| Temnothorax nylanderi | |
|---|---|
| |
| Temnothorax nylanderi worker | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Formicidae |
| Subfamily: | Myrmicinae |
| Genus: | Temnothorax |
| Species: | T. nylanderi
|
| Binomial name | |
| Temnothorax nylanderi | |
Temnothorax nylanderi is a species of ant in the genus Temnothorax.[2] The species is found in western Europe. It was first described by Förster (1850) based on a male from Germany.[3]
Temnothorax nylanderi lives in the litter, and nests can be found in small cavities in twigs and acorns for example. Nests usually contain less than 400 individuals, among them a single queen.[4] Study shows that if these ants live socially isolated, their interaction with their colony members decreases and their stress response changes.[5]
Temnothorax nylanderi is widely distributed across Western Europe, and a parapatric species (Temnothorax crassispinus) is found in Eastern Europe.[6] Hybridization can occur between the two species.[7]
Temnothorax nylanderi workers are known to have important size variations that do not seem to result from adaptations to their environment, but rather from a lack of canalization during larval development, likely to occur as these ants live in an environment where humidity and temperature can vary greatly.[8] Intercaste individuals that share morphological traits of queens and workers are known to occur frequently.[9] The morphology of these ants can be changed by a parasite, Anomotaenia brevis, that increases the amount of intercaste individuals and induces a change of colors (individuals infected by the cestod are more pale than other individuals).[10]
