Tetramorium saudiae

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Saudi Arabia.

Nomenclature

 *  saudiae. Leptothorax saudiae Collingwood & Agosti, 1996: 325, fig. 9 (w.) SAUDI ARABIA.
 * Combination in Temnothorax: Bolton, 2003: 271.
 * Combination in Tetramorium: Sharaf et al., 2017: 13.

Taxonomic Notes
Sharaf et al. (2017) - Collingwood & Agosti (1996) described Leptothorax saudiae based upon a single specimen deposited in WMLC. The specimen in WMLC with a red label [Saudi Arabien, Al Muraywah, 28 46N, 45 00E, 27–28 Oct. 86, 420 m, W. Buttiker] is not specified as the holotype, yet the label information matches the original description exactly. This specimen, therefore, definitely represents the Leptothorax saudiae holotype. However, contrary to Bolton's transferral of the species to Temnothorax (Bolton 2003), this specimen clearly belongs to the genus Tetramorium based on the following observations: it possesses lateral portions of clypeus that are raised into sharp ridges or shield walls in front of the antennal insertions and the propodeal spiracles are low on the sides and distinctly behind the midlength of the sclerite. This taxon is herein formally transferred to the genus Tetramorium.