Tetramorium nursei

Nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
Bolton (1977) - This species belongs to the predominantly Palaearctic caespitum-group and has affinity with Tetramorium semilaeve Andre and its allies. The taxonomy of this group has never been satisfactorily worked out although the group itself is compact and well defined (see above). This definition of the group plus the above diagnosis of nursei should serve to separate this species from all others in the Oriental and Indo-Australian regions, although the latter may not be sufficient to separate it from other members of the caespitum-group, should any more be found in these regions.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: India, Pakistan. Palaearctic Region: China, Iran.

Nomenclature

 *  nursei. Tetramorium nursei Bingham, 1903: 181, fig. 67 (w.) PAKISTAN. See also: Bolton, 1977: 93.

Worker
Bolton (1977) - TL 3.0-3.2, HL 0.74-0.80, HW 0.66-0.74, CI 89-92, SL 0.56-0.60, SI 81-85, PW 0.44-0.48, AL 0.88-0.94 (4 measured).

Mandibles striate anterior clypeal margin entire. Frontal carinae very short, ending at the posterior level of the depres;ion accommodating the antennal insertions. Antennal scrobes absent. Maximum diameter of eyes c. 0·14. Occipital margin of head shallowly concave in full-face view, the sides of the head feebly convex. With the alitrunk in profile the site of the metanotal groove feebly impressed. Propodeal spines minute, triangular and dentiform. Metapleural lobes short and broadly triangular. Petiole in profile high and relatively narrow, the height of the tergal portion greater than the length of the dorsum. In dorsal view both petiole and postpetiole distinctly broader than long. Dorsum of head largely unsculptured, with some very fine, faint longitudinal rugulae medially and a few stronger rugulae between the eye and the antennal insertion. Dorsal alitrunk mostly unsculptured but the anterior pronotum with some superficial punctulation and elsewhere with sparse, very faint, almost effaced superficial shagreening. Dorsal surfaces of petiole, postpetiole and gaster unsculptured. All dorsal surfaces of head and body with numerous quite stout erect or suberect hairs, absent from the appendages. Colour uniform dark yellowish brown.

Type Material
Bolton (1977) - Syntype workers, Pakistan: N.W. Frontier, Quetta, 4·02 (Nurse) [examined].