Tetramorium gegaimi

A forest species that, based on specimen collection data (under tree bark, on low vegetation, canopy fogging, etc.), is an arboreal ant.

Identification
Bolton (1980) - Amongst the species of this group which have the gaster darker in colour than the head and alitrunk, as opposed to being of a uniform dark brown, T. gegaimi is most closely related to Tetramorium browni and Tetramorium miserabile, but in both these species the pronotal dorsum is quite regularly longitudinally rugulose whilst in T. gegaimi a weak rugoreticulum is present. Secondly, with the petiole in dorsal view T. gegaimi shows a flat anterior face bordered by a narrow ridge, whereas in T. browni and T. miserabile the anterior face of the petiole is rounded and without a bordering ridge.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda.

Nomenclature

 *  gegaimi. Tetramorium camerunense var. gegaimi Forel, 1916: 421 (w.q.) DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO. Raised to species: Bolton, 1980: 338.

Worker
Bolton (1980) - TL 2.4-2.6, HL 0.60-0.64, HW 0.54-0.58, CI 90-91, SL 0.41-0.45, SI 76-77, PW 0.36-0.38, AL 0.68-0.72 (2 measured).

Mandibles smooth, with scattered pits. Anterior clypeal margin notched or impressed medially; the median clypeal carina running the length of the clypeus. Frontal carinae running back almost to occiput but much weaker in their posterior one-third than anteriorly. Eyes moderate in size, maximum diameter 0.12-0.14, about 0.22-0.24 x HW. With head in full-face view the occipital margin almost transverse, only extremely feebly concave, sides of head shallowly but evenly convex. Dorsum of alitrunk quite evenly convex in profile, showing only a very faint impression at the metanotal groove. Propodeal spines narrow and acute, the metapleural lobes triangular. Petiole in profile as in Fig. 115, in dorsal view the petiole with a narrow transverse crest or ridge bordering the anterior face. Postpetiole globular in dorsal view. Dorsum of head finely longitudinally rugulose, with 8-10 rugulae between the frontal carinae at the level of the eyes; posteriorly the rugulae with some anastomoses and a few feeble cross-meshes, but without a reticulum. Dorsal alitrunk irregularly rugulose, forming a weak reticulum or broken reticulum on the promesonotum. Petiole, postpetiole and gaster unsculptured or at most the petiole with vestigal marks which are almost effaced. All dorsal surfaces of head and body with numerous blunt hairs, but the scapes and dorsal (outer) surfaces of the mid and hind tibiae only with short appressed pubesence. Head and alitrunk light brownish yellow, the gaster distinctly darker, mid to dark brown.

Type Material
Bolton (1980) - Syntype workers, female, ZAIRE: St Gabriel (Kohl) [examined].