Tetramorium galaticum

Specimens have been collected from dry and sunny habitats from the sea coast up to 1100 m. Nests were found in pasture, scrub, open pine forest and along roadsides and lake shores. In one nest 7 gynes were collected. (Salata and Borowiec 2017)

Identification
Salata and Borowiec (2017) - Tetramorium galaticum in all castes is extremely similar to other species of the Tetramorium semilaeve complex. The best distinguishing characters are found in the sexual forms. However, in examining a group of workers from a nest series the following differences can be observed (worker characters for T. galaticum in parentheses):

Workers of T. semilaeve differ in occipital margin of head straight or very shallowly concave (always more or less concave) and usually slightly longer and more spiniform propodeal spines (shorter and triangular), workers of Tetramorium atlante differ in darker coloured, yellowish-brown to brown body (usually yellow to pale yellowish-brown) and distinctly longer spiniform propodeal spines (shorter and triangular), workers of Tetramorium depressum and Tetramorium punctatum distinctly differ in reduced sculpture of head with at least half frontal surface smooth and shiny, often with whole frons smooth and shiny (frons usually with complete longitudinal rugae). Workers of Tetramorium bellerophoni differ in more distinctly striate head, especially with distinct striation in postocular area (postocular area mostly smooth and shiny) and more spiniform propodeal spines (shorter and triangular). Workers of Tetramorium kephalosi differ in darker coloured, yellowish-brown to brown body (usually yellow to pale yellowish-brown) and workers of Tetramorium hippocratis differ in dark brown to black body (usually yellow to pale yellowish-brown).

Gynes of T. galaticum distinctly differ from all species of T. semilaeve complex except T. bellerophoni in large body with length ML above 2.0 (below 2.0 in other species) and MW above 1.3 (below 1.25 in other species). Gynes of T. atlante, and T. hippocratis differ also in brown to black body (yellow in T. galaticum) and scutum mostly striate (mostly smooth in T. galaticum), gynes of T. punctatum group differ in very broad postpetiolus, more than 1.8 times as wide as long (1.6-1.7 times as wide as long in T. galaticum) and gynes of T. kephalosi differ in brown body (yellow in T. galaticum) and slimmer mesosoma with ML/MW ratio approximately 1.70 (1.56. in T. galaticum). The most similar are gynes of T. bellerophoni with similar large and stout body but differ in scutum and scutellum without striation.

Males of T semilaeve differ in broad striate area at base of scutum (absent or narrow) and top of inner margin of paramere with dentiform plate extending beyond the sharp edge of paramere (without plate).

Males of T. atlante distinctly differ from males of T. galaticum in head behind eyes trapezoidal (rounded), scutum between sutures mostly striate and microreticulate (smooth and shiny), scutellum at whole base microreticulate and striate (completely smooth and shiny or in basal corners with fine sculpture), propodeum slightly angulate (round), katepisternum in both upper corners with broad microreticulate and striate area (narrow sculptured areas), and male genitalia in lateral view distinctly constricted before apex (shallowly constricted). Male of T. bellerophoni distinctly differs in smaller head (CL 0.679-0.715 vs. 0.715-0.732), clypeus with circular rugae (parallel in T. galaticum) and petiole smaller in relation to postpetiole (PEW/PPW 0.619-0.695 vs. 0.719-0.761).

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: Turkey.

Nomenclature

 *  galaticum. Tetramorium semilaeve var. galatica Menozzi, 1936d: 292 (w.q.) TURKEY.
 * [First available use of Tetramorium caespitum st. biskrensis var. galatica Santschi, 1921a: 112 (w.q.) TURKEY; unavailable (infrasubspecific) name.]
 * Subspecies of semilaeve: Bolton, 1995b: 408; Legakis, 2011: 21.
 * Status as species: Salata & Borowiec, 2017: 281.

