Technomyrmex voeltzkowi

The species appears to be wholly terrestrial as samples have only been recorded from ground nests and from under rocks. Individual workers have been collected in pitfall traps and in sifted litter from dry forests. (Bolton 2007)

Identification
Bolton (2007) - A member of the Technomyrmex textor group. For the present all samples that answer this description are being retained as a single species, though I suspect that a close complex of sibling forms may eventually be analysed. Most of the material examined is represented only by individuals or short series of workers, but these are confusing. In some series all appear to be roughly the same size but in others the workers are distinctly polymorphic. Colour is very variable but does not appear linked to any other character that can be isolated. Thus, for the present, any specimen that fits the characters in the key and matches the description is referred to voeltzkowi.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Botswana, Comoros, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, United Republic of Tanzania, Zimbabwe. Malagasy Region: Madagascar.

Nomenclature

 *  voeltzkowi. Tapinoma voeltzkowi Forel, 1907g: 84 (w.m.) KENYA. Combination in Technomyrmex: Shattuck, 1992c: 161. Senior synonym of rhodesiae: Bolton, 2007a: 41.
 * rhodesiae. Tapinoma voeltzkowi var. rhodesiae Forel, 1913a: 139 (w.) ZIMBABWE. Combination in Technomyrmex: Shattuck, 1992c: 161. Junior synonym of voeltzkowi: Bolton, 2007a: 41.

Worker
Bolton (2007) - TL 2.7 - 3.7, HL 0.66 - 0.92, HW 0.54 - 0.87, SL 0.63 - 0.80, PW 0.36 - 0.54, WL 0.82 - 1.12 (15 measured). Indices: CI 83 95, SI 92 - 116, 0126-31 EPI 80 - 100, DTI 120 - 140.

Dorsum of head behind clypeus entirely lacks setae. Anterior clipeal margin with a long, narrow, U-shaped median incision that is at least as long as wide; inner margin of incision meets anterior clypeal margin in a distinct angle at each side. Posterior margin of head in full-face view indented medially to broadly emarginate; depth of emargination usually increases with overall size but in some large workers extent of emargination is still small. Sides of head convex, more strongly so in larger workers than in smaller. Outer margins of eyes conspicuously fail to break the outline of the sides. Allometric variation present: as worker size increases CI increases and SI decreases; the largest workers have the broadest heads and shortest scapes. Dorsum of mesosoma and declivity of propodeum entirely lack setae. Mesonotal dorsum in profile more steeply sloped in its posterior half than anteriorly; metanotal groove weakly impressed. Gastral tergites 1 - 3 without setae; fourth gastral tergite with 1 - 2 pairs of setae present. Head, mesosoma, petiole and gaster light brown to blackish brown, sometimes the gaster a little darker than the mesosoma. Coxae, tibiae and tarsi lighter than mesosoma; femora usually darker than tibiae and tarsi.

Type Material
Bolton (2007) - LECTOTYPE worker (by present designation), Kenya; Malindi (Voeltzkow) (, see note).

T. voeltzkowi was described from two workers which on analysis are seen to belong to different species. The first, designated as lectotype above, matches the original description, especially as regards the obvious clypeal incision and lack of setae. The second, from W. Pemba [probably now Pemba Prov., Tanzanial, Fundu 1. (Voeltzkow) does not match the original description. This specimen is a worker of Technomyrmex pallipes, and is hereby excluded from the type-series and from further consideration of voeltzkowi.