Tetramorium moravicum

There are two queen forms, macrogynes and microgynes. The majority of colonies are monogynous with a macrogyne queen. The smaller number of polygynous nests typically contain microgynes but a small minority contain macrogynes (Schlick-Steiner et al., 2005). In Russia this species is found in more arid habitats than previously thought, where it is confined to the slopes on steppe-bordering forests (Zryanin & Zryanina, 2007).

Identification
Csösz, Radchenko and Schulz (2007) - Workers of T. moravicum are distinguishable from most species of the chefketi species complex (except for Tetramorium rhodium and Tetramorium syriacum) by their usually finely costulate scapes bearing a well visible and long dorsal carina basally. The most distinctive features, to separate T. moravicum from T. rhodium workers, the shape of the petiole in profile, and the relative length of scape; the frontal width gives appropriate discrimination of the workers of T. moravicum and T. syriacum.

Gynes of T. moravicum differ from known gynes of other species of the chefketi species complex by the relatively wide scutum, MW/CS 1.07 [1.05, 1.13] and by the dorsal carina of the scape.

Distribution
Widespread in western Palaeartic from S France to Iran.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iran, Italy, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Turkey, Ukraine.

Nomenclature

 *  moravicum. Tetramorium moravicum Kratochvíl, in Novak & Sadil, 1941: 86 (diagnosis in key) (w.) CZECHOSLOVAKIA. Kratochvíl, in Kratochvíl, Novak & Snoflak, 1944: 71 (q.m.). Junior synonym of forte: Bernard, 1967: 233; Radchenko, 1992b: 51; Atanassov & Dlussky, 1992: 152. Revived from synonymy: Radchenko, Czechowski & Czechowska, 1998: 110. Senior synonym of rhenanum: Schlick-Seiner, Steiner, Sanetra, et al. 2005: 186. See also: Güsten, Schulz & Sanetra, 2006: 16; Csösz, Radchenko & Schulz, 2007: 24.
 * rhenanum. Tetramorium rhenanum Schulz, 1996: 392 (w.q.m.) GERMANY. Junior synonym of moravicum: Schlick-Steiner, Steiner, Sanetra, et al. 2005: 186.

Worker
Csösz, Radchenko and Schulz (2007) - Figs 46–49. Medium to large size, CS 833 [720, 953]. Whole body and appendages dark brown to black. Head nearly square, CL/CW 1.02 [0.97, 1.06], with very feebly convex sides, straight occipital margin and narrowly rounded occipital corners. Eyes small, EYE 0.170 [0.165, 0.183]. Frons moderately narrow, FR/CS 0.36 [0.34, 0.38], frontal lobes usually as wide as frons, rarely slightly wider, FL/FR 1.01 [1.0, 1.04]. Scape long, SL/CS 0.80 [0.77, 0.83], with well developed longitudinal dorsal carina basally, parallel costulae extending scape. Promesonotal dorsum slightly convex, metanotal groove deep. Propodeal teeth long. Petiolar node trapezoidal in profile, NOH/NOL 1.07 [0.90, 1.29], petiole relatively high, PEH/NOL 1.94 [1.72, 2.23]. General appearance coarsely rugoso-reticulate, ground surface microreticulate, dull. Head dorsum longitudinally rugose and microreticulate, occiput rugoso-reticulate. Alitrunk dorsum, mesopleuron and dorsum of petiolar node rugoso-reticulate, ground surface coarsely microreticulate, dorsum of postpetiole longitudinally rugulose and microreticulate. Polygonal striation continuous on 1st gastral tergite (see fig. 8.). Ventral surface of head with several short and few moderately long, straight, or few C-shape setae arising posteriorly to buccal cavity (see fig. 5).

Queen
Csösz, Radchenko and Schulz (2007) - Figs 43–45. Medium to large size, CS 1198 [1045, 1275]. Whole body and appendages dark brown to black. Head distinctly wider than long, CL/CW 0.88[0.84, 0.92], with straight, subparallel sides, straight occipital margin and widely rounded occipital corners. Frons narrow, FR/CS 0.36 [0.34, 0.38], frontal lobes as wide as frons, FL/FR 1.0 [1.0, 1.02]. Scape moderately short, SL/CS 0.73 [0.71, 0.75], with well developed longitudinal dorsal carina basally, parallel costulae extending scape. Head as wide as scutum, MW/CS 1.07 [1.05, 1.13]. Propodeal teeth long. Dorsal crest of petiolar node convex, with well visible protuberance medially in frontal view; in profile petiolar node dorsum blunt. Petiole and postpetiole relatively narrow, WAIST 0.92 [0.86, 1.0]. General appearance coarsely rugose, ground surface microreticulate, dull. Head dorsum, occiput and sides rugoso-reticulate, ground surface microreticulate. Frons longitudinally rugose and microreticulate. Scutum longitudinally rugose, anteriorly smooth, scutellum more or less smooth, sides finely rugulose. Sides of alitrunk, ruguloso-reticulate and microreticulate, ventral part of katepisternum usually smooth and shiny. Dorsum of petiolar node and postpetiole coarsely reticulate; median protuberance of petiolar node smooth. Polygonal striation disrupted on 1st gastral tergite, sometimes continuous basally. Ventral surface of head with several short and few moderately long, straight, or few C-shape setae arising posterior to buccal cavity.

Male
Csösz, Radchenko and Schulz (2007) - Whole body and appendages black. Head with feebly convex sides, straight occipital margin and rounded occipital corners. Head narrower than scutum. Propodeal teeth very short, propodeum nearly rounded in profile. Dorsal crest of petiolar node blunt not emarginate in frontal view. Head, alitrunk and waist finely sculptured, partly shiny, the rest of ground surface microreticulate. Head finely reticulate ground surface microreticulate. Scutum finely rugulose, laterally and anteriorly smooth and shiny. Scutellum longitudinally rugulose, usually shiny medially. Sides of alitrunk finely rugose and microreticulate. Dorsum of petiolar node feebly reticulate and microreticulate, postpetiole generally smooth and shiny. Polygonal striation disrupted on 1st gastral tergite.

Type Material
Csösz, Radchenko and Schulz (2007) - PARATYPES “Tetramorium moravicum” [:] “1941”, “Mohelno” [now CZECH REPUBLIC], “l. Dr Kratochvíl”, Paratypus, “Tetramorium”, “moravicum Kratochv.” (1 worker, 2 males; )