Tetramorium turneri

A few collections of this species were found in Radiata pine forest pitfall-traps.

Identification
Bolton (1977) - T. turneri, the first tetramoriine to be described from Australia, is apparently more closely related to Tetramorium eleates of Malaysia and Indonesia than to any other species of the tortuosum-group occurring in Australia itself.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Nomenclature

 *  turneri. Tetramorium (Xiphomyrmex) turneri Forel, 1902h: 447 (w.q.) AUSTRALIA. Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1954d: 451 (l.). Combination in Xiphomyrmex: Viehmeyer, 1925a: 29; in Tetramorium: Bolton, 1977: 145.

Worker
Bolton (1977) - TL 3.2-3.7, HL 0.76-0.86, HW 0.70-0.80, CI 90-95, SL 0.56-0.62, SI 75-82, PW 0.54-0.62, AL 0.90-1.02 (15 measured).

Mandibles striate; anterior clypeal margin without a median notch or impression. Median clypeal carina strong, running to the anterior margin. Frontal carinae extending back almost to the occipital corners but weakening behind the level of the eye and posteriorly not more strongly defined than the rugae occurring in that area. Antennal scrobes shallow and weak, not capable of containing the scape. Eyes situated very slightly in front of midlength of sides of head, of moderate size, maximum diameter c. 0.15-0.20. Metanotal groove feebly developed, usually very faintly impressed in profile but rarely quite distinct. In one series (Ravenshoe) some workers have a small triangular prominence mediodorsally on the anterior portion of the propodeum but this is absent in other workers of the same series and in other series examined. Propodeal spines stout and acute, metapleural lobes elongate-triangular and acute, narrow. Petiole node in dorsal view usually slightly longer than broad, the node narrow in front and much broader behind, with slightly convex sides (Fig. 65); post petiole broader than long. Head longitudinally rugulose, the individual components irregular and spaced out, with few or no anastomoses or cross-meshes, the spaces smooth and shining or with a very faint superficial shagreening or vestigial puncturation. Dorsal alitrunk irregularly and shallowly spaced-rugulose with numerous cross-meshes, the spaces even more feebly sculptured than on the head, very shining. Sides of petiole and postpetiole with some rugosity but the dorsal surfaces either completely smooth or at least with a smooth and highly polished median longitudinal strip. Gaster unsculptured. All dorsal surfaces with numerous long, fine, acute hairs, which are also present on the ventral surfaces of the femora. Colour uniform dark brown or with the gaster a lighter yellowish brown; appendages light to pale brown.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Bolton, B. "The ant tribe Tetramoriini (Hymenoptera: Formicinae. The genus Tetramorium Mayr in the Oriental and Indo-Australian regions and in Australia." Bulletin of the British Museum (National History): Entomology series 36, no. 2 (1977): 68-151.
 * Osunkoya O. O., C. Polo, and A. N. Andersen. 2011. Invasion impacts on biodiversity: response of ant communities to infestation by cat's claw creeper vine, Macfadyena unguis-cati (Bignoniaceae) in subtropical Australia. Biol. Invasions 13: 2289-2302.