Tetramorium kheperra

This is a widespread tramp species also recorded from Sumba and Prinsen [Panaitan] islands in Indonesia, Hong Kong and Assam (Bolton, 1976). Most of the specimens examined were collected in disturbed habitats. Workers were found in Kew Gardens (London) in 1974 among the roots of a plant imported from Assam (Bolton, 1967). This indicates that the species may be an underground nester. (Yamane and Jaitrong 2011) Heterick & Kitching (2022) collected this species from leaf litter in a lowland dipterocarp forest in Brunei.

Identification
Yamane and Jaitrong (2011) - Head with regular puncto-reticulation over dorsal surface. Antennal scrobe strongly developed. Clypeus with a median and a few lateral obliquely running carinae; anterior margin entire. Propodeal declivity extensively smooth and shiny, with two transverse carinae above. Propodeal spine acute, distinctly longer than propodeal lobes. Petiolar node in dorsal view slightly broader than long; with petiole in profile tergal portion of the node higher than long. Gastral tergite I entirely smooth and shining. Dorsum of body densely covered with branched hairs; hairs on gastral tergite 1 universally trifid, forming a dense pelt over surface.

This species is similar to two other species and the three can be separated using the following key:

1

 * Anterior clypeal margin weakly concave. Clypeus with one median and a few lateral carinae running longitudinally. Anterior portion of frons just behind clypeus not reticulate, with longitudinal rugulae only . . . . . Tetramorium polymorphum


 * Anterior clypeal margin straight or feebly convex. Clypeus with one longitudinal median carina and a few shorter and obliquely running carinae, or entirely reticulate. Dorsum of head almost entirely puncto-reticulate . . . . . 2

2

 * Clypeus with carinae, not reticulate. Propodeal declivity extensively smooth and shining, with a strong transverse carina between propodeal spine, and a weaker carina below it . . . . . Tetramorium kheperra


 * Clypeus reticulate. Upper half of propodeal declivity with several fine transverse carinae and mat . . . . . Tetramorium hasinae

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Indo-Australian Region: Borneo, Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore. Oriental Region: Cambodia, India, Vietnam. Palaearctic Region: China.

Nomenclature

 *  kheperra. Triglyphothrix kheperra Bolton, 1976: 349, fig. 71 (w.) INDONESIA (Java). Imai, Kubota, et al. 1985: 46 (k.). Combination in Tetramorium: Bolton, 1985: 247. See also: Yamane & Jaitrong, 2011: 63.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Alcantara M. J., S. Modi, T. C. Ling, J. Monkai, H. Xu, S. Huang, and A. Nakamura. 2019. Differences in geographic distribution of ant species (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) between forests and rubber plantations: a case study in Xishuangbanna, China, and a global meta-analysis. Myrmecological News 29: 135-145.
 * Bolton B. 1976. The ant tribe Tetramoriini (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Constituent genera, review of smaller genera and revision of Triglyphothrix Forel. Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History). Entomology 34:281-379.
 * Bolton, B. 1998. A preliminary analysis of the ants of the Pasoh Forest Reserve. Pp. 84-95 in: Lee, S. S.; Dan, Y. M.; Gauld, I. D.; Bishop, J. (eds.) Conservation, management and development of forest resources. Proceedings of the Malaysia-United Kingdom Programme Workshop 21-24 October 1996. Kuala Lumpur: International Institute for Environment and Development, 392 pp.: 84-95
 * Eguchi K., and S. Yamane. 2003. Species diversity of ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) in a lowland rainforest, northwestern Borneo. New Entomol. 52(1,2): 49-59.
 * Eguchi K.; Bui T. V.; Yamane S. 2011. Generic synopsis of the Formicidae of Vietnam (Insecta: Hymenoptera), part I  Myrmicinae and Pseudomyrmecinae. Zootaxa 2878: 1-61.
 * Guénard B., and R. R. Dunn. 2012. A checklist of the ants of China. Zootaxa 3558: 1-77.
 * Herwina H., N. Nasir, Jumjunidang, and Yaherwandi. 2013. The composition of ant species on banana plants with Banana Bunchy-top Virus (BBTV) symptoms in West Sumatra, Indonesia. Asian Myrmecology 5: 151-161.
 * Huang Jian-hua, and Zhou Shan-yi. 2007. Checklist of Family Formicidae of China - Myrmicinae (Part III). (Insecta; Hymenoptera). Journal of Guangxi normal University: Natural Science Edition 25(3): 88-96.
 * Imai H. T., M. Kubota, W. L. Brown, Jr., M. Ihara, M. Tohari, and R. I. Pranata. 1985. Chromosome observations on tropical ants from Indonesia. Annu. Rep. Natl. Inst. Genet. Jpn. 35: 46-48.
 * Ito, F.; Yamane, S.; Eguchi, K.; Noerdjito, W. A.; Kahono, S.; Tsuji, K.; Ohkawara, K.; Yamauchi, K.; Nishida, T.; Nakamura, K. 2001. Ant species diversity in the Bogor Botanic Garden, West Java, Indonesia, with descriptions of two new species of the genus Leptanilla (Hymenoptera, Formicidae). Tropics 10:379-404.
 * Jaitrong W.; Nabhitabhata, J. 2005. A list of known ant species of Thailand. The Thailand Natural History Museum Journal 1(1): 9-54.
 * Kishimoto-Yamata K., F. Hyodo, M. Matsuoka, Y. Hashimoto, M. Kon, T. Ochi, S. Yamane, R. Ishii, and T. Itioka. 2012. Effects of remnant primary forests on ant and dung beetle species diversity in a secondary forest in Sarawak, Malaysia. Journal of Insect Conservation DOI 10.1007/s10841-012-9544-6
 * Lopwichan S., and S. Khachonpisitsak. 2015. Ant diversity in Nong Tha Yu Arboretum, Si Racha District, Chon Buri Province. Proceedings The 7 th National Science Research Conference. 30-31 March 2015. Naresuan University.
 * Pfeiffer M.; Mezger, D.; Hosoishi, S.; Bakhtiar, E. Y.; Kohout, R. J. 2011. The Formicidae of Borneo (Insecta: Hymenoptera): a preliminary species list. Asian Myrmecology 4:9-58
 * Suriyapong Y. 2003. Study of ground dwelling ant populations and relationship to some ecological factors in Sakaerat environmental research station, Nakhon Ratchasima. PhD thesis Suranaree University of Technology 203 pages.
 * Xu Z., Zeng G., Liu T.-Y. and He Y.-F. 1999. [A study on communities of Formicidae ants in different subtypes of vegetation in Xishuangbanna District of China.] Zoological Research 20: 118-125
 * Yamane S.; Bui T. V.; Ogata K.; Okido H.; Eguchi K. 2002. Ant fauna of Cuc Phuong National Park, North Vietnam (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Bulletin of the Institute of Tropical Agriculture Kyushu University 25: 51-62.
 * Yamane S.; Jaitrong W. 2011. A first species of Tetramorium (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Myrmicinae) with a polymorphic worker caste. Insecta Matsumurana (n.s.)67:61-74.