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, 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

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 * 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
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