Tapinoma latifrons

Iridomyrmex latifrons Karavaiev was transferred to the genus Tapinoma by Heterick & Shattuck (2011). The holotype specimen does not possess a petiolar node (this can be ascertained, despite the fact that the petiole is partially hidden by the collapsed gaster). The absence of a node requires the specimen to be removed from the genus Iridomyrmex, whose taxa all possess a node or a nodiform ridge. The holotype specimen can also be excluded from the dolichoderine genus Technomyrmex due to only four gastral tergites being visible in dorsal view (five tergites are visible in Technomyrmex). Finally, the insertion of the posterior sector of the clypeus between the frontal carinae is a broad arc, a feature that separates Tapinoma species from the Australian genus Doleromyrma, in which the suture demarcating the posterior clypeal border is more narrowly rectangular in appearance (Heterick, 2009). All other visible features of the worker are consistent with the genus Tapinoma as characterised by Bolton (1994).

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Indo-Australian Region: Indonesia.

Nomenclature

 *  latifrons. Iridomyrmex latifrons Karavaiev, 1933a: 305, fig. 1 (w.) INDONESIA (Java). Combination in Tapinoma: Heterick & Shattuck, 2011: 167. See also: Shattuck, 1992a: 15.