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Tetramorium inglebyi species group
Based on Agavekar et al. 2017.
Diagnosis
Twelve-segmented antennae; anterior clypeal margin variable; eyes very small to minute; antennal scapes short, not surpassing posterior head margin; antennal scrobes absent; frontal carinae either completely absent or strongly reduced, at most reaching eye level; base of first gastral tergite strongly concave in dorsal view, the anterolateral corners produced as short tubercle or tooth on each side; pilosity on dorsal surfaces of body erect; sting appendage dentiform.
Notes
As already pointed out by Bolton (1977), this is a small group of relatively rare ants endemic to India. The key characters that define it are the comparatively small eyes and the shape of the base of the first gastral tergite. So far, only five species are known and each only from few specimens and collections. There is no available knowledge on the biology of the group. However, the head shape and the small eyes are reminiscent of the Afrotropical Tetramorium shilohense group. Some members of the latter group are known to be termitophagous, and it could be possible that the species of the Tetramorium inglebyi group share that dietary adaptation. However, this is highly speculative and needs to be confirmed through field observations.