Trichomyrmex lameerei

One paralectotype specimen is mounted with a seed between mandibles which indicates a granivorous feeding habitat of this species (Sharaf et al. 2016).

Identification
Sharaf et al. (2016) - Trichomyrmex chobauti is closest to Trichomyrmex almosayari and Trichomyrmex lameerei. All three species share the abundant long ammochaete J-shaped hairs that form a distinct psammophore on the underside of the head. Trichomyrmex chobauti can be readily separated from T. almosayari by the bicoloured body, the oval eyes, and the straight or feebly concave posterior margin of the head. From T. lameerei it can be distinguished by the smaller size, the longer antennal scapes that reach the posterior margin of the head, and the unsculptured posterior half of the head.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: United Arab Emirates. Palaearctic Region: Algeria, Israel.

Nomenclature

 *  lameerei. Holcomyrmex lameerei Forel, 1902a: 150 (w.) ALGERIA. Santschi, 1907: 327 (q.m.). Combination in Monomorium: Emery, 1908h: 673; in M. (Equestrimessor): Santschi, 1919d: 92; in M. (Xeromyrmex): Emery, 1922e: 177; in Trichomyrmex: Ward et al., 2014: 16. See also: Bolton, 1987: 297. Current subspecies: nominal plus stauderi.

Worker
Sharaf et al. (2016) - TL 4.06–4.50; HL 0.95–1.09; HW 1.00–1.15; SL 0.53–0.75; EL 0.16–0.18; ML 1.25–1.40; PW 0.60–0.61; PTL 0.30–0.31; PTW 0.21–0.25; PPL 0.17–0.23; PPW 0.27–0.30; CI 105–106; EI 16; SI 53–65 (CASENT0249870, CASENT0249871).

Head. Broader than long, with emarginated posterior margin, rounded corners and feebly convex sides; anterior clypeal margin feebly concave; eyes of moderate size (EL 0.15–0.16 × HW) with 12 ommatidia in longest row; scapes when laid back from their insertions fail to reach posterior margin of head.

Mesosoma. Metanotal groove impressed; propodeal dorsum 1.5 × longer than propodeal declivity in profile.

Petiole. Peduncle long; two small lateral projections at junction between node and peduncle seen in dorsal view; petiolar node high and rounded in profile.

Pilosity. Underside of head with abundant long J-shaped hairs forming a distinct psammophore; cephalic surface with sparse short hairs directed inward to midline of head; anterior clypeal margin with abundant long hairs; scapes with sparse appressed pubescence; funiculus with dense appressed pubescence; mesosoma with abundant short hairs, few longer pairs on pronotum and mesonotum; petiole with abundant short hairs; postpetiole with about seven pairs of long hairs directed backward; gaster with few sparse long hairs and abundant appressed pubescence.

Sculpture. Cephalic surface finely and densely longitudinally costulate; mandibles longitudinally rugulose; mesosomal dorsum finely transversely costulate; petiolar node nearly smooth and slightly shining; postpetiolar dorsum irregularly longitudinally rugulose; gaster smooth and shining.

Colour. Head, mesosoma, petiole, postpetiole and appendages reddish brown, gaster dark brown or blackish brown.

Type Material
Sharaf et al. (2016) - Algeria. Palearctic, syntype worker [examined], (Lectotype here designated; Hamada between Houderat, Sahara Algeria, A. Forel (CASENT0249871) ; paralectotype worker with same data as the lectotype (CASENT0249870) [examined].