Worker
(n=17): CL: 0.717 ± 0.027 (0.648-0.771); POC: 0.286 ± 0.02 (0.257-0.341); CW: 0.682 ± 0.032 (0.603-0.729); FR: 0.252± 0.015 (0.221-0.274); FL: 0.261 ± 0.012 (0.235-0.279); SL: 0.525 ± 0.02 (0.492-0.581); OMD: 0.174 ± 0.011 (0.156-0.201); EL: 0.129 ± 0.01 (0.115-0.145); EH: 0.094 ± 0.007 (0.078-0.106); ML: 0.781 ± 0.037 (0.726-0.86); SPSP: 0.135± 0.01 (0.123-0.162); SPL: 0.1 ± 0.01 (0.089-0.123); PEL: 0.2 ± 0.01 (0.19-0.212); NOL: 0.169± 0.012 (0.145-0.19); PPL: 0.186 ± 0.01 (0.168-0.201); PEH: 0.246 ± 0.016 (0.226-0.274); NOH: 0.174 ± 0.014 (0.156-0.201); PPH: 0.248 ± 0.013 (0.223-0.268); MW: 0.442 ± 0.023 (0.402-0.492); PEW: 0.217 ± 0.015 (0.19-0.246); PPW: 0.263 ± 0.013 (0.24-0.285); CS: 0.699 ± 0.03 (0.626-0.75); EYE: 0.16 ± 0.006 (0.148-0.168); CL/CW: 1.051 ± 0.018 (1.025-1.088); FR/CS: 0.363 ± 0.012 (0.348-0.392); FL/FR: 1.034 ± 0.022 (1.0-1.089); SL/CS: 0.752 ± 0.016 (0.725-0.787); MW/CS: 0.634 ± 0.015 (0.611-0.662); PEW/PPW: 0.824 ± 0.044 (0.764-0.931); NOH/NOL: 1.029 ± 0.062 (0.936-1.131); NOH/PEL: 0.869 ± 0.069 (0.764-1.0); NOL/PEL: 0.843 ± 0.047 (0.763-0.926); PEH/NOL: 1.447 ± 0.074 (1.358-1.621); PEW/PEH: 0.886 ± 0.035 (0.841-0.94); CS/PEW: 3.2 ± 0.139 (2.945-3.492); CS/PPW: 2.658 ± 0.115 (2.511-2.998; CW/MW: 1.577 ± 0.038 (1.51-1.637).

Small to medium size, CS 0.699 [0.626, 0.75]. In most specimens whole body yellow, the darkest specimens pale yellowish-brown but never dark brown or black, appendages yellow. Head slightly longer than wide CL/CW 1.051 [1.025, 1.088], with almost parallel sides, slightly concave occipital margin and rounded occipital corners. Eyes small, EYE 0.16 [0.148, 0.168]. Frons moderately wide, FR/CS 0.363 [0.348, 0.392], frontal lobes as wide as frons, FL/FR 1.034 [1.0, 1.089]. Scape short, SL/CS 0.752 [0.725, 0.787], without dorsal carina basally, surface smooth and shiny. Promesonotal dorsum slightly convex, metanotal groove very shallow, sometimes indistinct. Propodeal teeth short, triangular, apex of spine located approximately at 2/3 height of mesosoma. Dorsal surface of petiole flat to slightly convex, NOH/NOL 1.029 [0.936, 1.131], petiole moderately high, PEH/NOL 1.447 [1.358, 1.621], postpetiole distinctly transverse. General appearance finely rugose, ground surface shiny. Head dorsum partly longitudinally rugose and shiny between rugae, rugae extend occipital margin of head, occiput laterally mostly smooth and shiny, sides in anterior half longitudinally rugose and shiny between rugae. In most specimens between frontal rugose area and rugosities along ocular area on each side runs longitudinal stripe without rugosities but smooth area never exceeds 1/5 of the anterior surface of head; in extremely sculptured specimens almost whole frontal surface of head with long rugae with very small smooth patch, in extremely fine sculptured specimens only frons with rugae, ocular area, top of head and postocular area smooth and shiny, the level of development of sculpture is correlated with size and coloration of workers, small and paler coloured specimens usually have less developed sculpture than large and darker coloured specimens. Alitrunk dorsum longitudinally rugose and microreticulate but never reticulate, also specimens with reduced head sculpture have complete rugae along pronotum. Sides of pronotum and meso- and metapleuron usually coarsely microreticulate, sometimes reticulation tends to form transverse lines but surface never appears striate or rugose, pronotum close to ventral margin with small, convex, shiny patch. Dorsum of petiolar node smooth and shiny with sides carinate, lateral surface microreticulate. Dorsum of postpetiole smooth and shiny, sides microreticulate. First gastral tergite smooth and shiny. Whole dorsum, including head, covered with sparse setae, the longest on pronotum and the shortest on frons. Ventral surface of head with sparse short and 2–3 moderately long setae not forming a psammophore.

