Tetramorium agile

This species has been collected in pitfall traps from a range of habitats, e.g., grassland, bushveld, and open woodland.

Identification
Bolton (1980) - Tetramorium agile is very distinct in the setigerum-group as it is the only species known in which the mandibles lack longitudinal striation.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: United Republic of Tanzania, Zimbabwe.

Nomenclature

 *  agile. Tetramorium agile Arnold, 1960b: 455, fig. 5 (w.) ZIMBABWE. See also: Bolton, 1980: 275.

Worker
Bolton (1980) - TL 4.0-4.1, HL 0.92-0.94, HW 0.72-0.75, CI 76-80, SL 0.84-0.86, SI 112-119, PW 0.56-0.58, AL 1.24-1.30 (4 measured).

Mandibles smooth with scattered, quite conspicuous, pits. Anterior clypeal margin entire, without a median impression or notch. Frontal carinae long and strong, reaching back almost to the occipital margin where they merge into the occipital-area rugoreticulum. The frontal carinae are surmounted by a distinct raised rim or flange and are slightly convex with respect to one another, their maximum separation is at the level of the eyes, where they are about 0.47-0.48 x HW apart, behind this they are weakly convergent. Antennal scrobes narrow and shallow but fairly conspicuous. Antennal scapes relatively long, SI > 100. Maximum diameter of eye 0.22-0.24, about 0.30-0.32 x HW. With the alitrunk in profile the metanotal groove usually broadly but shallowly impressed; feebly so in some individuals. Propodeal spines straight, stout and strongly elevated; the spines quite short, distinctly longer than the low triangular metapleural lobes but shorter than the maximum diameter of the eye. Node of petiole in profile with the dorsal length slightly shorter than the height of the tergal portion. Anterodorsal angle approximately right-angular, the dorsum behind it feebly convex and sloping downwards slightly to the rather more bluntly rounded posterodorsal angle. In dorsal view the petiole node broader than long, broader behind than in front and with the anterior face more strongly arched than the posterior. Dorsum of head with 5-7 fine longitudinal tugulae between the frontal carinae at eye-level. These are quite widely spaced and have scattered crossmeshes on the dorsum behind the level of the eyes. Occipital area with a fine rugoreticulum. Dorsal alitrunk irregularly rugose, the rugae more strongly developed and more widely spaced on the pronotum than elsewhere, and with a tendency for a longitudinal component to be more obvious on the pronotum. Dorsal surfaces of petiole and postpetiole with fine rugulae superimposed on a fine punctulate ground-sculpture. Base of first gastral tergite with fine punctulation or shagreening, faint in some individuals. All dorsal surfaces with numerous strong hairs but the scapes and middle and hind tibiae only with fine decumbent to appressed pubescence. Colour medium to dark brown, the gaster darker in shade than the head and alitrunk.

Type Material
Bolton (1980) - Syntype workers, RHODESIA: Woodvale, 28.xi.57 (G. Arnold) [examined].

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * IZIKO South Africa Museum Collection