Tetramorium eleates

Collection records show specimens have been found in rainforest and palm forest litter samples.

Identification
Bolton (1977) - A medium-sized reddish brown species, the closest known related species are undoubtedly the Thailand Tetramorium flavipes and the Indian Tetramorium belgaense. Further collections may show that the rather weak characters separating eleates and flavipes are not consistent.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Indo-Australian Region: Indonesia, Philippines. Oriental Region: Thailand.

Nomenclature

 *  eleates. Tetramorium (Xiphomyrmex) tortuosum var. eleates Forel, 1913k: 82 (w.q.) INDONESIA (Sumatra). Imai, Brown, et al. 1984: 68 (k.). Raised to species: Bolton, 1977: 79.

Type Material
Bolton (1977) - Syntype workers, females, Sumatra: Bah Boelian (Buttel-Reepen) [examined].

Worker
Bolton (1977) - TL 2.7-3.8, HL 0.72-0.84, HW 0.68-0.78, CI 90-95, SL 0.54-0.62, SI 79-83, PW 0.56-0.66, AL 0.86-0.96 (10 measured).

Mandibles striate. Frontal carinae strongly developed, long, extending back almost to the occipital margin and forming the upper margin of a scrobe which will accommodate the scape. Alitrunk in dorsal view with strongly angulate pronotal corners. Propodeum armed with a pair of stout spines, the metapleural lobes dentiform and acute. Petiole node in profile roughly rectangular, slightly higher than long and shallowly convex dorsally, distinctly more massive than the postpetiole, the node of which is low and rounded. In dorsal view the petiole longer than broad, the post petiole subglobular, only slightly broader than long. Dorsal surfaces of head and ali trunk reticulate-rugose, on the head the longitudinal component more pronounced than the cross-meshes. Sides and dorsum of petiole rugulose, the sides distinctly more heavily sculptured than the dorsum. Sides of postpetiole usually unsculptured, rarely with one or two fine, longitudinal rugulae, the dorsum always smooth and shining. Gaster unsculptured. Simple erect hairs numerous on all dorsal surfaces.