: areolate ground sculpture superimposed by dispersed rugulae. Frontal profile of petiolar node contour line in lateral view shape: concave. Dorsal profile of petiolar node contour line angle value to frontal profile of petiole contour line in lateral view: 100–110°. Anterodorsal rim of petiole count: absent medially. Dorsal profile of petiolar node contour line in lateral view shape: slightly convex to conspicuously rounded. Dorsal region of petiole sculpture: ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture dispersed rugose; ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture absent. Dorso-caudal petiolar profile contour line in lateral view shape: straight; concave. Dorsal region of postpetiole sculpture: ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture dispersed rugose; ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture absent.Temnothorax helenae sp. n. shares characters with T. ariadnae sp. n. and T. parvulus, differential diagnoses between these species are given under these taxa.T. helenae sp. n. from T. crasecundus can be difficult if only sculpture and shape characteristics are considered, but a single ratio (PoOC/NOH) yields >95% classification success for nest sample means  function yields 97% classification success for individuals and 100% for nest sample means.The geographical distribution of D5 scores for nest sample means:T. helenae sp. n. (n = 53) = -2.209 T. lucidus sp. n. (n = 23) = +1.410 T. subtilis sp. n. (n = 55) = +1.579 This species mostly occurs in Greek mainland, but a few localities are also known in Southern Bulgaria, Western Turkey and Crete .Myrmica parvula Schenck, 1852: 103 (w.) GERMANY. PalearcticTemnothorax: Bolton, 2003: 271.Combination in Lectotype: "L. parvulus # Sch" and "Lectotype Leptothorax parvulus Schenck, 1852 det. A. Schulz & M. Verhaagh 1999" (1# / SMF), [GER:parvulus-TYPE];The list of 103 individuals belonging to 27 nest samples of other material investigated is given in Body color: brown; yellow. Body color pattern: mesosoma, antenna and legs, waist and anterior region of 1st gastral tergite lighter than head dorsum and posterior region of gaster. Antenna color pattern: clava concolorous funicle. Absolute cephalic size: 488–586 μm . Cephalic length vs. Maximum width of head capsule (CL/CWb): 1.147–1.214 (mean = 1.184). Postocular distance vs. cephalic length (PoOc/CL): 0.392–0.413 (mean = 0.405). Postocular sides of cranium contour frontal view orientation: converging posteriorly. Postocular sides of cranium contour frontal view shape: strongly convex. Vertex contour line in frontal view shape: straight. Vertex sculpture: main sculpture absent, ground sculpture areolate; main sculpture dispersed forked costate sculpture, ground sculpture areolate. Genae contour from anterior view orientation: converging. Gena contour line in frontal view shape: convex. Gena sculpture: rugoso-reticulate with areolate ground sculpture. Median region of antennal rim vs. frontal carina in frontal view structure: not fully overlapped by frontal carina. Concentric carinae laterally surrounding antennal foramen count: present. Eye length vs. absolute cephalic size (EL/CS): 0.237–0.262 (mean = 0.250). Frontal carina distance vs. absolute cephalic size (FRS/CS): 0.353–0.376 (mean = 0.361). Longitudinal carinae on median region of frons count: absent. Smooth median region on frons count: present. Antennomere count: 12. Scape length vs. absolute cephalic size (SL/CS): 0.763–0.796 (mean = 0.778). Facial area of the scape absolute setal angle: 0–15°. External area of the scape absolute setal angle: 30°. Ground sculpture of submedian area of clypeus: smooth. Median carina of clypeus count: present. Lateral carinae of clypeus count: present. Median anatomical line of propodeal spine angle value to Weber length in lateral view: 38–42°. Spine length vs. absolute cephalic size (SPST/CS): 0.278–0.331 (mean = 0.306). Minimum spine distance vs. absolute cephalic size (SPBA/CS): 0.273–0.312 (mean = 0.292). Maximum spine distance vs. absolute cephalic size (SPWI/CS): 0.353–0.415 (mean = 0.384). Apical spine distance vs. absolute cephalic size (SPTI/CS): 0.332–0.395 (mean = 0.364). Maximum mesosoma width vs. absolute cephalic size (MW/CS): 0.599–0.636 (mean = 0.618). Metanotal depression count: present. Metanotal depression shape: shallow. Dorsal region