Tetramorium manobo

This ant is associated with the aphid, Toxoptera odinae (van der Goot). It was found alone underneath leaves of Arundo donax Linn. (Poaceae). It solicits honeydew from the aphid by brushing with its antennae the posterior end of the aphid's abdomen. When the aphid raises its abdomen, honeydew is excreted. (Calilung 2000)

Identification
Calilung (2000) - Mandible with seven visible teeth; clypeus with apical margin slightly lobed; antennae 12-segmented, with 3-segmented club; promesonotal and mesopropodeal suture markedly impressed; propodeum laterally armed with a pair of long spines pointing backwards and with a pair of small spines ventrally; petiole and post petiole subequally rounded but petiole pedunculate anteriorly; only first gasteral segment visible dorsally.

Distribution
Mindanao.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Indo-Australian Region: Philippines.

Nomenclature

 *  manobo. Apomyrmex manobo Calilung, 2000: 66, fig. 1 (w.) PHILIPPINES (Mindanao). Combination in Tetramorium: Bolton, 2003: 269. See also: Schlick-Steiner, Steiner & Zettel, 2006: 183.

Worker
Body 4 mm long, shining dark brown. Head subquadrangular, heavily sculptured, with few very long simple setae; mandibles long, triangular with seven visible teeth; clypeus slightly bilobed at apical margin, basal margin subtriangular, carinate; antennae 12-segmented with 3-segmented club; outer sides of antennal sockets near basal clypeal margin, up to dorsal or head vertex carinate; eyes large, length as long as first funicular segment, elevated, rounded and positioned at mid lateral sides of the head; occiput slightly depressed.

Alitrunk heavily sculptured, longer than broad, narrow with numerous very long simple setae; promesonotal and mesopropodeal sutures markedly impressed; propodeum armed with a pair of long spines laterally and a pair of small spines ventrally; legs short and robust; front tibial spur large, with long fringed hairs ventrally.

Petiole heavily sculptured, pedunculate anteriorly, subequally rounded as post petiole, with several very long simple setae; gaster oval, shiny and smooth without any scuplturing, with numerous very long simple setae; only first gastral segment visible dorsally; basal portion longitudinal striated.

Type Material
HOLOTYPE: Worker, Mindanao: North Cotabato: Kidapawan: Agco, Mt. Apo, underneath leaves of Arundo donax Linn., 02.v.1988 (MV:J. Calilung, MVJC 021) (UPLB-MNH).

Etymology
The specific epithet is derived from Manobo, the name of the indigenous tribe living in Mt. Apo.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Calilung, M.V.J. 2000. A new genus, two new species and a new subspecies of Philippine ants. Philipp. Entomol. 14: 65-73
 * Schlick-Steiner B. C.; F.M. Steiner, and H. Zettel. 2006. Tetramorium pacificum Mayr, 1870, T. scabrum Mayr, 1879 sp.rev., T. manobo (Calilung, 2000) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)  three good species. Myrmecologische Nachrichten 8:181-191.