Tetramorium sjostedti

Nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
Bolton (1977) - One of the larger Tetramorium species, sjostedti is approached in size only by Tetramorium laticephalum in the Australian fauna but is easily separated from that species by the characters given in the key. Apparently this rather spectacular species remains known only from the original collection.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Nomenclature

 *  sjostedti. Tetramorium (Xiphomyrmex) sjostedti Forel, 1915b: 48 (w.) AUSTRALIA. Combination in Xiphomyrmex: Viehmeyer, 1925a: 28; in Tetramorium: Bolton, 1977: 140.

Worker
Bolton (1977) - Lectotype. TL 5.6, HL 1.42, HW 1.34, CI 94, SL 0.92, SI 69, PW 0.94, AL 1.54.

Mandibles longitudinally striate, the anterior clypeal margin without a median notch. Eyes large, maximum diameter c. 0·30 (about 0.22 x HW), situated slightly behind the midlength of the sides. Frontal carinae strongly developed to just behind the level of the eyes, then fading into the surrounding sculpture. Scapes relatively short and stout, dorsoventrally compressed basally so that in dorsal view the scapes are distinctly broader basally than at their midlength and the anterior margin turns through a sharp angle to meet the basal constriction (Fig. 73). Occipital margin of head strongly impressed. Pronotum and mesonotum marginate laterally, propodeum not marginate. Metanotal groove completely absent, the dorsal alitrunk evenly convex in profile. Anterior pronotal corners acute in dorsal view. Propodeal spines long, stout and acute, the metapleural lobes elongate, acute and directed upwards (Fig. 74). Petiole in profile with the tergal portion higher than the dorsal length, in dorsal view the node very slightly broader than long, broader behind than in front. Entire dorsum of head and space between eyes and frontal carinae regularly and strongly longitudinally rugose, the spaces between the rugae densely reticulate-punctate. Sides and dorsum of alitrunk similarly sculptured, the declivity of the propodeum transversely rugose. Petiole and postpetiole coarsely but less regularly rugose, with some reticulation. Basal half of the first gastral tergite finely longitudinally striate, the spaces between the striae densely punctulate. Long stout hairs present on all dorsal surfaces of head and body.

Type Material
Bolton (1977) - Lectotype worker, Australia: N. Western Australia, Kimberley Distr. (Mjoberg), here designated [examined].



References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Bolton B. 1977. The ant tribe Tetramoriini (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). The genus Tetramorium Mayr in the Oriental and Indo-Australian regions, and in Australia. Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History). Entomology 36:67-151.
 * Fisher J., L. Beames, B. J. Rangers, N. N. Rangers, J. Majer, and B. Heterick. 2014. Using ants to monitor changes within and surrounding the endangered Monsoon Vine Thickets of the tropical Dampier Peninsula, north Western Australia. Forest Ecology and Management 318: 7890.
 * Gunawardene N.R. and J.D. Majer. 2004. Ants of the southern Carnarvon Basin, Western Australia: an investigation into patterns of association. Records of the Western Australian Museum 22: 219-239.
 * Heterick B. E., B. Durrant, and N. R. Gunawardene. 2010. The ant fauna of the Pilbara Bioregion, Western Australia. Records of the Western Australian Museum, Supplement 78: 157-167.
 * Taylor R. W. 1987. A checklist of the ants of Australia, New Caledonia and New Zealand (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization) Division of Entomology Report 41: 1-92.