Key to Afrotropical Tetramorium capillosum species complex

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These is a small endemic Afrotropical species complex. These species are the only members of the Tetramorium tortuosum species group in this region.

This species complex and key is based on Hita Garcia, F. & Fisher, B. 2013. The Tetramorium tortuosum species group (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Myrmicinae) revisited - taxonomic revision of the Afrotropical T. capillosum species complex. ZooKeys 299, 77-99.

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1

  • Antennal scapes relatively short (SI 73 - 77); petiolar node in profile clearly rectangular nodiform with anterodorsal and posterodorsal margins at about same height (Fig. 1A) . . . . . . Tetramorium hecate
Tetramorium hecate casent0235154 p 1 high.jpg
Tetramorium hecate casent0235154 d 1 high.jpg
  • Antennal scapes always longer (SI 80 - 86); petiolar node nodiform with less rectangular and more rounded margins, anterodorsal margin situated lower than posterodorsal margin (Figs. 1B & 1C) . . . . . 2
Figure 1. Petiolar node in profile. A Tetramorium hecate (CASENT0248334) B Tetramorium capillosum (CASENT0901156) C Tetramorium tabarum(CASENT0280900).

2

  • Mandibles strongly longitudinally sculptured; eyes moderately large (OI 23 - 25); whole body dark brown to black in colour (Figs. 2A & 2C) . . . . . . Tetramorium capillosum
Tetramorium capillosum casent0316960 p 1 high.jpg
Tetramorium capillosum casent0316960 d 1 high.jpg
  • Mandibles unsculptured, smooth and shiny; eyes very large (OI 27 - 31); body bicoloured, head, mesosoma, waist segments yellow to bright orange, gaster very dark brown to black (Figs. 2B & 2D) . . . . . . Tetramorium tabarum
Tetramorium tabarum casent0280900 p 1 high.jpg
Tetramorium tabarum casent0280900 d 1 high.jpg
Figure 2. A, B Head in full-face view. A Tetramorium capillosum (CASENT0901156) B Tetramorium tabarum (CASENT0316967) C, D Body in profile. C Tetramorium capillosum (CASENT0316960) D Tetramorium tabarum (CASENT0316967).