Tetramorium sepositum

This species is one of the two known hosts of the inquiline Tetramorium microgyna, the other host being Tetramorium sericeiventre.

Identification
Bolton (1980) - Within the sericeiventre-complex of this group four species are relatively densely hairy. These are Tetramorium asetyum, Tetramorium khyarum, Tetramorium petersi and T. sepositum. All of them have hairs present on the propodeal dorsum and most of them have hairs projecting from the sides of the head behind the eyes (not khyarum). In T. petersi and T. asetyum the projecting pilosity is very dense, with 10 or more hairs on each side behind the eyes, whilst in the remaining pair the number is 0-3 on each side. The separation of T. khyarum from T. sepositum is based on the possession in the former of only a single pair of hairs on the propodeal dorsum, situated above the spiracle or slightly anterior to this, whilst in T. sepositum several pairs of hairs are present. Secondly, the body pilosity in T. sepositum is elongate, fine and acute apically whilst in T. khyarum the hairs are usually stouter, slightly shorter and blunted apically.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Mozambique, Zimbabwe.

Nomenclature

 *  sepositum. Tetramorium gladstonei var. seposita Santschi, 1918b: 131 (w.) ZIMBABWE. Raised to species: Bolton, 1980: 331.

Worker
Bolton (1980) - TL 3.8-4.4, HL 0.84-0.98, HW 0.68-0.80, CI 80-85, SL 0.74-0.86, SI 105-117, PW 0.52-0.64, AL 1.04-1.30 (20 measured).

Mandibles strongly longitudinally striate. Anterior clypeal margin entire; median clypeal carina sharply defined. Frontal carinae short and only weakly developed, usually ending at about the level of the posterior margins of the eyes but sometimes fading out before reaching that level. Rarely the frontal carinae extend behind the level of the eyes and merge into the reticulate-rugose sculpture of the posterior head. Antennal scrobes absent. Scapes long SI always > 100. Eyes of moderate size, maximum diameter 0.18-0.20, about 0.24-0.26 x HW. Propodeum in profile armed with a pair of elongate acute spines which are paralleled below by the strongly developed metapleural lobes which are elongate-triangular, almost as long as the propodeal spines and running roughly parallel with them. Petiole in profile with the node elongate nodiform; in dorsal view usually longer than broad but sometimes only slightly so. Dorsum of head longitudinally rugulose, the occipital region with a fine rugoreticulum. Ground-sculpture reduced on dorsum of head to a faint superficial punctulation or shagreening, so that the surfaces between rugulae are quite glossy. Pronotal dorsum with strong longitudinal rugae which in some are continued onto the mesonotum, but in most cases mesonotal rugae are much feebler than pronotal. Propodeal dorsum irregularly rugose but in some samples a transverse component predominates. Ground-sculpture of dorsal alitrunk feeble, sometimes almost entirely effaced but generally faintly present. Petiole and postpetiole rugose. Basal quarter to one-third of first gastral tergite sculptured with fine striolae and very fine punctulation or shagreening, very faint in some specimens. Forms with the gaster extensively sculptured remain unknown but probably occur as variation in gastral sculpture is extreme in this group. All dorsal surfaces of head and body with numerous elongate standing hairs which are fine and acute apically. Sides of head behind eyes with one to three freely projecting long fine hairs on each side. Scapes and tibiae only with short decumbent to appressed pubescence. Colour dull red or reddish brown, the gaster darker, commonly blackish brown but often with a reddish tint.

Type Material
Bolton (1980) - Syntype workers, RHODESIA: Victoria Falls (G. Arnold) [examined].

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * IZIKO South Africa Museum Collection
 * Kouakou L. M. M., K. Yeo, K. Ouattara, W. Dekoninck, T. Delsinne, and S. Konate. 2018. Investigating urban ant community (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in port cities and in major towns along the border in Côte d’Ivoire: a rapid assessment to detect potential introduced invasive ant species. Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences 36(1): 5793-5811.
 * Kouakou L. M. M., W. Dekoninck, M. Kone, T. Delsinne, K. Yeo, K. Ouattara, and S. Konate. 2018. Diversity and distribution of introduced and potentially invasive ant species from the three main ecoregions of Côte d’Ivoire (West Africa). Belgian Journal of Zoology 148 (1): 83–103.
 * Parr C. L., H. G. Robertson, H. C. Biggs, and S. L. Chown. 2004. Response of African savanna ants to long-term fire regimes. Journal of Applied Ecology 41: 630-642.
 * Prins A. J. 1964. Revised list of the ants collected in the Kruger National Park. Koedoe 7: 77-93.
 * Yeo K., L. M. M. Kouakou, W. Dekoninck, K. Ouattara, and S. Konate. 2016. Detecting intruders: assessment of the anthropophilic ant fauna (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the city of Abidjan and along access roads in Banco National Park (Côte d’Ivoire). Journal of Entomology and Zoological Studies 4(4): 351-359.