Tetramorium tenuicrine

Reported from rainforest habitat.

Identification
Bolton (1977) - This species, known only from New Caledonia and the Fiji Islands, represents the furthest easterly penetration of Tetramorium species with 11 antennal segments. It is not easy to relate this form to any other II-segmented species but its lack of propodeal armament and very reduced sculpture make it easily identifiable.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: New Caledonia. Indo-Australian Region: Fiji.

Nomenclature

 *  tenuicrine. Xiphomyrmex tenuicrinis Emery, 1914f: 416 (w.) NEW CALEDONIA. Combination in Tetramorium: Bolton, 1977: 88.

Worker
Bolton (1977) - TL 3.40-3.80, HL 0.74-0.80, HW 0.64-0.74, CI 83-90, SL 0.58-0.68, SI 85-92, PW 0.52-0.58, AL 0.88-1.02 (20 measured).

Mandibles feebly striate to virtually smooth. Frontal carinae extending well beyond the level of the posterior margins of the eyes, forming the upper boundary of the feebly developed scrobe which is scarcely more than a shallow groove, not capable of containing the entire scape. Propodeum rounded to bluntly angulate but without spines or teeth, the metapleural lobes triangular and well developed. Node of petiole in profile longer than high, the anterior and dorsal surfaces confluent through a gentle curve (Fig. 13). In dorsal view both pedicel segments subglobular. Dorsum of head with median longitudinal carina present and with one or two short rugulae on each side of it, otherwise unsculptured. Promesonotal dorsum unsculptured or with a few very faint longitudinal rugulae separated by wide shining areas; propodeal dorsum usually with a few very fine rugulae. Pedicel segments and gaster smooth and shining, unsculptured. All dorsal surfaces of head and body with numerous long, fine hairs. Colour very variable. In series examined the colour has varied from entirely clear pale yellow to entirely blackish brown, the most common intermediate pattern being head and alitrunk (and usually pedicel) blackish brown, gaster and appendages yellow. Forms also occur in which the gaster is darker in shade than the alitrunk.

Type Material
Bolton (1977) - Holotype worker, New Caledonia: Vallee de la Ngoi (Sarasin & Roux) (location of type not known).