Tetramorium titus

Known from the type, presumably collected before 1910, and a grassland pitfall-trap sample collected in 2006.

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

Nomenclature

 *  titus. Tetramorium titus Forel, 1910e: 427 (w.) SOUTH AFRICA. See also: Bolton, 1980: 264.

Worker
Bolton (1980) - TL 3.6, HL 0.80, HW 0.79, CI 98, SL 0.54, SI 68, PW 0.52, AL 0.96. Mandibles smooth and shining with scattered small pits. Anterior clypeal margin with a median notch or impression. Head relatively short and broad, CI approathing 100, and the scapes relatively short, SI 68. Frontal carinae strongly developed, extending back almost to the occiput, sinuate and broadest at the level of the eyes where they are c. 0.45 across, about 0.57 x HW. Eyes moderate, maximum diameter 0.20, about 0.25 x HW. Alitrunk in profile with promesonotum more or less evenly convex, the metanotal groove strongly impressed. Propodeum rising slightly from metanotal groove, then sloping downwards to the base of the short, acute, broad-based propodeal spines. Mesopleuron retaining a weak suture dividing it into anand katepisterna. Petiole in profile high and narrow, the height of the tergum much greater than the dorsal length, the shape as in Fig. 41. Petiole in posterior view with the node high, narrow and almost columnar, with a rounded top and sides which are only feebly convergent dorsally. Clypeus with median carina absent. Dorsum of head with meandering longitudinal rugulae which run from clypeus to occiput without crossmeshes or anastomoses. Promesonotal dorsum mostly smooth, with only a few faint longitudinal rugulae which become progressively stronger towards the metanotal groove; spaces between these rugulae smooth. Petiole, postpetiole and gaster smooth and unsculptured. All dorsal surfaces of head and body with numerous long, fine, soft hairs which are acute apically. Scapes and tibiae with long, subdecumbent to decumbent pubescence. Within the group titus is closest related to vexator with which it shares the characters of smooth mandibles, long pilosity and notched clypeus. However, vexator is a more strongly sculptured species with a more modified petiole node in which the dorsal and posterior faces have been united to form a single steep convexity, the highest point of which is the anterodorsal angle.

Type Material
Bolton (1980) - Holotype worker, SOUTH AFRICA: Natal (Wroughton)

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Arnold G. 1917. A monograph of the Formicidae of South Africa. Part III. Myrmicinae. Annals of the South African Museum. 14: 271-402.