Tetramorium jordani

Tetramorium jordani nests in sandy soils, with nests located either at the base of plants or with the entrance in the open, away from plants. The nest usually has a crater of soil around the entrance. In sand dunes of the Namib Desert, the tunnels inside the nest have crust-like walls to stop sand from falling in, and the entrance of one nest observed was funnel shaped due to the crust-like lining and the fact that the loose sand around the entrance was blown away by the wind. The species has been collected using yellow pan traps, pitfall traps and hand collecting. Tetramorium jordani feeds on seeds. (Mbanyana et al. 2018)

Identification
Mbanyana et al (2018) - Tetramorium jordani is the only species in the T. solidum group with the combination of no propodeal spines (the propodeum is only angulated with PSLI 1–3) and a hairless body. The only other species without propodeal spines is Tetramorium brigitteae, which has erect hairs covering the entire body.

Distribution
Arid regions of South Africa (Western Cape and Northern Cape) and Namibia

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

Habitat
An arid habitat species that has been collected in Succulent Karoo, Namib Desert, Lowland Fynbos and Renosterveld, Montane Fynbos and Renosterveld and Nama Karoo.

Nomenclature

 *  jordani. Tetramorium jordani Santschi, 1937a: 62 (w.) NAMIBIA. Senior synonym of aspinatum: Bolton, 1980: 248.
 * aspinatum. Tetramorium aspinatum Prins, 1973: 12, figs. 10-13, 29 (w.q.) SOUTH AFRICA. Junior synonym of jordani: Bolton, 1980: 248.

Worker
Bolton (1980) - TL 5.3—5.8, HL 1.32-1.34, HW 1.24-1.28, CI 94-96, SL 0.92-0.96, SI 73-76, PW 0.78-0.82, AL 1.28-1.34 (5 measured).

Mandibles longitudinally rugose. Anterior clypeal margin with a median impression. Frontal carinae very feeble and short, the frontal lobes rapidly narrowing posteriorly, extended back to the level of the anterior margin of the eye by a very weak ridge which is no more strongly developed than the remaining cephalic sculpture. Maximum diameter of eye 0.33-0.35, about 0.26-0.27 x HW. Propodeal spines absent, their place taken by a prominent angle or a pair of minute tubercles which are only a fraction of the width of the low, rounded metapleural lobes. Petiole in profile strongly nodiform, in dorsal view distinctly broader than long with a convex anterior face which rounds into the sides. Postpetiole in dorsal view broader than long and broader than the petiole. Dorsum of head finely and densely longitudinally costulate, the costulae becoming weaker occipitally but running to the margin at least medially. Small spaces between the costulae very finely punctulate, more conspicuously so occipitally where the costulae are weaker. Dorsal alitrunk finely and densely reticulate-punctulate with fairly frequent vestigial longitudinal costulae or weak rugulae. Dorsal surfaces of petiole and postpetiole very finely and densely punctulate, appearing granular. Base of first gastral tergite finely shagreened. Erect hairs absent from dorsal surfaces of alitrunk, pedicel segments and first gastral tergite. Hairs present on the clypeus, dorsum of head (2 pairs in unabraded specimens), first sternite and gastral segments following the first. Ventral surface of head with a psammophore. Hind tibiae with appressed pubescence. Colour black or blackish brown.

Mbanyana et al (2018) - (N = 13) HL 0.974–1.135 (1.071); HW 0.915–1.121 (1.064); SL 0.777–0.846 (0.795); EL 0.256–0.295 (0.266); PH 0.364–0.492 (0.453); PW 0.593–0.734 (0.673); WL 1.072–1.170 (1.158); PSL 0.010–0.030 (0.017); PTH 0.305–0.364 (0.340); PTL 0.285–0.334 (0.306); PTW 0.305–0.388 (0.342); PPH 0.452–0.555 (0.490); PPL 0.256–0.319 (0.289); PPW 0.416–0.492 (0.460); OI 23–28 (25); CI 94–109 (99); SI 69–85 (75); DMI 47–65 (58); LMI 32–44 (39); PSLI 1–3 (2); PeNI 48–56 (51); LPeI 85–94 (90); DPeI 104– 123 (112); PpNI 62–75 (68); LPpI 55–63 (59); DPpI 136–177 (159); PPI 122–150 (135).

Type Material
Mbanyana et al (2018):

2 syntypes of Tetramorium jordan Santschi, 1937: Namibia: W of Maltahohe, 1500 m a.s.l., 12 Dec. 1933, K. Jordan leg. (: CASENT0901180; : CASENT0915021).

syntypes of Tetramorium aspinatum Prins, 1973, 8 pinned workers, South Africa. Northern Cape, Port Nolloth, 20 Apr. 1963, J.J. Cillie leg. (SAM-ENT0011753).

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Bolton B. 1980. The ant tribe Tetramoriini (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). The genus Tetramorium Mayr in the Ethiopian zoogeographical region. Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History). Entomology 40: 193-384.
 * IZIKO South Africa Museum Collection
 * Marsh A. C. 1986. Checklist, biological notes and distribution of ants in the central Namib Desert. Madoqua 14: 333-344.
 * Mbanyana N. 2013. Taxonomy, phylogeny and biogeography of seed-harvesting ants in the Tetramorium solidum-group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Masters of Science in the Department of Botany and Zoology at Stellenbosch University 115 pages.
 * Mbanyana N., F. Hita Garcia, H. G. Robertson, and J. J. Le Roux. 2018. A taxonomic revision of seed harvester ants of the Tetramorium solidum group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in southern Africa. European Journal of Taxonomy 454: 1-59.
 * Prins A. J. 1973. African Formicidae (Hymenoptera) in the South African Museum. Description of four new species and notes on Tetramorium Mayr. Annals of the South African Museum 62: 1-40.