Queen
(n=7): CL: 1.164 ± 0.023 (1.117-1.187); POC: 0.426 ± 0.024 (0.387-0.46); CW: 1.27 ± 0.025 (1.239-1.309); FR: 0.457 ± 0.014 (0.436-0.483); FL: 0.454 ± 0.013 (0.43-0.471); SL: 0.824 ± 0.03 (0.76-0.854); OMD: 0.279 ± 0.017 (0.257-0.313); EL: 0.297 ± 0.019 (0.274-0.335); EH: 0.231 ± 0.012 (0.212-0.246); ML: 2.127 ± 0.06 (2.043-2.23); SPSP: 0.349 ± 0.02 (0.324-0.391); SPL: 0.212 ± 0.011 (0.201-0.232); PEL: 0.352 ± 0.017 (0.335-0.38); NOL: 0.274 ± 0.011 (0.257-0.291); PPL: 0.367 ± 0.031 (0.313-0.402); PEH: 0.509 ± 0.018 (0.492-0.536); NOH: 0.341 ± 0.018 (0.313-0.357); PPH: 0.538 ± 0.025 (0.503-0.569); MW: 1.366 ± 0.032 (1.324-1.424); PEW: 0.461 ± 0.012 (0.446-0.482); PPW: 0.646 ± 0.012 (0.62-0.659); CS: 1.217 ± 0.023 (1.178-1.248); EYE: 0.217 ± 0.012 (0.202-0.232); CL/CW: 0.916 ± 0.009 (0.902-0.931); FR/CS: 0.375 ± 0.007 (0.368-0.387); FL/FR: 1.01 ± 0.01 (1.0-1.03); SL/CS: 0.677 ± 0.022 (0.635-0.707); MW/CS: 1.123 ± 0.017 (1.098-1.149); PEW/PPW: 0.715 ± 0.026 (0.678-0.748); NOH/NOL: 1.261 ± 0.084 (1.168-1.389); NOH/PEL: 0.957 ± 0.037 (0.905-1.0); NOL/PEL: 0.783 ± 0.065 (0.676-0.869); PEH/NOL: 1.882 ± 0.061 (1.776-1.921); PEW/PEH: 0.915 ± 0.021 (0.884-0.938); CS/PEW: 2.64 ± 0.095 (2.482-2.779); CS/PPW: 1.88 ± 0.031 (1.827-1.929); CW/MW: 0.891 ± 0.013 (0.87-0.911); WAIST: 0.913 ± 0.02 (0.89-0.95).

Moderate size, CS 1.217 [1.178, 1.248]. Whole body yellow to yellowish-brown, in fully coloured specimens scutum along middle with two yellow stripes and scutellum with dark spot in the middle, appendages yellowish. Head wider than long, CL/CW 0.916 [0.902, 0.931], with straight subparallel sides, shallowly emarginate occipital margin and rounded occipital corners. Frons moderately wide, FR/CS 0.375 [0.368, 0.387], frontal lobes as wide as frons, FL/FR 1.01 [1.0, 1.03]. Scape short, SL/CS 0.677 [0.635, 0.707], without dorsal carina basally, smooth and shiny. Head slightly narrower than scutum, MW/CS 1.123 [1.098, 1.149]. Propodeal teeth short, triangular. Dorsal crest of petiolar node in frontal view shallowly emarginate. Petiolar node dorsum steeply rounded backward. Petiole and postpetiole relatively narrow, but postpetiole distinctly transverse, WAIST 0.913 [0.89, 0.95]. General appearance smooth and shiny. Head dorsum, occiput and sides rugulose, ground surface indistinctly microreticulate but shiny. Frons longitudinally rugulose. Mesosoma flat, sides of pronotum visible from above. Scutum and scutellum punctate along sides, in less sculptured specimens smooth and shiny with diffused microreticulation, in more sculptured specimens scutellum in corners with very short rugae and scutum in basal part with thin longitudinal rugae never extending to half length of scutum, in extreme basal 1/3 length of scutum finely striate. Sides of pronotum microreticulate with tendency to form fine longitudinal striation, anepisternum in basal half smooth and shiny in dorsal half with fine longitudinal rugae, katepisternum mostly smooth and shiny only along posterior margin microreticulate and obliquely striate. Whole surface of petiolar node distinctly reticulate. Postpetiole distinctly transverse 1.6-1.7 as wide as long, sides narrowly rounded to subangulate, dorsum of postpetiole smooth to microreticulate, sides granulate. First gastral tergite smooth and shiny. Whole dorsum, including head, covered with short, sparse setae. Ventral surface of head with several short setae, as long as to 1.5 times longer than frontal setae, arising posteriorly to buccal cavity.

