Tetramorium glabratum

Nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
Mbanyana et al. (2018) - A member of the T. solidum species group. Tetramorium glabratum is similar to Tetramorium rufescens. They both lack pilosity on the dorsum of the mesosoma and on the first gastral tergite and are both reddish coloured. Tetramorium glabratum can be distinguished from the latter by the short and broad propodeal spines (PSLI 4–8), which are long and narrow in T. rufescens (PSLI 16–23).

Distribution
This species occurs in South Africa (Northern Cape and Western Cape) and Namibia.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Namibia, South Africa.

Habitat
Known from Nama Karoo, Succulent Karoo and the Namib Desert.

Nomenclature

 *  glabratum. Tetramorium solidum st. glabratum Stitz, 1923: 162 (w.) NAMIBIA. Raised to species, senior synonym of rutilum and material of the unavailable name aciculatum referred here: Bolton, 1980: 246.
 * rutilum. Tetramorium rutilum Prins, 1973: 14, figs. 14-18, 30 (w.q.) SOUTH AFRICA. Junior synonym of glabratum: Bolton, 1980: 246.

Worker
Bolton (1980) - TL 5.0—5.7, HL 1.26-1.40, HW 1.18—1.32, CI 93-95, SL 0.86-0.98, SI 73-75, PW 0.78-0.87, AL 1.38-1.45 (3 measured).

Mandibles longitudinally rugulose, anterior clypeal margin with a shallow median impression. Frontal carinae very short, ending before the level of the midlength of the eyes. Maximum diameter of eye c. 0.36, about 0.27 x HW. Occipital corners broadly rounded, the occipital margin broadly but shallowly concave. Sides of head behind eyes weakly convex but in front of eyes more or less straight. Propodeum in profile shaped as in Fig. 29, the propodeal spines short, broad across the base and acute apically. Sides of pronotum with a vertical ridge or carina anteriorly which separates the pronotum proper from the cervical portion of the sclerite, this ridge petering out on the dorsum. Petiole and postpetiole in profile as in Fig. 29, in dorsal view the petiole broader than long, with a strongly arched anterior face and a more or less straight posterior face. Head finely longitudinally rugulose dorsally, the rugulae strongest on the clypeus and side in front of the eyes but rapidly fading out posteriorly so that at the level of the posterior margins of the eye they are very weak indeed. On the occiput the rugulae are so weak as to be absent or virtually absent and a very fine reticulate-punctulation becomes apparent, especially on the occipital corners. Dorsal alitrunk usually with some weak longitudinal rugulae, the spaces with fine dense reticulate-punctulation. Pedicel dorsally similarly sculptured but the rugulae weaker still, virtually or completely effaced. First gastral tergite basally with very faint, very fine, inconspicuous surface reticulation only. Dorsal surfaces of alitrunk, petiole, postpetiole and first gastral tergite without hairs, the head with 4—S pairs dorsally. Dorsal surfaces of hind tibiae with short, appressed pilosity. Colour dull red, glossy.

Mbanyana et al (2018) - (N = 7) HL 1.042–1.141 (1.065); HW 1.031–1.092 (1.065) SL 0.757–0.836 (0.800); EL 0.295–0.315 (0.304); PH 0.462–0.531 (0.504); PW 0.667–0.738 (0.705); WL 1.033–1.239 (1.105); PSL 0.049–0.489 (0.060); PTH 0.344–0.374 (0.357); PTL 0.266–0.305 (0.290); PTW 0.315–0.384 (0.359); PPH 0.384–0.433 (0.410); PPL 0.246–0.275 (0.259); PPW 0.423–0.482 (0.452); OI 28–29 (29); CI 95–100 (97); SI 73–78 (75); DMI 57–71 (64); LMI 40–50 (46); PSLI 4–8 (5); PeNI 44–55 (51); LPeI 73–89 (81) DPeI 108–131 (124); PpNI 58–69 (64); LPpI 59–68 (63); DPpI 165–186 (174); PPI 120–141 (126).

Type Material
Mbanyana et al (2018):

Holotype of Tetramorium solidum st. glabratum Stitz, 1923, worker: Karibib, 23–26 Apr. 1911, W. Michaelsen leg. (: FOCOL2085).

Holotype of Tetramorium solidum race glabratum var. aciculatum Stitz, 1923: worker, Lüderitzbucht, 5–13 Jul. 1911, W. Michaelsen leg. (types not in ZMHB, presumably lost).

Syntypes of Tetramorium rutilum Prins, 1973: 8 pinned workers, 1 pinned ♀, Western Cape, Van Rhynsdorp, 19 Apr. 1963, J.J. Cillie leg. (SAM-ENT-0011750).

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * IZIKO South Africa Museum Collection
 * Koch F., and K. Vohland. 2004. Ants along a southern African transect - a basis for biodiversity change monitoring (Insecta, Hymenoptera, Formicidae). Zoosystematics and Evolution 80(2): 261-273.
 * 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.
 * Mbanyana N., F. Hita Garcia, H. G. Robertson, and J. J. Le Roux. 2018. A taxonomic revision of seed harvester ants of the Tetramorium solidum group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in southern Africa. European Journal of Taxonomy 454: 1-59.
 * Prins A. J. 1973. African Formicidae (Hymenoptera) in the South African Museum. Description of four new species and notes on Tetramorium Mayr. Annals of the South African Museum 62: 1-40.
 * Stitz H. 1923. Hymenoptera, VII. Formicidae. Beiträge zur Kenntnis der Land- und Süsswasserfauna Deutsch-Südwestafrikas 2: 143-167.