of mesosoma sculpture: rugulose with areolate ground sculpture. Lateral region of pronotum sculpture: areolate ground sculpture, main sculpture forked costate. Mesopleuron sculpture: areolate ground sculpture superimposed by dispersed rugulae. Metapleuron sculpture: areolate ground sculpture superimposed by dispersed rugulae. Frontal profile of petiolar node contour line in lateral view shape: concave. Dorsal profile of petiolar node contour line angle value to frontal profile of petiole contour line in lateral view: 105–110°. Anterodorsal rim of petiole count: absent medially. Dorsal profile of petiolar node contour line in lateral view shape: slightly convex. Dorsal region of petiole sculpture: ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture dispersed rugose; ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture absent. Dorso-caudal petiolar profile contour line in lateral view shape: straight; concave. Dorsal region of postpetiole sculpture: ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture dispersed rugose; ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture absent.Temnothorax parvulus can be separated easily from members of other species-complexes by its homogenously areolate microsculpture on the head dorsum. The head sculpture of other species complexes may vary from smooth to coarsely rugulo-reticulate but is never homogenously areolate. In exceptional cases, long-spined species of the T. lichtensteini complex might exhibit a homogenous areolate sculpture on an extended area of the head dorsum, but T. parvulus is distinguished from T. lichtensteini and T. laconicus by its more erect propodeal spines (38–42° vs. ca. 20–25°). Temnothorax parvulus can also be safely separated from weakly sculptured, lightly colored T. tergestinus samples using slightly overlapping NOH/CS, SPTI/CS and SPWI/CS ratios  helps distinguish Temnothorax parvulus from T. ariadnae sp. n. and T. helenae sp. n.T. parvulus ; and T. ariadnae sp. n.  provide a prefect means of separation. As 5% of nest samples of T. parvulus and T. helenae sp. n.  formula, which separates 97.1% of single individuals and all nest samples of T. parvulus and T. helenae sp. n.Non-overlapping values of SPST/CL for nest sample means of D5 scores for single individuals:T. parvulus (n 107) = -1.624 T. helenae sp.n. (n 169) = +1.647 D5 scores for nest sample means:T. parvulus (n 29) = -1.723 T. helenae sp.n. (n 53) = +1.684 The known distribution of this species ranges from Western Europe to the Black see coast and Turkey and from Italy and the Balkans to Central Europe .Temnothorax sordidulus species-complex can be distinguished from those of other complexes treated in this revision by the combination of the following salient features: brown to black color; slightly longer than broad head ], sculpture of head dorsum dull: with areolate ground sculpture combined with conspicuous parallel costulate or irregular reticulate main sculpture; moderately long to long propodeal spines , deviating from longitudinal axis of mesosoma by 40–50°; petiolar node in lateral view with a concave frontal profile meeting occasionally indistinct truncate dorsum in an obtuse angle (110–120°) with a narrowly rounded transition, without a conspicuous sharp fronto-dorsal ridge on the petiolar node. Four species consist of this complex: Temnothorax artvinensis Seifert, 2006, T. schoedli Seifert, 2006, T. sordidulus  and T. tergestinus  stat.n.Workers of the Temnothorax angustifrons sp. n., T. lucidus sp. n., T. similis sp. n., T. subtilis sp. n.) within this complex, which was confirmed by LDA  TURKEY.Paratypes: 9 paratype workers of 3 nest samples were investigated from the type locality: Turkey, Artvin, 5 km SW. Artvin, 41.1445 N, 41.8537 E, 1000 mH, 27.06.1993, leg. A. Schulz „no. 1162” (3## ASPC) [TUR:Artvin-5SW-19930627-1162]; „no. 1164” (3## ASPC) [TUR:Artvin-5SW-19930627-1164]; „no. 1165” (3## ASPC) [TUR:Artvin-5SW-19930627-1165];The list of 39 individuals belonging to 12 nest samples of other material investigated is given in Body color: brown; black. Body color pattern: head, mesosoma, waist and anterior region of 1st gastral tergite lighter than antenna and legs and posterior region of gaster. Antenna color pattern: clava concolorous funicle. Absolute cephalic size: 540–634 μm . Cephalic length vs. Maximum width of head capsule (CL/CWb): 1.206–1.263 (mean = 1.240). Postocular distance vs. cephalic length (PoOc/CL): 0.375–0.389 (0.384). Postocular sides of cranium contour frontal view orientation: parallel; converging posteriorly. Postocular sides of cranium contour frontal view shape: feebly convex. Vertex contour line in frontal view shape: straight. Vertex sculpture: main sculpture homogenously forked costate, ground sculpture areolate. Genae contour from anterior view orientation: converging. Gena contour line in frontal view shape: feebly convex. Gena sculpture: rugoso-reticulate with areolate ground sculpture. Median region of antennal rim vs. frontal carina in frontal view structure: not fully overlapped by frontal carina. Concentric carinae laterally surrounding antennal foramen count: present. Eye length vs. absolute cephalic size (EL/CS): 0.239–0.260 (mean = 0.247). Frontal carina distance vs. absolute cephalic size (FRS/CS): 0.357–0.375 (mean = 0.367). Longitudinal carinae on median region of frons count: present. Longitudinal carinae on medial region of frons shape: forked. Smooth median region on frons count: absent. Antennomere count: 12. Scape length vs. absolute cephalic size (SL/CS): 0.776–0.813 (mean = 0.794). Facial area of the scape absolute setal angle: 0–15°. External area of the scape absolute setal angle: 30°. Ground sculpture of submedian area of clypeus: carinate. Median carina of clypeus count: present. Lateral carinae of clypeus count: present. Median anatomical line of propodeal spine angle value to Weber length in lateral view: 42–48°. Spine length vs. absolute cephalic size (SPST/CS): 0.227–0.288 (mean = 0.265). Minimum spine distance vs. absolute cephalic size (SPBA/CS): 0.265–0.301 (mean = 0.278). Maximum spine distance vs. absolute cephalic size (SPWI/CS): 0.296–0.350 (mean = 0.331). Apical spine distance vs. absolute cephalic size (SPTI/CS): 0.280–0.337 (mean = 0.313). Maximum mesosoma width vs. absolute cephalic size (MW/CS): 0.598–0.626 (mean = 0.612). Metanotal depression count: present. Metanotal depression shape: deep. Dorsal region of mesosoma sculpture: rugulose with areolate ground sculpture. Lateral region of pronotum sculpture: areolate ground sculpture, main sculpture forked costate. Mesopleuron sculpture: areolate ground sculpture superimposed by dispersed rugulae. Metapleuron sculpture: areolate ground sculpture superimposed by dispersed rugulae. Frontal profile of petiolar node contour line in lateral view shape: concave. Dorsal profile of petiolar node contour line angle value to frontal profile of petiole contour line in lateral view: 110–120°. Anterodorsal rim of petiole count: absent medially. Dorsal profile of petiolar node contour line in lateral view shape: slightly convex. Dorsal region of petiole sculpture: ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture dispersed rugose; ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture absent. Dorso-caudal petiolar profile contour line in lateral view shape: concave; straight. Dorsal region of postpetiole sculpture: ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture dispersed rugose; ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture absent.T. artvinensis prevents confusion of this species with any other Turkish Temnothorax treated in this revision.The very dark color of T. artvinensis is geographically well isolated from other dark brown or black species of the T. sordidulus complex, it is unlikely that this this species is confused with its siblings. However, for doubtful cases, or if anthropochory is suspected, a discriminant function after character reduction (D4 = +0.114*EL -0.124*PEW +0.098*NOH -0.068*PPL +3.69209) separates 97.9% of T. artvinensis workers and each nest sample from that of Turkish T. schoedli and European brownish-black T. sordidulus and T. tergestinus.Due to the fact that D4 scores for nest sample means:T. artvinensis (n 15) = -1.620 T. schoedli (n 11) = +2.044 T. tergestinus (n 49) = +1.575 T. sordidulus (n 15) = +2.218 This species occurs in a restricted area of North-East Turkish high mountains .Temnothorax schoedli Seifert, 2006: 8 (w.q.) TURKEY.Paratypes: 20 paratype workers of 7 nest samples were investigated from the type locality: Turkey, Antakya, Nur Dağlari, 14 rkm W. Hassa 36.8414 N, 36.4309 E, 1600 mH, 11.05.1997, leg. A. Schulz, K. Vock, M. Sanetra: „no. 