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Key to Tetramorium species groups of Kakamega, Kenya
This worker key is based on: Hita Garcia, F.; Fischer, G.; Kück, P.; Thormann, B.; Peters, M. K. 2010. Tetramorium boehmei sp. n. – a new ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) species from the Kakamega Forest, Western Kenya. Bonn Zoological Bulletin. 57:359-366. [2010-11]
The following key to species groups is adapted from Bolton (1976, 1980) and specific for the Kakamega Forest, though it also works for Western Kenya in general.
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1
- Whole body covered with regularly branched hairs, either bifid or trifid, giving the ant a woolly or furry appearance. . . . . . 2
- Hairs generally simple, rarely bizarrely modified, but never regularly branched bifid nor trifid as above . . . . . 3
2
return to couplet #1
- Antennae 11-segmented; elongate simple hairs present along the antennal scapes and upper borders of the frontal carinae . . . . . Tetramorium ericae group
- Antennae 12-segmented; elongate simple hairs absent along the antennal scapes and upper borders of the frontal carinae . . . . . Tetramorium gabonense group
3
return to couplet #1
- Antennae 11-segmented. . . . . . 4
- Antennae 12-segmented. . . . . . 5
4
return to couplet #3
- Petiolar node squamiform to high nodiform, never blocky nodiform with sharply defined angles . . . . . Tetramorium weitzeckeri group
- Petiolar node strongly blocky nodiform, generally with sharply defined angles . . . . . Tetramorium angulinode group
5
return to couplet #3
- Lateral portion of clypeus prominent, raised to a tooth or crest in full-face view; in dorsal view the lateral clypeal portions rise to a high peak in front of the antennal insertions and then slope down towards the median part of the clypeus. . . . . . Tetramorium sericeiventre group
- Lateral portion of clypeus not modified as above. . . . . . 6
6
return to couplet #5
- Antennal scapes very long (always SI > 120); frontal carinae weakly developed and short, at most reaching the posterior eye margins. . . . . . Tetramorium aculeatum group
- Antennal scapes distinctly shorter than above (always SI < 110); frontal carinae variable. . . . . . 7
7
return to couplet #6
- Propodeum armed with a pair of small triangular teeth or denticles which at most are as large as the propodeal lobes. . . . . . 8
- Propodeum armed with a pair of medium-sized to long spines which are noticeably larger than the propodeal lobes. . . . . . 12
8
return to couplet #7
- Anterior clypeal margin with median impression . . . . . Tetramorium dumezi group (in part - also #11)
- Anterior clypeal margin entire. . . . . . 9
9
return to couplet #8
- Tibiae with short appressed pubescence. . . . . . 10
- Tibiae with subdecumbent to erect pilosity or pubescence. . . . . . 11
10
return to couplet #9
- Hairs on dorsal mesosoma and gaster usually sparse, short, stout, and blunted . . . . . Tetramorium simillimum group
- Hairs on dorsal mesosoma and gaster usually numerous, elongate and fine . . . . . Tetramorium quadridentatum group
11
return to couplet #9
- Frontal carinae long, usually reaching occiput. . . . . . Tetramorium dumezi group (in part - also #8)
- Frontal carinae short and weakly developed, ending at eye level . . . . . Tetramorium convexum group
12
return to couplet #7
- Anterior clypeal margin with median impression. . . . . . 13
- Anterior clypeal margin entire, without a median impression. . . . . . 14
13
return to couplet #12
- Occipital region of head variably rugose, rugulose or unsculptured, rarely with few anastomoses, without a rugo-reticulum . . . . . Tetramorium camerunense group
- Occipital region of head distinctly rugo-reticulate. . . . . . Tetramorium bicarinatum group
14
return to couplet #12
- Eyes larger, at least 9 ommatidia in the longest row . . . . . Tetramorium setigerum group
- Eyes smaller, at most 7 to 8 ommatidia in the longest row . . . . . Tetramorium flabellum group