Tetramorium signatum

Identification
Tetramorium signatum is morphologically similar to T. barbigerum and T. jordani in that they are all black in colour and lack erect hairs on the mesosoma but the sculpture in the last two species is weaker compared to T. signatum. Tetramorium jordani is distinguished from other species by lacking propodeal spines.

Distribution
This species has been recorded from South Africa (Eastern Cape, Western Cape, and Northern Cape), Namibia and Angola.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Angola, Namibia, South Africa. Palaearctic Region: Israel.

Biology
It has been found in the following habitats: Nama Karoo (including Koedoesberge-Moordenaars Karoo), Succulent Karoo, open rocky savanna, Kimberley Thornveld, open Mopane savanna on granite derived gravel soils, on sandy soil near river, Gariep rocky desert, on rocky ridges with sparsely distributed shrubs, Strandveld, Gariep Plain Desert, and Eastern Gariep Plain Desert. This species nests in sandy to loamy soils, with nests sometimes partly under rocks. Up to three entrances have been recorded per nest and entrances sometimes have craters of soil around them. Alates have been collected from nests in December. Two nests were found with Thysanura inquilines. Collected using pitfall traps, yellow pan traps, tuna baits, sugar baits, cookie baits and by hand-collecting.

Nomenclature

 *  signatum. Tetramorium solidum var. signatum Emery, 1895h: 35 (w.) SOUTH AFRICA. Raised to species and senior synonym of grootensis, lugubre, tuckeri: Bolton, 1980: 251.
 * lugubre. Tetramorium solidum subsp. lugubre Forel, 1910e: 425 (w.) ANGOLA. Junior synonym of signatum: Bolton, 1980: 251.
 * grootensis. Tetramorium solidum var. grootensis Forel, 1913a: 118 (q.m.) SOUTH AFRICA. Junior synonym of signatum: Bolton, 1980: 251.
 * tuckeri. Tetramorium solidum var. tuckeri Arnold, 1926: 259 (w.q.) SOUTH AFRICA. Subspecies of solidum: Prins, 1973: 5. Junior synonym of signatum: Bolton, 1980: 251.