287” (2## SMNK) [TUR:Hassa-14W-19970511-287]; „no. 289” (3## SMNK) [TUR:Hassa-14W-19970511-289]; „no. 290” (3## SMNK) [TUR:Hassa-14W-19970511-290]; „no. 292” (3## ASPC) [TUR:Hassa-14W-19970511-292]; „no. 293” (3## ASPC) [TUR:Hassa-14W-19970511-293]; „no. 295” (3## ASPC) [TUR:Hassa-14W-19970511-295]; „no. 299” (3## ASPC) [TUR:Hassa-14W-19970511-299];The list of 12 non-type individuals belonging to 4 nest samples of other material investigated is given in Body color: brown. Body color pattern: mesosoma, antenna and legs excluding femora, waist and anterior region of 1st gastral tergite lighter than head, femora and posterior region of gaster. Antenna color pattern: clava concolorous funicle. Absolute cephalic size: 572–696 μm . Cephalic length vs. Maximum width of head capsule (CL/CWb): 1.143–1.196 (mean = 1.172). Postocular distance vs. cephalic length (PoOc/CL): 0.360–0.385 (mean = 0.368). Postocular sides of cranium contour frontal view orientation: converging posteriorly. Postocular sides of cranium contour frontal view shape: broadly convex. Vertex contour line in frontal view shape: straight. Vertex sculpture: main sculpture dispersed forked costate, ground sculpture inconspicuous areolate; main sculpture dispersed forked costate sculpture, ground sculpture areolate; main sculpture homogenously forked costate, ground sculpture areolate. Genae contour from anterior view orientation: converging. Gena contour line in frontal view shape: feebly convex. Gena sculpture: rugoso-reticulate with areolate ground sculpture. Median region of antennal rim vs. frontal carina in frontal view structure: not fully overlapped by frontal carina. Concentric carinae laterally surrounding antennal foramen count: present. Eye length vs. absolute cephalic size (EL/CS): 0.255–0.282 (mean = 0.268). Frontal carina distance vs. absolute cephalic size (FRS/CS): 0.363–0.379 (mean = 0.372). Longitudinal carinae on median region of frons count: present. Longitudinal carinae on medial region of frons shape: forked. Antennomere count: 12. Scape length vs. absolute cephalic size (SL/CS): 0.764–0.805 (mean = 0.784). Facial area of the scape absolute setal angle: 0–15°. External area of the scape absolute setal angle: 30°. Ground sculpture of submedian area of clypeus: smooth. Median carina of clypeus count: present. Lateral carinae of clypeus count: present. Median anatomical line of propodeal spine angle value to Weber length in lateral view: 40–45°. Spine length vs. absolute cephalic size (SPST/CS): 0.232–0.282 (mean = 0.261). Minimum spine distance vs. absolute cephalic size (SPBA/CS): 0.282–0.298 (mean = 0.288). Maximum spine distance vs. absolute cephalic size (SPWI/CS): 0.305–0.342 (mean = 0.327). Apical spine distance vs. absolute cephalic size (SPTI/CS): 0.293–0.328 (mean = 0.310). Maximum mesosoma width vs. absolute cephalic size (MW/CS): 0.613–0.650 (mean = 0.632). Metanotal depression count: present. Metanotal depression shape: shallow. Dorsal region of mesosoma sculpture: areolate ground sculpture, superimposed by dispersed rugae. Lateral region of pronotum sculpture: areolate ground sculpture, main sculpture dispersed costate. Mesopleuron sculpture: areolate ground sculpture superimposed by dispersed rugulae. Metapleuron sculpture: areolate ground sculpture superimposed by dispersed rugulae. Frontal profile of petiolar node contour line in lateral view shape: concave. Anterodorsal rim of petiole count: absent medially. Dorsal profile of petiolar node contour line in lateral view shape: widely rounded or slightly angulate area. Dorsal region of petiole sculpture: ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture dispersed rugose. Dorsal region of postpetiole sculpture: ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture dispersed rugose.T. sordidulus species-complex, Temnothorax schoedli has the lightest color. In addition to color it can be separated safely from other members of the complex by its very restricted geographical occurrence in the southern ranges of Taurus Mountains in Turkey. Temnothorax schoedli can be separated from T. artvinensis, which in geographical terms is the most closely situated relative of this species, by the coarse dull head sculpture and the very dark brown to black color of the latter and its significantly shorter head. The non-overlapping CL/CWb ratio ; from T. similis