Tetramorium laticephalum

Nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
Bolton (1977) - This large and distinctive species is the only one known from Australia to the present to combine the characters of hairlessness, smooth mandibles, lack of antennal scrobes and very broad head with the 11-segmented antennal condition. It is thus very well characterized and should not be confused with any other species known. Large individuals of Tetramorium impressum and Tetramorium sjostedti approach the size of laticephalum but these have hairs, striate mandibles and generally a head with CI 100 or less.

As only a single specimen of laticephalum is known, too much emphasis should not be placed on the difference in alitrunk and gastral colour, which is known to vary in other species (Tetramorium turneri, Tetramorium confusum), nor in the presence of gastral puncturation which is variable amongst different series of at least one other species (impressum).

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Nomenclature

 *  laticephalum. Tetramorium laticephalum Bolton, 1977: 139 (w.) AUSTRALIA.

Worker
Holotype. TL 4.8, HL 1.26, HW 1.30, CI 103, SL 0.72, SI 55, PW 0.88, AL 1.32.

Mandibles smooth and very shining, with scattered minute pits. Anterior clypeal margin with a conspicuous deep notch or impression medially. Frontal carinae not more strongly developed than other sculpture and indistinguishable from it. Antennal scrobes absent. Maximum diameter of eye c. 0.26, moderate for so large a species in that ocular diameter is only 0.20 x HW. Head slightly broader than long, CI > 100. Pronotal corners angular in dorsal view. Propodeal spines stout and acute, the metapleural lobes short-spiniform, about half the length of the propodeal spines. Petiole in dorsal view slightly broader than long and slightly broader behind than in front. Postpetiole distinctly broader than long, in dorsal view roughly hemispherical in outline. In profile the petiole blocky with the surfaces well separated by near right-angles, the post petiole broadly rounded. Dorsum of head densely and quite finely longitudinally rugulose, the spaces between the rugulae superficially punctulate. Dorsum of alitrunk densely rugose, the rugosity disorganized and the spaces with faint superficial punctures. Petiole and postpetiole rugose, the spaces densely and distinctly punctulate. Basal half of first gastral tergite densely but finely reticulate-punctate. Dorsal surfaces of head, alitrunk, pedicel and first gastral tergite without hairs. Head, alitrunk and pedicel blackish brown to black; gaster, legs, antennae and mandibles clear yellow.

Type Material
Holotype worker, Australia: Victoria, Patho, l.xi.1943 (H. A. Potter).



References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Taylor R. W. 1987. A checklist of the ants of Australia, New Caledonia and New Zealand (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization) Division of Entomology Report 41: 1-92.