Tetramorium umtaliense

A species of open habitats, e.g., grassland, bushveld and savanna, that has been collected in pitfall traps, by hand, and in a subterranean trap.

Identification
Bolton (1980) - In the squaminode-complex of this group T. umtaliense is immediately recognizable as it is the only species in which the entire cephalic dorsum is covered by a rugoreticulum, the predominant sculpture elsewhere in the complex being of longitudinal rugulae with a reticulum, if present at all, being confined to the occipital region. Besides this T. umtaliense is the only species in the group at present to have basigastral costulae on the first tergite. Although these are short and are confined to the area immediately posterior to the postpetiole-gaster articulation they are very distinctive.

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

Nomenclature

 *  umtaliense. Tetramorium umtaliensis Arnold, 1926: 256, fig. 69 (w.) ZIMBABWE. See also: Bolton, 1980: 261.

Worker
Bolton (1980) - TL 2.8-3.2, HL 0.68-0.74, HW 0.59-0.68, CI 86-92, SL 0.47-0.52, SI 76-81, PW 0.47-0.55, AL 0.80-0.90 (8 measured).

Mandibles densely longitudinally striate. Anterior clypeal margin entire, without a median notch or impression. Frontal carinae strong and sinuate, reaching back almost to the occipital corners. Antennal scrobes not strongly developed but quite conspicuous, broad and shallow. Eyes at midlength of sides of head, maximum diameter 0.16-0.17, about 0.24-0.25 x HW. Metanotal groove feeble or not impressed in profile. Propodeal spines of moderate length, broad basally but rapidly tapering to an acute apex, distinctly much longer than the low, triangular metapleural lobes. Petiole squamiform, much higher than long in profile and with the dorsum of the scale narrowly but bluntly rounded. In dorsal view the petiole and postpetiole both distinctly much broader than long, the postpetiole broader than the petiole. Entire dorsum of head from posterior clypeal margin to occipital margin with a coarse rugoreticulum. Dorsal alitrunk everywhere irregularly reticulate-rugulose. Petiole and postpetiole with traces of rugular sculpture, sometimes vestigial but the pedicel segments never entirely smooth. Base of first gastral tergite with a radiating series of short but distinct costulae. All dorsal surfaces of head and body with numerous elongate hairs, predominantly erect or suberect and mostly blunted apically. Scapes and tibiae with short appressed pubescence only. Colour yellow, the gaster somewhat darker.

Type Material
Bolton (1980) - Syntype workers, RHODESIA: Umtali, 9.vi.1920 (G. Arnold) [examined].

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * IZIKO South Africa Museum Collection