Tetramorium galoasanum

Tetramorium galoasanum has been recorded only from the Congo. Nothing is known about the habitat and biology of this species.

Identification
Mbanyana et al. (2018) - Tetramorium galoasanum, Tetramorium clunum and Tetramorium setuliferum are the only species in the Tetramorium solidum group with appressed silvery hairs covering the entire body. The appressed silvery hairs are denser in T. galoasanum than in the other two species.

Bolton (1980) - Tetramorium galoasanum looks similar to T. clunum and T. setuliferum. They are the only species in solidum-group with glittering hairs. Tetramorium galoasanum (HW1.44- 1.58) is larger than T. clunum (HW 0.934-1.090) and T. setuliferum (HW 0.964-1.277). The glittering hairs are much denser in T. galoasanum compared to the other two species and almost overlap each other in places.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Congo.

Nomenclature

 *  galoasanum. Tetramorium setuliferum var. galoasana Santschi, 1910c: 381 (w.q.m.) CONGO. Raised to species: Bolton, 1980: 245.

Worker
Bolton (1980) - TL 5.1-6.0, HL 1.42-1.52, HW 1.44-1.58, CI 101-105, SL 0.96-1.04, SI 66-68, PW 0.90-1.02, AL 1.44-1.56 (6 measured).

Mandibles longitudinally rugose. Median portion of clypeus with an extensive but shallow broadly emarginate anterior margin. Frontal carina absent, the frontal lobes terminated at the level of the posterior end of the antennal fossa. Antennal scrobes absent. Maximum diameter of eye 0-28-0-30, only about 0:18-0:20 x HW, relatively the smallest eyes in the solidum-group. Head massive, always slightly broader than long, CI > 100. Dorsal alitrunk evenly convex in profile, the propodeal spines acute and very stout. Metapleural lobes low and rounded. Petiole in profile strongly nodiform, in dorsal view rhomboid, somewhat broader than long but distinctly broader behind than in front. Postpetiole in dorsal view much broader than long and much broader than the petiole. In profile or in anterior view the tergal portion of the postpetiole overhanging the narrower sternal part at each side, but without developed lateral alar expansions. Subpostpetiolar process distinct in profile, continuous across the ventral surface, not forming a strong prominence on each side. Laterobasal corners of first gastral tergite extended downwards so that in profile the base of the tergo-sternal suture is hidden by the projection of the tergite. Dorsum of head finely longitudinally rugulose, the rugulae quite widely spaced and strongly reticulate-punctate between. Dorsal surfaces of alitrunk, petiole and postpetiole with irregular small rugulae and punctate interspaces. Basal half of first gastral tergite finely punctulate and with minute striolation. Sculpture everywhere partially concealed by the pilosity. Dorsal surfaces of head, alitrunk, pedicel segments and first gastral tergite densely clothed with appressed glittering silvery hairs which are directed towards the midline except on the base of the first tergite; similar hairs are present on the scapes and tibiae. Dorsal surfaces of body without erect hairs except for the clypeus and gastral segments behind the first. Ammochaete hairs present on ventral surface of head. Colour uniform red.

Type Material
Mbanyana et al (2018) - Syntypes Republic of Congo: Brazzaville, MʼBounion, Mindouga, Comba-Ibre, Aug. 1908, Weiss leg. (: CASENT0915015; : RMCAENT000017787; (not examined); : CASENT0901178.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Bolton B. 1980. The ant tribe Tetramoriini (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). The genus Tetramorium Mayr in the Ethiopian zoogeographical region. Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History). Entomology 40: 193-384.
 * Mbanyana N. 2013. Taxonomy, phylogeny and biogeography of seed-harvesting ants in the Tetramorium solidum-group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Masters of Science in the Department of Botany and Zoology at Stellenbosch University 115 pages.
 * Santschi F. 1910. Formicides nouveaux ou peu connus du Congo français. Annales de la Société Entomologique de France 78: 349-400.
 * Wheeler W. M. 1922. Ants of the American Museum Congo expedition. A contribution to the myrmecology of Africa. VIII. A synonymic list of the ants of the Ethiopian region. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 45: 711-1004