Tetramorium strictum

All specimens examined have been from rain forest and a collection from Kuranda bear the information 'rotten log, rain forest' (Bolton 1977).

Identification
Bolton (1977) - Apart from the type-series, specimens from four other series have been examined. Some of these show variation from the types in colour and density of rugulose or rugoreticular sculpture, and in a few the sides of the petiole are more strongly sculptured. Specimens from Rocky River, Cape York, are uniform dark brown and have a sharper and less spaced-out rugoreticulum on the alitrunk. The size range in these specimens is HL 0.72-0.82, HW 0.68-0.76, CI 90-95, SL 0.52-0.62, SI 78-83, PW 0.50-0.60, AL 0.86-1.00, with the range of ocular diameter 0.14-0.18 (10 measured).

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Nomenclature

 *  strictum. Tetramorium strictum Bolton, 1977: 144, fig. 64 (w.) AUSTRALIA.

Worker
Holotype. TL 3.1, HL 0.78, HW 0.72, CI 92, SL 0.60, SI 83, PW 0.54, AL 0.92.

Mandibles finely longitudinally striate; anterior clypeal margin without a median notch, the strongly developed median carina reaching to the margin. Eyes of moderate size, maximum diameter c. 0.16, slightly in front of the midlength of the sides of the head. Frontal carinae extending back almost to the occipital corners, forming the dorsal margin of the weak and shallow scrobes which are about as long as the scape but not deep enough to accommodate it. Metanotal groove broadly but shallowly impressed in profile. Propodeal spines long and strong, the metapleural lobes elongate and narrowly triangular. Petiole in profile with the dorsum rounding into the posterior face, the latter convex and prominent (Fig. 64). In dorsal view the petiole node longer than broad, only slightly broader behind than in front and narrower apically than at the base so that the dorsum is narrower than the body of the node. Sides of petiole in dorsal view slightly concave (sometimes feebly so) so that the dorsum has a pinched-in or constricted appearance at about its midlength. Dorsum of head with a few widely spaced longitudinal rugulae which anastomose posteriorly, the spaces between them shining and smooth or at most with a very faint trace of sculpture. Dorsal alitrunk with a loose, wide-meshed rugoreticulum, the spaces between which are smooth or have very faint traces of sculpture. Petiole and postpetiole unsculptured dorsally but the former with vestiges of striae on the sides. Gaster unsculptured. All surfaces of head and body with numerous erect hairs. Colour shining mid-brown, the gaster and appendages lighter than the head and alitrunk.

Paratypes. As holotype, with range TL 3.0-3.2, HL 0.76-0.80, HW 0.70-0.74, CI 92-94, SL 0.58-0.62, SI 80-84, PW 0.52-0.56, AL 0.88-0.94 (8 measured). The ocular diameter shows a range of 0.16-0.18 and in some specimens the dorsal constriction of the petiole is more conspicuous than in the holotype.

Type Material
Holotype worker, Australia: Queensland, Mt Alexander, NW. Daintree, 20-23.xii.1957, rain forest (P. F. Darlington). Paratypes. 8 workers with same data as holotype (MCZC; ).



References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Bolton, B. "The ant tribe Tetramoriini (Hymenoptera: Formicinae. The genus Tetramorium Mayr in the Oriental and Indo-Australian regions and in Australia." Bulletin of the British Museum (National History): Entomology series 36, no. 2 (1977): 68-151.
 * CSIRO Collection
 * Taylor R. W. 1987. A checklist of the ants of Australia, New Caledonia and New Zealand (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization) Division of Entomology Report 41: 1-92.