Tetramorium capitale

AntWiki: The Ants --- Online
Tetramorium capitale
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Formicidae
Subfamily: Myrmicinae
Tribe: Crematogastrini
Genus: Tetramorium
Species: T. capitale
Binomial name
Tetramorium capitale
(McAreavey, 1949)

Nothing is known about the biology of Tetramorium capitale.

Identification

Bolton (1977) - In the original description McAreavey points out that the colour of the type-series is variable. Most specimens are coloured as the holotype but in some individuals he states that the alitrunk and nodes are darker, almost as dark as the head.

Keys including this Species

Distribution

Latitudinal Distribution Pattern

Latitudinal Range: -31.02° to -31.02°.

 
North
Temperate
North
Subtropical
Tropical South
Subtropical
South
Temperate

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists

Australasian Region: Australia (type locality).

Distribution based on AntMaps

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Distribution based on AntWeb specimens

Check data from AntWeb

Countries Occupied

Number of countries occupied by this species based on AntWiki Regional Taxon Lists. In general, fewer countries occupied indicates a narrower range, while more countries indicates a more widespread species.
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Estimated Abundance

Relative abundance based on number of AntMaps records per species (this species within the purple bar). Fewer records (to the left) indicates a less abundant/encountered species while more records (to the right) indicates more abundant/encountered species.
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Biology

Castes

Nomenclature

The following information is derived from Barry Bolton's Online Catalogue of the Ants of the World.

  • capitale. Xiphomyrmex capitalis McAreavey, 1949: 6, figs. 20-25 (w.q.) AUSTRALIA. Combination in Tetramorium: Bolton, 1977: 136.

Worker

Bolton (1977) - Holotype. TL 3.8, HL 0.86, HW 0.82, CI 95, SL 0.60, SI 73, PW 0.72, AL 1.18 (measurements of HW and AL are approximate as specimen is obscured by glue).

Mandibles finely longitudinally striate, the anterior clypeal margin without a median notch. Frontal carinae extending back to level of posterior margin of eye but behind this merging into the other rugulose sculpture of the head. Eyes of moderate size, the maximum diameter c. 0.21. Occipital margin of head somewhat concave medially, not 'almost straight' as in the original description. Promesonotum broad and broadly convex both longitudinally and transversely. In profile the promesonotum forming a single convexity and with the propodeum considerably depressed below the level of the promesonotum (Fig. 72) and sloping downwards posteriorly. Propodeal spines acute, metapleural lobes triangular, very narrow apically and somewhat upcurved. Node of petiole in profile with the tergal portion distinctly higher than its dorsal length. In dorsal view the petiole node transverse, distinctly broader than long, with parallel anterior and posterior faces, and the sides slightly divergent posteriorly. Head and dorsal alitrunk predominantly longitudinally rugulose with scattered cross-meshes, the spaces between the rugulae very finely punctulate. Petiole and postpetiole rugulose dorsally and finely, densely punctate; the basal one-third of the first gastral tergite superficially finely punctate. All dorsal surfaces of head and body with numerous erect or suberect hairs. Colour a light orange-brown, with the gaster slightly lighter in shade than the alitrunk and the head considerably darker.

Type Material

Bolton (1977) - Holotype worker and paratype workers and females, Australia: New South Wales, Bogan R., Nyngan (J. W. T. Armstrong) (Australian National Insect Collection) [holotype examined].

References

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

  • Steiner F. M., B. Seifert, K. Moder, and B. C. Schlick-Steiner. 2010. A multisource solution for a complex problem in biodiversity research: description of the cryptic ant species Tetramorium alpestre sp. n. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zoologischer Anzeiger 249: 223-254.