Key to Afrotropical Tetramorium solidum species group (Outdated)

This worker key is based on Bolton (1980)

A contemporary key can be found here: Key to Afrotropical Tetramorium solidum species group.

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 * Tetramorium
 * ''Afrotropical Tetramorium species groups
 *  Key to Afrotropical Tetramorium species groups
 * Tetramorium solidum species group diagnosis

1

 * Abundant coat of short, stout erect hairs on all dorsal surfaces of the head and body, and also on the legs . . . . . 3 (peringueyi) species complex
 * Pedicel and gaster without erect hairs . . . . . 2

2
return to couplet #1
 * Some or all of the dorsal surfaces of head and body with short, broad, blunted, very flattened and strongly appressed glittering silvery hairs . . . . . 4 (setuliferum) species complex
 * Dorsal surfaces of head and body without such hairs, only sparse simple appressed pubescence present . . . . . 6 (setuliferum) species complex

3
return to couplet #1
 * Antennal scapes with erect hairs similar to those on hind tibiae ..... Tetramorium peringueyi
 * Antennal scapes only with pubescence, without erect hairs similar to those on hind tibiae ..... Tetramorium dichroum

4
return to couplet #2
 * Appressed silvery hairs long dense and strap-like, overlapping one another especially on vertex and alitrunk, very conspicuous. Sculpture of first gastral tergite mostly obscured by size and density of the hairs. CI 101 - 105 ..... Tetramorium galoasanum
 * Appressed hairs sparse and spaced out on dorsal surfaces, not strap-like or overlapping. Sculpture of first gastral tergite clearly visible basally, not obscured by the hairs. CI 94-100 . . . . . 5

5
return to couplet #4
 * With the gaster in profile the base of the first tergite forming a thick, laterally projecting downcurved flange which overhangs the tergosternal suture basally and partially obscures the base of the sternite. First gastral tergite sculptured basally but this is absent from the posterior half of the sclerite. Red-brown or red species ..... Tetramorium setuliferum
 * With the gaster in profile the base of the first tergite not projecting as above, the tergosternal suture and base of the sternite not concealed. First gastral tergite usually finely sculptured from base to apex. Blackish brown to black species ..... Tetramorium clunum

6
return to couplet #2
 * With the alitrunk in profile the dorsum without standing hairs of any description. Usually hairs are absent but rarely appressed or flattened stud-like hairs are present . . . . . 7
 * With the alitrunk in profile the dorsum with standing hairs which are longer than broad. May be reduced to 1- 3 pairs (beware abraded specimens) ..... Tetramorium solidum

7
return to couplet #6
 * Propodeum unarmed, angulate or with a pair of minute tubercles ..... Tetramorium jordani
 * Propodeum bispinose or with a pair of elongate sharp triangular teeth . . . . . 8

8
return to couplet #7
 * Postpetiole extremely broadened by lateral alar appendages so that in dorsal view it is almost as broad as the pronotum. Petiole node in dorsal view very much broader than long ..... Tetramorium grandinode
 * Postpetiole much narrower than pronotum in dorsal view, globular or subglobular, without lateral alar appendages or only with vestiges of such. Petiole node in dorsal view varying from as broad as long to slightly broader than long . . . . . 9

9
return to couplet #8
 * Orange-brown to brick-red species . . . . . 10
 * Black or blackish brown species . . . . . 11

10
return to couplet #9
 * Propodeal spines short and broad, triangular and acute, the basal width of each spine greater than its length ..... Tetramorium glabratum
 * Propodeal spines long, each spine distinctly much longer than its basal width ..... Tetramorium rufescens

11
return to couplet #9
 * Anterior clypeal margin with an extensive broad, deeply concave median emargination which occupies about half the width of the margin ..... Tetramorium signatum
 * Anterior clypeal margin with a shallow narrow median notch or indentation, scarcely visible in some specimens . . . . . 12

12
return to couplet #11
 * Head in full-face view as broad or broader in front of eyes than behind (Fig. 21). Costulate sculpture of dorsal head fine, reaching to occipital margin. Eyes larger, 0.29-0.31 x HW; CI 84-89; HW < 1.00 ..... Tetramorium pogonion
 * Head in full-face view narrowing anteriorly, narrower in front of eyes than behind. Costulate sculpture of dorsal head very feeble, fading out behind level of eyes and replaced by fine superficial punctulation. Eyes smaller, 0.24-0.26 x HW; CI 94-97; HW > 1.20 ..... Tetramorium barbigerum