Tetramorium platynode

Identification
Bolton (1980) - The species most closely related to T. platynode is Tetramorium nube of Sudan, but in that species the postpetiole is completely devoid of sculpture and the pedicel segments are much less strongly developed.

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

Nomenclature

 *  platynode. Tetramorium platynode Bolton, 1980: 258, figs. 35, 38 (w.) SOUTH AFRICA.

Worker
Holotype worker: TL 3.3, HL 0.78, HW 0.72, CI 92, SL 0.58, SI 81, PW 0.58, AL 0.94.

Mandibles longitudinally striate, clypeus with a shallow median impression. Frontal carinae strongly developed, reaching back almost to occipital margin and markedly sinuate along their length, widest at the level of the eyes. Antennal scrobes well developed. Eye of moderate size, maximum diameter 0.17, about 0.24 x HW, situated at the midlength of the sides of the head. Occipital margin shallowly concave medially in full-face view, the sides shallowly convex. Outline of dorsal alitrunk in profile feebly impressed at metanotal groove. Propodeal spines long, stout and acute, very broad basally; metapleural lobes triangular, short and acute. Petiole squamiform, shaped as in figure; in dorsal view very broad, measuring c. 0.45, about 0.76 x PW. Postpetiole nodiform in profile but very broad in dorsal view and with an irregular lateral outline. Clypeus with the median carina intersected at about its midlength by an irregular transverse rugule which runs from one lateral longitudinal carina to the other. Head with sharp and widely spaced fine longitudinal rugulae, the spaces between them almost smooth, with only the faintest traces of surface sculpture remaining. Cross-meshes absent except on occiput where a feeble reticulum is present. Promesonotal dorsum with a loose, irregular ruguloreticulum the meshes of which are fine and widely spaced; spaces enclosed by the meshes virtually smooth. Petiole with only the faintest traces of sculpture but the postpetiole with a few rugulae and a number of raised welts, the surfaces with very feeble punctulation, effaced in places. First gastral tergite unsculptured. All dorsal surfaces of head and body with numerous hairs which are quite stout and are blunt or truncated apically. Appendages with fine appressed pubescence only. Colour uniform mid-brown, the head and gaster slightly darker in shade than the alitrunk and pedicel, appendages lighter brown.

Type Material
Holotype worker, South Africa: Cape, Gwanga Drift, Peddie (B. Marais). The holotype worker of this species was removed from a card of material containing a number of workers of 7 quadrispinosum and was obviously collected as a stray along with the Tetramorium quadrispinosum sample. Dr C. F. Jacot-Guillarmod of AMGS has kindly consented to the deposition of the holotype in BMNH collection.