Tetramorium tyrion

Tetramorium tyrion is only known from the holotype from the type locality Beroboka, which is situated close to the Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park in Central Western Madagascar. Unfortunately, very little is known about the biology of T. tyrion or the habitat characteristics of its type locality. (Hita Garcia and Fisher 2012)

Identification
A member of the Tetramorium tsingy-species group

Tetramorium tyrion is not likely to be confused with the other species of the group due to its unique character combination of short erect pilosity on the first gastral tergite and very minute propodeal teeth. (Hita Garcia and Fisher 2012)


 * Propodeum with minute teeth; first gastral tergite with short, fine erect pilosity (Fig. 156) . . . . . Tetramorium tyrion


 * Propodeum with moderately short spines; first gastral tergite with short and strongly appressed pubescence (Fig. 157) . . . . . Tetramorium tsingy

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Malagasy Region: Madagascar.

Nomenclature

 *  tyrion. Tetramorium tyrion Hita Garcia & Fisher, 2012: 115, figs. 156, 161-163 (w.) MADAGASCAR.

Worker
HL 0.65; HW 0.63; SL 0.46; EL 0.14; PH 0.31; PW 0.42; WL 0.77; PSL 0.07; PTL 0.19; PTH 0.24; PTW 0.16; PPL 0.21; PPH 0.25; PPW 0.25; CI 96; SI 74; OI 22; DMI 55; LMI 40; PSLI 10; PeNI 38; LPeI 77; DPeI 86; PpNI 60; LPpI 84; DPpI 119; PPI 156 (one measured).

Head weakly longer than wide (CI 96). Anterior clypeal margin with distinct median impression. Frontal carinae moderately developed and fine, ending shortly after level of posterior eye margin. Antennal scrobes absent. Antennal scapes short, not reaching posterior head margin (SI 74). Eyes comparatively small (OI 22). Mesosomal outline in profile flat, weakly marginate from lateral to dorsal mesosoma, promesonotal suture and metanotal groove absent; mesosoma comparatively stout (LMI 40). Propodeum armed with minute broadly triangular teeth (PSLI 10). Propodeal lobes well-developed and broadly triangular, much more voluminous than propodeal teeth. Petiolar node in profile rectangular nodiform, approximately 1.3 times higher than long (LPeI 77), anterior and posterior faces approximately parallel, anterodorsal and posterodorsal angles at about same height, dorsum not tapering backwards posteriorly; node in dorsal view 1.3 times longer than wide (DPeI 86). Postpetiole in profile rounded, approximately 1.2 times higher than long (LPpI 84), in dorsal view 1.2 times wider than long (DPpI 119). Postpetiole in profile a bit more voluminous than petiolar node, in dorsal view approximately 1.5 times wider than petiolar node (PPI 156). Mandibles unsculptured, smooth and shiny; clypeus with strong median longitudinal ruga and one very weak rugula at each side; cephalic dorsum between frontal carinae with one moderately developed longitudinal median ruga, area between median ruga and frontal carinae almost unsculptured, traces of rugulae present anteriorly, median ruga of same length as frontal carinae; lateral head mostly unsculptured with weak irregular longitudinal rugulae anteriorly. Ground sculpture faint. Mesosoma laterally with irregular rugae or rugulae, dorsally mainly unsculptured with traces of rugulae only, petiole laterally weakly sculptured, dorsally unsculptured, postpetiole and gaster unsculptured, smooth and shining. All dorsal surfaces of body with short, fine erect pilosity. Whole body of uniform brownish colour.

Type Material
Holotype worker, MADAGASCAR, Tulear, Bereboka, 60 km N.E. Morondava, collection code B.M. 1983-201, 18-23.V.1983 (J.S. Noyes & M.C. Day) (: CASENT0249085).

Etymology
The name of this unique and very characteristic new species is dedicated to the fictional character "Tyrion Lannister" from George R. R. Martin's epic fantasy series "A Song of Ice and Fire". The species epithet is a noun in apposition, and thus invariant.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Garcia H. F. and B. L. Fisher. 2012. The ant genus Tetramorium Mayr (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the Malagasy regiontaxonomy of the T. bessonii, T. bonibony, T. dysalum, T. marginatum, T. tsingy, and T. weitzeckeri species groups. Zootaxa 3365: 1-123