Tetramorium setuliferum

This species has populous colonies that nest in open areas. There is often a mound of refuse surrounding a single nest entrance. (Mbanyana et al. 2018)

Identification
Mbanyana et al. (2018) - Tetramorium setuliferum is morphologically similar to Tetramorium clunum. The two species are separated by the characters listed under T. clunum.

Distribution
This is a widespread and common species in savanna and grassland regions of southern Africa.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Habitat
Known from forest clearings, weedy areas, savanna on white clay soil, dry forest savanna, Thornveld savanna, Kimberley Thornveld, Miombo woodland, riverine-grassveld, old tobacco fields, sandy soil areas dominated by shrubs, and citrus orchards. The ecoregions where it is known include: Angolan Mopane Woodlands, Drakensberg Montane Grasslands, Highveld Grasslands, Kalahari Xeric Savanna, Kalahari Acacia–Baikiaea Woodlands, Maputaland-Pondoland Bushland and Thickets, Nama Karoo, Namibian Savanna Woodlands, Southern Africa Bushveld, Southern Africa Mangroves, Southern Miombo Woodlands, Succulent Karoo, Zambezian and Mopane Woodlands, Zambezian Flooded Grasslands.

Biology
A general scavenger including seeds as well as insect prey in their diet. The species normally nests in sandy to loamy soils, with nest entrances found in open areas, away from the basal parts of plants or at the base of a grass tuft. There can be more than one nest entrance per colony. Circles of grass seed husks, piles of small stones or scattered soil particles have been found around nest entrances. Seeds are regularly found in nests. Reproductive forms have been collected from nests between October and February. Collected using pitfall traps, tuna baits, and sugar baits.

Nomenclature

 *  setuliferum. Tetramorium setuliferum Emery, 1895h: 36 (w.) SOUTH AFRICA. Forel, 1910f: 19 (q.); Arnold, 1917: 290 (m.). Material of the nomen nudum squamiferum referred here by Wheeler, W.M. 1922a: 903. Senior synonym of cucalense (and its junior syonym triptolemus): Bolton, 1980: 250.
 * cucalense. Tetramorium setuliferum var. cucalense Santschi, 1911c: 356 (w.) ANGOLA. Santschi, 1930b: 71 (q.). Senior synonym of triptolemus: Santschi, 1930b: 71. Junior synonym of setuliferum: Bolton, 1980: 250.
 * triptolemus. Tetramorium setuliferum var. triptolemus Arnold, 1917: 292 (w.) ZAMBIA. Junior synonym of cucalense: Santschi, 1930b: 71.

Worker
Mbanyana et al. (2018) - (N = 13) HL 0.964–1.210 (1.114); HW 0.969–1.259 (1.151); SL 0.698–0.846 (0.803); EL 0.220–0.275 (0.254); PH 0.433–0.561 (0.486); PW 0.610–0.799 (0.724); WL 0.983–1.210 (1.118); PSL 0.197–0.285 (0.289); PTH 0.266–0.403 (0.362); PTL 0.293–0.388 (0.337); PTW 0.329–0.433 (0.391); PPH 0.329–0.408 (0.364); PPL 0.197–0.310 (0.279); PPW 0.401–0.600 (0.540); OI 20–24 (22); CI 100–106 (103); SI 66–74 (70); DMI 62–70 (65); LMI 41–50 (44); PSLI 21–31 (26); PeNI 51–57 (54); LPeI 79–108 (93); DPeI 103–147 (117); PpNI 66–79 (75); LPpI 74–87 (77); DPpI 167–212 (194); PPI 122–143 (138).

Type Material
Mbanyana et al. (2018):

South Africa: syntypes of Tetramorium setuliferum Emery, 1895: 2 pinned workers, Orange Free State, Bethlehem, Weitzecker leg. (: CASENT0904839). Angola: syntypes of Tetramorium setuliferum var. cucalense Santschi, 1910: 1 pinned worker, Cucala, Benguela, J. Cruchet leg. (RMCAENT000017786); 1 pinned worker, Cucala near Caconda, Benguela, 31 Dec. 1910, Santschi leg. (: CASENT0915077; : CASENT0915425).

Zambia: syntype of Tetramorium setuliferum var. triptolemus Arnold, 1917: 1 pinned worker, “N. Rhod.” according to label, Lusakas, Oct. 1913, G. Arnold leg. (: CASENT0901177).