Tetramorium matopoense

Known from grasslands, shrubland, and a citrus orchard, this species has been collected in winkler samples and by hand.

Identification
Bolton (1980) - Tetramorium matopoense is easily recognized within the squaminode-group by its smooth pronotum coupled with the lack of hairs on the first gastral tergite. All other known species of the group have pronotal sculpture and gastral pilosity present.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: South Africa, Zimbabwe.

Nomenclature

 *  matopoense. Tetramorium matopoensis Arnold, 1926: 254, fig. 68 (w.) ZIMBABWE. See also: Bolton, 1980: 257.

Worker
Bolton (1980) - TL 2.5-2.6, HL 0.62-0.64, HW 0.56-0.58, CI 90-91, SL 0.44-0.48, SI 79-82, PW 0.42-0.44, AL 0.66-0.68 (2 measured).

Mandibles unsculptured except for scattered pits, anterior margin of clypeus with a shallow median notch. Frontal carinae sinuate and strongly developed. Antennal scrobes broad and shallow. Occipital margin in full-face view flat or at most only very feebly concave medially. Metanotal groove feebly impressed in profile. Propodeal spines strong, acute, broad basally. Petiole squamiform, the dorsal crest narrow but not knife-like, flat in posterior view. Postpetiole slightly antero-posteriorly compressed but by no means squamate, the dorsum evenly convex in profile. Clypeus without transverse rugulae. Dorsum of head feebly longitudinally rugulose, the spaces between them faintly superficially sculptured. Pronotal dorsum absolutely smooth, devoid of sculpture, the remainder of the dorsal alitrunk with weak and disorganized rugular and punctulate sculpture. Pedicel segments and gaster unsculptured, smooth and shining. Dorsal surfaces of head, alitrunk and pedicel segments with scattered long hairs which are quite stout and tend to be blunt apically, the head also with a number of shorter, finer hairs. First gastral tergite without pilosity. Appendages only with fine, appressed pubescence. Colour uniform and brown, the appendages a lighter, more yellowish brown.

Type Material
Bolton (1980) - Syntype workers, RHODESIA: Matopos, Mt Bambata, 4800 ft [1460 m], 5.vi.1918 (G. Arnold) [examined].

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * IZIKO South Africa Museum Collection
 * Samways M. J. 1983. Community structure of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in a series of habitats associated with citrus. Journal of Applied Ecology 20: 833-847.
 * Samways M. J. 1990. Species temporal variability: epigaeic ant assemblages and management for abundance and scarcity. Oecologia 84: 482-490.