Tetramorium duncani

Nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
Mbanyana et al (2018) - Morphologically, T. duncani is similar to Tetramorium pogonion, Tetramorium rufescens and Tetramorium signatum, but can be distinguished from these species by the acute angle between the dorsum of the petiole and the posterior face when viewed laterally.

Distribution
Namibia and South Africa (Northern Cape).

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

Habitat
Known from Namibian Savanna Woodlands and Kalahari Xeric Savanna.

Nomenclature

 *  duncani. Tetramorium duncani Mbanyana, Robertson & Hita Garcia, 2018: 21, figs. 3N, 10, 24 (w.) SOUTH AFRICA.

Worker
(N = 5) HL 1.033–1.266 (1.132); HW 1.033–1.266 (1.116); SL 0.723–0.865 (0.798); EL 0.297–0.362 (0.320); PH 0.374–0.482 (0.452); PW 0.672–0.840 (0.716); WL 1.072–1.382 (1.168); PSL 0.148–0.187 (0.163); PTH 0.325–0.433 (0.358); PTL 0.297–0.336 (0.318); PTW 0.323–0.413 (0.364); PPH 0.465–0.607 (0.519); PPL 0.284–0.336 (0.310); PPW 0.413–0.555 (0.475); OI 27–31 (29); CI 97–100 (99); SI 68–75 (71); DMI 59–63 (61); LMI 35–44 (39); PSLI 12–17 (15); PeNI 48–54 (51); LPeI 78–96 (89); DPeI 104–123 (115); PpNI 62–69 (66); LPpI 54–68 (60); DPpI 139–168 (153); PPI 128–134 (130).

Holotype. Mandibles with fine longitudinal striations. Anterior clypeal margin with conspicuous, semicircular indentation. Frontal carinae fading out before reaching back of posterior eye margin. Eyes with 16 ommatidia in longest row. Propodeum armed with pair of long spines (PSLI 12–17). Metapleural lobes low, rounded. Peduncle lacking subpetiolar process. Petiolar node in profile nodiform, with anterior face rounding onto dorsum and dorsum forming acute angle with posterior face. Postpetiolar node low and rounded. Dorsal surfaces of head with longitudinal striations, spaces between them with superficial ground sculpture. Dorsum of mesosoma with short longitudinal striations, with shiny superficial ground sculpture in between them. Petiolar and postpetiolar nodes with fine reticulate sculpture overlain by few irregular striations. Gastral tergite with fine, superficial reticulate pattern. Dorsum of head with four long erect pairs of hairs. Ventral surface of head with strongly developed psammophore. Remaining dorsum of the body without any standing hairs. Colour blackish brown.

Type Material
Holotype. Namibia: worker, Withuis, 11 km N of Grunau on B1, 27°36.447′ S, 18°23.920′ E, 1243 m a.s.l., 3 Apr. 2011, N. Mbanyana and H.G. Robertson leg. (SAM-HYM-C027003). Paratypes (9 pinned workers). Namibia: Withuis, 11 km N of Grunau on B1, 27°36.447′ S and 18°23.920′ E, 1243 m a.s.l., 3 Apr. 2011, N. Mbanyana and H.G. Robertson leg. (SAM-HYM-C027003); Withuis, 11 km N of Grunau on B1, 27°36.504′ S and 18°23.823′ E, 1241 m a.s.l., 2 Apr. 2011, N. Mbanyana and H.G. Robertson leg. (SAM-HYM-C027004); Withuis, 11 km N of Grunau on B1, 27°36.447′ S and 18°23.920′ E, 1243 m a.s.l., 3 Apr. 2011, N. Mbanyana and H.G. Robertson leg. (SAM-HYM-C027010); Kyffhauser, 24°28.708′ S and 16°20.148′ E, 1381 m a.s.l., 6 Apr. 2011, N. Mbanyana and H.G. Robertson leg. (SAM-HYM-C027013); ca 132 km from Mariental on M29, 25°16.795′ S, 18°37.635′ E,18 Apr. 2011, N. Mbanyana and H.G. Robertson leg. (SAM-HYM-C027001).

Etymology
Named after Duncan Robertson, who assisted with field work, including photography of ants.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Mbanyana N., F. Hita Garcia, H. G. Robertson, and J. J. Le Roux. 2018. A taxonomic revision of seed harvester ants of the Tetramorium solidum group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in southern Africa. European Journal of Taxonomy 454: 1-59.