Tetramorium sitefrum

Identification
Bolton (1980) - Tetramorium sitefrum is the only species of the squaminode-group known to occur in West Africa and as such should not be confused with any other species. Its closest relative is Tetramorium repentinum of Zimbabwe and a discussion of both species is given there.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Ghana.

Nomenclature

 *  sitefrum. Tetramorium sitefrum Bolton, 1980: 259 (w.) GHANA.

Worker
TL 3.1, HL 0.77, HW 0.76, CI 99, SL 0.54, SI 71, PW 0.54, AL 0.82. Paratypes (2 measured): TL 3.3-3.6, HL 0.80-0.82, HW 0.81-0.84, CI 101-102, SL 0.56-0.59, SI 69-70, PW 0.57-0.59, AL 0.86-0.88. The eyes have maximum diameter c. 0.20, about 0.24-0.25x HW.

Mandibles smooth and highly polished. Anterior clypeal margin entire, without a notch or impression, the margin itself transverse and feebly sinuate medially, with a low anteromedian prominence (better developed in paratypes than in holotype). Frontal carinae strongly divergent posteriorly, directed towards the occipital corners. Antennal scrobes strongly developed, conspicuous. Eyes situated well back on sides of head, distinctly behind the midlength of the sides close to the occipital corners. Maximum diameter of eye 0.18, about 0.24 HW. With the head in full-face view the occipital margin more or less straight, the Occipital corners rounded. Head broadest behind the eyes, narrowing slightly anteriorly, the head itself varying from very nearly as broad as long to slightly broader than long (CI in all specimens 99-102). Posterior margin of clypeus very feebly marked, not interrupting the sculpture. Pronotal angles narrowly rounded in dorsal view. In profile the metanotal groove shallowly impressed, the propodeal dorsum forming a low peak behind the groove and thereafter sloping down to the long, stout propodeal spines. Metapleural lobes low and short-triangular. Petiole squamiform, very high and narrow in profile and very much broader than long in dorsal view. Postpetiole in profile broadly rounded above; the sternum forming a freely projecting lobate process on each side which is overhung by the lateral projections of the more massively developed tergum. In dorsal view the postpetiole broadly roughly ovate, much broader than long and broader than the petiole. Dorsum of head sharply and regularly longitudinally strongly rugulose, the constituents of the sculpture running unbroken from clypeus to occiput, diverging posteriorly but without cross-meshes anywhere. Spaces between the rugulae smooth and shining. Sides of head similarly but more finely sculptured. Dorsal alitrunk coarsely reticulate-rugose, the meshes irregular. Dorsum of postpetiole punctulate or shagreened. Petiole and gaster unsculptured but with the faintest traces of shagreening visible on the posterior surface of the petiole and close to the gastral base. All dorsal surfaces of head and body with numerous hairs, densest on the first gastral tergite where the longest hairs are about equal to the vertical diameter of the eye or slightly longer. Longest hairs on pronotum distinctly longer than those on the gaster. Scapes and tibiae only with appressed very short pubescence. Colour uniform dark brown, the gaster blackish brown.

Paratypes: As holotype, with the variation in anterior clypeal margin noted above and slightly larger than the holotype.

Type Material
Holotype worker, Ghana: Tafo, 17.ix.1970, under rotten cocoa pod on ground (B. Bolton). Paratypes. Ghana: | worker with same data as holotype; 1 worker, Mampong, 27.vii.1970 (P. Room) (BMNH; ).