sp. n. by PEH/CS and NOH/CS ratios; from T. lucidus sp. n. by SPBA/CS; and from T. angustifrons sp. n. by the FRS/CS ratio.In its relatively lighter color and occasionally smooth head dorsum this species may superficially resemble species of g ratios : T. schoThis species occurs in a restricted area of South-Eastern Turkish lowlands .Leptothorax sordidulus Müller, 1923: 96 (w.) ITALY.Temnothorax: Bolton, 2003: 271.Combination in Temnothorax carinthiacus: Schulz, 1991: 121.Senior synonym of Leptothorax sordidulus Müller, 1923:Type material of  not investigated, most probably lost, see also Seifert (2006).Leptothorax carinthiacus Bernard, 1957:Lectotype and Paralectotype of  Carinthia Viktring Hölzler leg. [on reverse side: „V/55”], Lectotype Leptothorax carinthiacus Bernard 1957 desig. B. Seifert 2006 (2# LMK), [AUT:Viktring-carinthiacus-TYPE] (CASENT0913637);The list of 43 individuals belonging to 14 nest samples of other material investigated is given in Body color: brown; black. Body color pattern: head, mesosoma, waist and anterior region of 1st gastral tergite lighter than antenna and legs and posterior region of gaster. Antenna color pattern: clava concolorous funicle. Absolute cephalic size: 518–607μm . Cephalic length vs. Maximum width of head capsule (CL/CWb): 1.192–1.278 (mean = 1.238). Postocular distance vs. cephalic length (PoOc/CL): 0.363–0.390 (mean = 0.374). Postocular sides of cranium contour frontal view orientation: parallel; converging posteriorly. Postocular sides of cranium contour frontal view shape: feebly convex. Vertex contour line in frontal view shape: straight. Vertex sculpture: main sculpture homogenously forked costate, ground sculpture areolate. Genae contour from anterior view orientation: converging. Gena contour line in frontal view shape: feebly convex. Gena sculpture: rugoso-reticulate with areolate ground sculpture. Median region of antennal rim vs. frontal carina in frontal view structure: not fully overlapped by frontal carina. Concentric carinae laterally surrounding antennal foramen count: present. Eye length vs. absolute cephalic size (EL/CS): 0.258–0.280 (mean = 0.266). Frontal carina distance vs. absolute cephalic size (FRS/CS): 0.353–0.378 (mean = 0.366). Longitudinal carinae on median region of frons count: present. Longitudinal carinae on medial region of frons shape: forked. Smooth median region on frons count: absent. Antennomere count: 12. Scape length vs. absolute cephalic size (SL/CS): 0.763–0.809 (mean = 0.785). Facial area of the scape absolute setal angle: 0–15°. External area of the scape absolute setal angle: 30°. Ground sculpture of submedian area of clypeus: smooth; carinate. Median carina of clypeus count: present. Lateral carinae of clypeus count: present. Median anatomical line of propodeal spine angle value to Weber length in lateral view: 42–48°. Spine length vs. absolute cephalic size (SPST/CS): 0.227–0.281 (mean = 0.258). Minimum spine distance vs. absolute cephalic size (SPBA/CS): 0.257–0.291 (mean = 0.273). Maximum spine distance vs. absolute cephalic size (SPWI/CS): 0.280–0.331 (mean = 0.306). Apical spine distance vs. absolute cephalic size (SPTI/CS): 0.266–0.312 (mean = 0.288). Maximum mesosoma width vs. absolute cephalic size (MW/CS): 0.599–0.640 (mean = 0.615). Metanotal depression count: present. Metanotal depression shape: deep. Dorsal region of mesosoma sculpture: rugulose with areolate ground sculpture. Lateral region of pronotum sculpture: areolate ground sculpture, main sculpture forked costate. Mesopleuron sculpture: areolate ground sculpture superimposed by dispersed rugulae. Metapleuron sculpture: areolate ground sculpture superimposed by dispersed rugulae. Frontal profile of petiolar node contour line in lateral view shape: concave. Dorsal profile of petiolar node contour line angle value to frontal profile of petiole contour line in lateral view: 110–120°. Anterodorsal rim of petiole count: absent medially. Dorsal profile of petiolar node contour line in lateral view shape: slightly convex. Dorsal region of petiole sculpture: ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture dispersed rugose; ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture absent. Dorso-caudal petiolar profile contour line in lateral view shape: straight; concave. Dorsal region of postpetiole sculpture: ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture dispersed rugose; ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture absent.T. tergestinus. The other black species belonging to this complex, T. artvinensis is endemic to Turkey. Though T. sordidulus seems endemic to the Dinaran Alps, its distribution slightly overlaps with that of T. tergestinus in Slovenia and Austria. The darker, often black color of T. sordidulus in contrast to the brown color of Central European populations of T. tergestinus, its shorter spines (SPST/CS), shorter scapes (SL/CS), longer petioles (PL/CS) and petiolar nodes (NOL/CS) may help to separate T. sordidulus from Central European populations of T. tergestinus. If these ratios overlap and do not clearly separate between the two taxa, or if T. sordidulus shall be separated from Bulgarian or Greek populations of T. tergestinus, a discriminant function (D7 = +0.0323*SPTI -0.0594*NOL +0.0859*SL -0.0490*ML +0.0867*CWb -0.1167*EL -0.0414*CL -1.2164) yields 99% classification success rate in single individuals and 100% in nest sample means.Due to its dark brown to black color this species can only be confused with its European sibling, D7 scores for single individuals:T. sordidulus (n 47) = -1.872 , T. tergestinus (n 139) = +1.872 , D7 scores for nest sample means:T. sordidulus (n 16) = -1.885 T. tergestinus (n 49) = +1.868 T. sordidulus cannot be confused with any other species treated in this revision.In its restricted distributional area This species has a relatively restricted distributional area and is occurs in the Dinaran Alps of Austria, Croatia and Slovenia .Leptothorax sordidulus var. tergestina Finzi, 1928: 129 (w) ITALY.Temnothorax: Bolton, 2003: 271.Combination in Temnothorax saxonicus : [synonymy proposed hereby]Senior synonym of Leptothorax sordidulus var. tergestina Finzi, 1928:Syntype workers of  „S.Croze” Ven. Giulia [Trieste] B. Finzi „6.27”, FinziColl. purch 1950, M. C. Z. „co”type „28840”, „Syntypus Leptothorax sordidulus var tergestinus Finzi”, [on the reverse side: „SP Cover 98”], MCZ Museum of Comparative Zoology (4## MCZ), [ITA:Ven-Giulia-tergestinus-TYPE];Leptothorax sordidulus saxonixus Seifert, 1995:Nest sample of the holotype of  GER: 51.0895 N, 14.6927 E Löbauer Berg 415m Basaltklippen mit Quercus, B. Seifert 1983.07.28–473 aus Holotypus-Nest (3## HNHM), [GER:Lobauer-Berg-saxonicus-TYPE];The list of 132 non-type individuals belonging to 46 nest samples of other material investigated is given in Body color: brown. Body color pattern: head, mesosoma, waist and anterior region of 1st gastral tergite lighter antenna and legs except femora lighter than femora and posterior region of gaster. Antenna color pattern: clava concolorous funicle. Absolute cephalic size: 523–665 μm . Cephalic length vs. Maximum width of head capsule (CL/CWb): 1.169–1.253 (mean = 1.206). Postocular distance vs. cephalic length (PoOc/CL): 0.373–0.400 (mean = 0.384). Postocular sides of cranium contour frontal view orientation: parallel; converging posteriorly. Postocular sides of cranium contour frontal view shape: broadly convex. Vertex contour line in frontal view shape: straight. Vertex sculpture: main sculpture homogenously forked costate, ground sculpture areolate. Genae contour from anterior view orientation: converging. Gena contour line in frontal view shape: feebly convex. Gena sculpture: rugoso-reticulate with areolate ground sculpture. Median region of antennal rim vs. frontal carina in frontal view structure: not fully overlapped by frontal carina. Concentric carinae laterally surrounding antennal foramen count: present. Eye length vs. absolute cephalic size (EL/CS): 0.237–0.280 (mean = 0.258). Frontal carina distance vs. absolute cephalic size (FRS/CS): 0.347–0.380 (mean = 0.361). Longitudinal carinae on median region of frons count: present. Longitudinal carinae on medial region of frons shape: forked. Smooth median region on frons count: absent. Antennomere count: 12. Scape length vs. absolute cephalic size (SL/CS): 0.781–0.824 (mean = 0.799). Facial area of the scape absolute setal angle: 0–15°. External area of the scape absolute setal angle: 30°; 35–45°. Ground sculpture of submedian area of clypeus: smooth. Median carina of clypeus count: present. Lateral carinae of clypeus count: present. Median anatomical line of propodeal spine angle value to Weber length in