Tetramorium megalops

A species of semi-arid habitats (Heterick 2009).

Identification
Bolton (1977) - The most conspicuous character of this species is without doubt the eyes, which are both relatively and absolutely large. The maximum eye diameter of 0·24 is approached in general only by species with HW considerably greater than 0·80 so that the maximum diameter is < 0.30 x HW, usually markedly less. The position of the eyes, behind the centre of the sides, may indicate some affinity to Tetramorium viehmeyeri, but the unique form of the clypeus will quickly differentiate that species.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Nomenclature

 *  megalops. Tetramorium megalops Bolton, 1977: 139, fig. 61 (w.) AUSTRALIA.

Worker
Holotype. TL 4.1, HL 0.90, HW 0.78, CI 87, SL 0.66, SI 84, PW 0.66, AL 1.18.

Mandibles distinctly longitudinally striate; anterior clypeal margin without a median notch. Median clypeal carina absent from anterior (descending) face of clypeus, not reaching anterior margin but fading out just below the clypeal curve. Frontal carinae strong, consisting of a raised, narrow, semitranslucent flange which runs back to the occipital corners where it merges with the sculpture. Scrobe a shallow groove below the carinae capable of partially accommodating the scape. Eyes relatively large, maximum diameter c. 0.24, about 0.32 x HW; the eyes situated well back on the sides of the head (Fig. 61). Propodeal spines in profile short (length c. 0.16) but acute; metapleural lobes elongate-triangular and acute. Node of petiole in dorsal view slightly longer than broad, broader behind than in front. In profile the tergal portion of the node is longer than high and the dorsum is very shallowly convex. Postpetiole in profile dome-shaped, as high as the petiole. Dorsum of head longitudinally rugose, with some anastomoses in the occipital region. Sides of head except for scrobe finely reticulate-rugose. Spaces between rugae and area of scrobe finely, densely but distinctly reticulate-punctate. Pronotal dorsum with a fine rugoreticulum but on mesonotum the cross-meshes are reduced so that the sc1erite is predominantly longitudinally rugose. Petiole and postpetiole finely reticulate-rugulose everywhere, spaces between rugae on both alitrunk and pedicel filled with dense, fine puncturation. Gaster unsculptured. All dorsal surfaces of body with short, quite stout, blunted hairs. Colour light yellow-brown, the gaster lighter in shade than the head.

Type Material
Holotype worker, Australia: Western Australia, c. 60 km NW. Balladonia, 13.ii.1955, no. 440 (E. O. Wilson & A. Douglas).