Tetramorium jauresi

Identification
Bolton (1980) - Tetramorium jauresi forms a small complex with Tetramorium qualarum and Tetramorium nodiferum within the group. The closest related species is T. qualarum and differences between it and T. jauresi are tabulated under the former name. Tetramorium nodiferum is less closely related and is quickly separated by its short frontal carinae, small eyes, presence of transverse rugulose sculpture on the propodeum and presence of numerous hairs on all dorsal surfaces of the head and body.

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

Nomenclature

 *  jauresi. Tetramorium jauresi Forel, 1914d: 226 (w.) SOUTH AFRICA. Senior synonym of latens: Bolton, 1980: 348. See also: Prins, 1973: 17.
 * latens. Tetramorium latens Arnold, 1948: 224, fig. 11 (w.) ZIMBABWE. Subspecies of jauresi: Arnold, 1952a: 463. Junior synonym of jauresi: Bolton, 1980: 348.

Worker
Bolton (1980) - TL 3.6-4.4, HL 0.86-1.06, HW 0.72-0.88, CI 81.86, SL 0.52-0.66, SI 72-79, PW 0.52-0.62, AL 1.02-1.28 (19 measured).

Mandibles usually delicately longitudinally striate throughout, reduced and inconspicuous in a few individuals but never completely lacking. Anterior clypeal margin with a shallow median impression. Frontal carinae present but feebly developed and fine, usually scarcely distinguishable from the remaining sculpture; generally extending back to level of posterior margins of eyes but sometimes slightly longer or shorter than this. Antennal scrobes vestigial or absent. Maximum diameter of eye 0.19-0.24, about 0.25-0.27 x HW. Head in full-face view with sides more or less straight, slightly impressed at eyes, not evenly shallowly convex from front to back. Propodeum armed with a pair of short triangular teeth which are about as long as their basal width or slightly longer. Metapleural lobes as long as the propodeal teeth or slightly longer than them, but considerably broader. With the petiole in profile the anterior peduncle with a conspicuous dentiform anteroventral process. Petiole node in profile with the height of the tergal portion greater than the dorsal length, and with both antero- and posterodorsal angle rounded and blunt. Petiole node in dorsal view roughly globular, as broad as long or very slightly broader than long, evenly curved and with the surfaces rounding into one-another, not separated by angles or sharp edges. Dorsum of head finely and sometimes quite densely weakly longitudinally rugulose, the individual rugulae poorly defined and low; without an occipital reticulum. Ground-sculpture between the rugulae a quite conspicuous dense punctulation or dense shagreening. Dorsal alitrunk finely reticulate-punctate and without rugulose sculpture; the punctulation usually blanketing, fine and dense, but sometimes with smooth patches on the pronotum or mesonotum and always with the individual punctures larger and more sharply defined on the propodeum than elsewhere. Dorsal surfaces of petiole and postpetiole varying from densely finely punctulate to almost smooth, but never with rugulose sculpture. First gastral tergite finely punctulate or superficially shagreened, at least on the basal half. Dorsal surfaces of head and first gastral tergite with scattered short standing hairs. These may be very sparse on the first gastral tergite but a few always appear to be present. Dorsal surfaces of alitrunk, petiole and postpetiole usually without hairs but sometimes 1-2 pairs may be present on the pronotum and one pair may be developed on each of the pedicel segments. Scapes and tibiae only with minute appressed pubescence. Colour uniform medium to dark brown.

Type Material
Bolton (1980) - Syntype workers, SOUTH AFRICA: Natal, Park Rynie, iv.1914 (H. W. B. Marley) [examined].

Tetramorium latens Holotype worker, RHODESIA: Bulawayo, Matjesumhlope, 14.xii.1946 (G. Arnold) [examined]. Syn. n.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Arnold G. 1917. A monograph of the Formicidae of South Africa. Part III. Myrmicinae. Annals of the South African Museum. 14: 271-402.
 * Forel A. 1914. Formicides d'Afrique et d'Amérique nouveaux ou peu connus. Bulletin de la Société Vaudoise des Sciences Naturelles 50: 211-288.
 * IZIKO South Africa Museum Collection
 * 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.