Tetramorium curvispinosum

Nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
Bolton (1977) - The form of the propodeal spines in this species appears to be unique in the genus and serves quickly to distinguish the species. T. curvispinosum does not appear to have any immediate relatives but the long spines and elongate peduncle of the petiole are more reminiscent of members of the tortuosum-group. However, the 12-segmented antennae and dentiform sting appendage of curvispinosum exclude it from that group and I have placed it in ciliatum-group for the time being.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: Sri Lanka.

Nomenclature

 *  curvispinosum. Tetramorium curvispinosum Mayr, 1897: 430 (w.) SRI LANKA. See also: Bolton, 1977: 121.

Worker
TL 3.2-3.6, HL 0.72-0.80, HW 0.66-0.72, CI 88-93, SL 0.52-0.58, SI 78-83, PW 0.48-0.52, AL 0.88-0.94 (13 measured).

Mandibles striate; anterior clypeal margin entire. Frontal carinae extending back behind the level of the eyes but the carinae themselves irregular and feeble, in the posterior half of their length scarcely or not more strongly developed than the other cephalic sculpture. Antennal scrobes very weak, scarcely recognizable. Eyes of moderate size, maximum diameter c. 0.14-0.16. Propodeal spines exceptionally long, stout but acute apically (Fig. 50). In dorsal view the spines are strongly bowed, their apical halves converging posteriorly. Metapleural lobes short, triangular and acute. Propodeum in profile with a long anterior peduncle and a short, high node, the dorsal length of which is distinctly less than the height of the tergal portion. Node of petiole in dorsal view as long as or slightly longer than broad. Dorsum of head irregularly longitudinally rugose with very few cross-meshes to the level of the posterior margins of the eyes, behind this level with a rugoreticulum. Dorsal alitrunk with a loose, open rugoreticulum, the meshes of which are broad. Petiole and postpetiole unsculptured or at most with some faint rugulation. Gaster unsculptured. All dorsal surfaces of head and body with numerous long, fine hairs. Anterior (leading) edge of scapes and dorsal (outer) surfaces of hind tibiae with long erect or suberect hairs, the longest of which are at least subequal to the maximum width of the appendage from which they arise, usually longer. Head and alitrunk orange-brown; pedicel, gaster and appendages yellowish or yellowish brown.

Type Material
Holotype worker, Sri Lanka: Kalawewa (Madarasz) (location of type not known).

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Bolton B. 1977. The ant tribe Tetramoriini (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). The genus Tetramorium Mayr in the Oriental and Indo-Australian regions, and in Australia. Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History). Entomology 36:67-151.
 * 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.
 * Chapman, J. W., and Capco, S. R. 1951. Check list of the ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of Asia. Monogr. Inst. Sci. Technol. Manila 1: 1-327
 * Dias R. K. S. 2002. Current knowledge on ants of Sri Lanka. ANeT Newsletter 4: 17- 21.
 * Dias R. K. S. 2006. Current taxonomic status of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Sri Lanka. The Fauna of Sri Lanka: 43-52. Bambaradeniya, C.N.B. (Editor), 2006. Fauna of Sri Lanka: Status of Taxonomy, Research and Conservation. The World Conservation Union, Colombo, Sri Lanka & Government of Sri Lanka. viii + 308pp.
 * Dias R. K. S., K. R. K. A. Kosgamage, and H. A. W. S. Peiris. 2012. The Taxonomy and Conservation Status of Ants (Order: Hymenoptera, Family: Formicidae) in Sri Lanka. In: The National Red List 2012 of Sri Lanka; Conservation Status of the Fauna and Flora. Weerakoon, D.K. & S. Wijesundara Eds., Ministry of Environment, Colombo, Sri Lanka. p11-19.
 * Forel A. 1903. Les Formicides de l'Empire des Indes et de Ceylan. Part X. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 14: 679-715.