Tetramorium schaufussii species group


 * Tetramorium cognatum
 * Tetramorium naganum
 * Tetramorium proximum
 * Tetramorium schaufussii
 * Tetramorium sikorae
 * Tetramorium xanthogaster

Based on Bolton 1979 and Hita Garcia and Fisher 2011.

Tetramorium species groups

The T. schaufussii group is endemic to the Malagasy region. With the small number of described species it appears to be relatively small, although the number of undescribed species might be well over 40. This would make this group by far the largest known from the region.

The combination of 11-segmented antennae, unsculptured waist segments, and especially the rounded high nodiform petiolar node render the T. schaufussii group easily recognisable. Only the T. severini group shares this characters, although the general appearance of both groups is fairly different. Species of the T. schaufussii group are generally of comparatively small body size, possess only small to moderate propodeal spines, and a compact shape of the mesosoma whereas T. severini is a large and elongate species with long to very long propodeal spines.

Diagnosis
Eleven-segmented antennae; anterior clypeal margin medially impressed; frontal carinae variable; anterior face of mesosoma only weakly developed and rounding onto the dorsum; margination between lateral and dorsal mesosoma weak; propodeal spines triangular and short to absent; propodeal lobes triangular and short; petiolar node in profile rounded high nodiform, rarely weakly antero-posteriorly compressed, anterior and posterior faces of the node roughly parallel, and all sides rounding smoothly onto the dorsal face without distinct angles, in profile much higher than long, in dorsal view mostly as wide as long; postpetiole roughly rounded; mandibles usually unsculptured, smooth, and shiny; cephalic sculpturation distinct and predominantly longitudinally rugose; mesosoma with distinct sculpturation; waist segments and gaster unsculptured, smooth, and shiny; all dorsal surfaces of head, mesosoma, and waist segments with sparse to abundant long, fine hairs; first gastral tergite usually with scattered to dense, appressed to decumbent pubescence, rarely absent; often pubescence mixed with standing medium-sized pilosity; sting appendage spatulate.