Male
(n=3): CL: 0.723 ± 0.009 (0.715-0.732); POC: 0.289 ± 0.018 (0.268-.302); CW: 0.853 ± 0.039 (0.824-0.897); FR: 0.27 ± 0.008 (0.263-0.279); FL: 0.305 ± 0.009 (0.296-0.313); SL: 0.342 ± 0.006 (0.335-0.346); OMD: 0.069 ± 0.012 (0.056-0.078); EL: 0.339 ± 0.018 (0.318-0.352); EH: 0.259 ± 0.009 (0.251-0.268); ML: 2.017 ± 0.026 (1.989-2.04); SPSP: 0.259 ± 0.021 (0.235-0.273); SPL: 0.251 ± 0.026 (0.223-0.274); PEL: 0.346 ± 0.019 (0.324-0.358); NOL: 0.257 ± 0.019 (0.235-0.268); PPL: 0.345 ± 0.017 (0.33-0.363); PEH: 0.322 ± 0.026 (0.302-0.352); NOH: 0.193 ± 0.028 (0.167-0.223); PPH: 0.459 ± 0.024 (0.435-0.483); MW: 1.234 ± 0.08 (1.179-1.324); PEW: 0.372 ± 0.042 (0.324-0.402); PPW: 0.537 ± 0.032 (0.514-0.559); CS: 0.788 ± 0.024 (0.77-0.815); EYE: 0.379 ± 0.009 (0.37-0.387); CL/CW: 0.848 ± 0.028 (0.816-0.868); FR/CS: 0.343 ± 0.005 (0.337-0.348); FL/FR: 1.132 ± 0.051 (1.1-1.19); SL/CS: 0.435 ± 0.013 (0.425-0.45); MW/CS: 1.566 ± 0.052 (1.532-1.626); PEW/PPW: 0.74 ± 0.029 (0.719-0.761); NOH/NOL: 0.751 ± 0.071 (0.709-0.832); NOH/PEL: 0.557 ± 0.058 (0.515-0.623); NOL/PEL: 0.741 ± 0.014 (0.725-0.751); PEH/NOL: 1.255 ± 0.077 (1.168-1.313); PEW/PEH: 1.155 ± 0.089 (1.073-1.249); CS/PEW: 2.132 ± 0.211 (1.994-2.375); CS/PPW: 1.487 ± 0.042 (1.457-1.516); CW/MW: 0.639 ± 0.021 (0.615-0.653).

Whole body dark brown, appendages yellowish. Head with convex sides, slightly rounded occipital margin and widely rounded occipital corners. Scutum distinctly wider than head. Propodeum rounded in profile or with only indistinct angulation in position of propodeal teeth. Dorsal crest of petiolar node with obtuse transversal edge, slightly emarginated in frontal view. Head distinctly sculptured, with radial rugosities around ocelli, circular rugosities around antennal scapi and oblique rugosities on frons, dull. Area between eye and ocelli partly without distinct rugosities only with dull microsculpture. Clypeus on sides with few parallel rugosities, sometimes inner ridges partly converging but never circular, central part of clypeus shiny. Frons partly smooth and shiny. Scutum in anterior part and laterally smooth and shiny, behind Mayrian furrows with more or less developed longitudinally striate stripe. Scutellum mostly smooth and shiny, in some specimens with very fine transverse and oblique striation. Sides of pronotum microreticulate and finely striate. Anepisternum from almost whole smooth and shiny to striate along upper margin, in extreme case posterior half striate, katepisternum mostly smooth and shiny only along upper margin and in posterior corner microreticulate, propodeum microreticulate with longitudinal rugosities, dull. Dorsum of petiolar node microgranulate and microreticulate, dull, postpetiole mostly microreticulate only top partly smooth and shiny. First gastral tergite smooth and shiny. Male genitalia stout, in lateral view only slightly constricted before apex with obtuse inner angle, top moderately long and dense pubescent, dorsal margins of parameres shallowly incised, ventral margins deeply incised before apical hook, top of inner margin of paramere before apical denticle straight, without dentiform plate or lamella extending beyond the sharp edge of paramere.

Type Material
Syntype worker. T. caespitum L., st. galatica, Sant, Angora, (G. de Kerville), Type, CASENT0904820 ; syntype worker. T. caespitum, st., galatica Sant, F. Santschi det. 1920, Angora, Asie Min., (G. de Kerville), Type, Sammlung, Dr. F. Santschi, Kairouan, CASENT0915047.