Tetramorium tricarinatum

Nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
Bolton (1977) - Closely related to Tetramorium pacificum, tricarinatum is easily separated from that species by its distinct colour and reduced sculpture. It is one of three bicoloured black and yellow species of Tetramorium found on New Guinea. One of these, Tetramorium diligens, belongs to the carinatum-group and has 11 antennal segments and a spatulate sting appendage, the other, Tetramorium bicolor, is very closely related but much less strongly sculptured.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Indo-Australian Region: New Guinea.

Nomenclature

 *  tricarinatum. Tetramorium bicolor subsp. tricarinatum Viehmeyer, 1914c: 529, fig. 4 (w.) NEW GUINEA. Raised to species and senior synonym of tricolor: Bolton, 1977: 103.
 * tricolor. Xiphomyrmex tricolor Donisthorpe, 1949c: 753 (w.) NEW GUINEA. [Unresolved junior secondary homonym of Triglyphothrix tricolor Donisthorpe, above.] Junior synonym of tricarinatum: Bolton, 1977: 103.

Worker
Bolton (1977) - TL 3.4-4.4, HL 0.86-1.06, HW 0.74-0.92, CI 84-89, SL 0.60-0.78, SI 81-89, PW 0.54-0.64, AL 1.00-1.20 (15 measured).

Mandibles smooth, unsculptured except for scattered pits. Clypeus with a median notch or impression. Median portion of clypeus with three strong longitudinal carinae. Frontal carinae extending back almost to the occiput. Maximum diameter of eye e. 0.17-0.20, about 0.22-0.24 x HW. Propodeal spines in profile long, narrow and acute; metapleural lobes broadly triangular, acute and somewhat upcurved. Petiole node in profile with the anterior face distinctly shorter than the posterior so that the convex dorsal surface slopes upwards posteriorly and the posterodorsal angle is on a higher level than the rounded anterodorsal angle. Sculpture of dorsum of head between frontal carinae consisting of three longitudinal carinae which in most specimens run uninterruptedly from clypeus almost to occiput. In some the lateral pair of carinae are interrupted or broken and in most specimens other short carinae or rugulae are present upon the dorsum. Some anastomosis of the rugulae or carinae may occur occipitally, but reticulate sculpture is absent. Ground sculpture between the carinae or rugae is very faint and the surfaces are mostly shiny. Dorsal alitrunk rugose, predominantly longitudinally in some, but with pronotal or other reticulation in others. Petiole and postpetiole rugose, usually longitudinal on dorsum but reticulate on the sides, less commonly reticulate everywhere. Gaster unsculptured. Long, erect or suberect hairs present on all dorsal surfaces of head and body. Colour conspicuous, head and gaster blackish brown to black, alitrunk and all appendages yellow or very light yellow-brown. Some of the larger workers also show patches of yellowish colour around the occipital margins of the head.

Type Material
Bolton (1977) - Syntype workers, New Guinea: Papua, Rawlinsongebirge [examined].

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Bolton B. 1977. The ant tribe Tetramoriini (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). The genus Tetramorium Mayr in the Oriental and Indo-Australian regions, and in Australia. Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History). Entomology 36:67-151.
 * Bolton, B. "The ant tribe Tetramoriini (Hymenoptera: Formicinae. The genus Tetramorium Mayr in the Oriental and Indo-Australian regions and in Australia." Bulletin of the British Museum (National History): Entomology series 36, no. 2 (1977): 68-151.
 * Janda M., G. D. Alpert, M. L. Borowiec, E. P. Economo, P. Klimes, E. Sarnat, and S. O. Shattuck. 2011. Cheklist of ants described and recorded from New Guinea and associated islands. Available on http://www.newguineants.org/. Accessed on 24th Feb. 2011.
 * Snelling R. R. 2000. Ants of the Wapoga river area, Irian Jaya, Indonesia. In Mack, Andrew L. and Leeanne E. Alonso (eds.). 2000. A Biological Assessment of the Wapoga River Area of Northwestern Irian Jaya, Indonesia. RAP Bulletin of Biological Assessment 14, Conservation International, Washington, DC.
 * Viehmeyer H. 1914. Papuanische Ameisen. Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift 1914: 515-535.