Tetramorium krynitum

Identification
A member of the Tetramorium simillimum species group.

Bolton (1980) - Tetramorium krynitum is one of the four species of the oculatum-complex in which long hooked or J-shaped hairs are present on the ventral surface of the head just posterior to the buccal cavity. Among its darkly coloured relatives in the complex such hairs are also known in Tetramorium oculatum but have not been confirmed in either Tetramorium bevisi or Tetramorium argenteopilosum through lack of suitably mounted material. Characters separating T. krynitum from T. bevisi are tabulated under the latter species. The other darkly coloured members of the complex are separated by the very large eyes of T. oculatum (0:37-0:39 x HW) and by the presence in T. argenteopilosum of glittering silvery gastral hairs and a strongly punctulate base to the first gastral tergite.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Namibia.

Nomenclature

 *  krynitum. Tetramorium krynitum Bolton, 1980: 313, fig. 94 (w.) NAMIBIA.

Worker
Holotype: TL 2.7, HL 0.68, HW 0.62, CI 91, SL 0.44, S171, PW 0.44, AL 0.78.

Mandibles longitudinally striate. Anterior clypeal margin entire, without trace of a median impression. Frontal carinae extending back beyond the level of the posterior margins of the eyes but only feebly developed, no stronger than the longitudinal cephalic rugulae which run between them. Antennal scrobes vestigial, represented only by a very weak impression in the sides of the head below the frontal carinae. Maximum diameter of eye 0.19, about 0.31 x HW. With alitrunk in profile the metanotal groove distinctly impressed. Propodeum armed with a pair of short triangular teeth. Metapleural lobes rounded. Petiole in profile with the dorsal surface shorter than the height of the tergal portion of the node, the anterior and posterior faces of the node more or less parallel so that the node is about the same thickness throughout its height, not narrowing from base to apex. Petiole in dorsal view with the node distinctly broader than long. Dorsum of head finely longitudinally rugulose, with 11-12 rugulae between the frontal carinae at eye level. Spaces between the rugulae with fine but quite conspicuous punctulate ground-sculpture. Dorsal alitrunk with reticulate-punctate sculpture on the propodeum, but this is suppressed and faint on the promesonotum where it forms a weak ground-sculpture overlaid by a series of continuous longitudinal fine rugulae, without cross-meshes. Dorsal surfaces of petiole and postpetiole very finely superficially punctulate or shagreened, the first gastral tergite unsculptured. All dorsal surfaces of head and body with numerous stout hairs, those on the alitrunk conspicuously blunted apically. Colour dark brown.

Type Material
Holotype worker, South West Africa: Okahanja, 7.iv.1972 (P. M. Hammond).