lateral view: 45–50°. Spine length vs. absolute cephalic size (SPST/CS): 0.220–0.335 (mean = 0.276). Minimum spine distance vs. absolute cephalic size (SPBA/CS): 0.248–0.295 (mean = 0.273). Maximum spine distance vs. absolute cephalic size (SPWI/CS): 0.283–0.372 (mean = 0.333). Apical spine distance vs. absolute cephalic size (SPTI/CS): 0.270–0.346 (mean = 0.312). Maximum mesosoma width vs. absolute cephalic size (MW/CS): 0.588–0.652 (mean = 0.620). Metanotal depression count: present. Metanotal depression shape: shallow. Dorsal region of mesosoma sculpture: areolate ground sculpture, superimposed by dispersed rugae. Lateral region of pronotum sculpture: areolate ground sculpture, main sculpture dispersed costate. Mesopleuron sculpture: areolate ground sculpture superimposed by dispersed rugulae. Metapleuron sculpture: areolate ground sculpture superimposed by dispersed rugulae. Frontal profile of petiolar node contour line in lateral view shape: concave. Dorsal profile of petiolar node contour line angle value to frontal profile of petiole contour line in lateral view: 110–120°. Anterodorsal rim of petiole count: absent medially. Dorsal profile of petiolar node contour line in lateral view shape: slightly convex. Dorsal region of petiole sculpture: ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture dispersed rugose; ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture absent. Dorso-caudal petiolar profile contour line in lateral view shape: straight; concave. Dorsal region of postpetiole sculpture: ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture dispersed rugose; ground sculpture areolate, main sculpture absent.T. parvulus and T. nylanderi, particularly if the body surface is covered by diffuse dust.This species can be separated from members of other species complexes by the ruguloreticulate main sculpture on head dorsum that turns irregular on the vertex and the sides of the head. In some Western and Central European populations, the surface sculpturing might be less conspicuous, which may lead to possible confusion with T. tergestinus can be safely separated from T. nylanderi using PoOC/CL and non-overlapping SPWI/CS ratios . A discriminant function (D7) that helps separating T. tergestinus from T. sordidulus is given in differential diagnosis under the latter.on range  and by dT. sordidulus  and T. saxonicus . Our results, however, differ from the earlier [T. sordidulus, but grouped in a cluster that was formerly referred to as T. saxonicus  is nested in the T. saxonicus  fell in the same cluster with a posterior probability of p = 0.99. Therefore, we propose a new junior synonymy for Temnothorax saxonicus  with Temnothorax tergestinus  stat. n.A multivariate analyses of 22 continuous characters in 186 individuals of 64 nest samples  and 29 c earlier  view in  Seifert ); b) in  Seifert ) clusterT. tergestinus and T. sordidulus , in contrast to the 18 characters that was used to require earlier [The newly outlined species boundaries allow a considerably easier separation of lus Figs  and 29,  earlier .T. tergestinus spreads from France to Bulgaria and Greece .All samples can be uniquely distinguished by sample-specific abbreviations Click here for additional data file.S2 TableTemnothorax nylanderi species-complex.GenBank accession number of CO I sequences of ants of (FAS)Click here for additional data file.S3 TableTemnothorax nylanderi species-complex. Data are given in μm.Morphometric characters of worker individuals of (CSV)Click here for additional data file.S4 TableTemnothorax nylanderi species-complex treated in this revision. Mean of indices, ±SD are provided in the upper row, minimum and maximum values are given in parentheses in the lower row.Nest sample means of continuous morphometric data are calculated for the eighteen species of (XLSX)Click here for additional data file.S5 TableTemnothorax nylanderi species-complex investigated in this revisionary work is shown.Identification matrix calculated by Linear Discriminant Analysis and Leave One Out Cross Validation for 1693 workers of (XLSX)Click here for additional data file.S6 TableTemnothorax nylanderi species-group is provided with their semantic representations in Manchester Syntax format.The list of natural language phenotypes used in the species descriptions of (XLSX)Click here for additional data file.