Tetramorium belgaense

Identification
Bolton (1977) - The queen is similar to Tetramorium eleates but the known range of this species does not overlap that of belgaense. The queens of the two species are separated by the following characters:

T. belgaense Postpetiole reticulate-rugose Tergite of postpetiole in profile much higher than long Eyes larger, maximum diameter c. 0.38 Scapes relatively longer, SI 85 (with HW 0.80, HL 0.86)

T. eleates Postpetiole dorsum smooth Tergite of postpetiole in profile about as long as high Eyes smaller, maximum diameter c. 0.22 Scapes relatively shorter, SI 76 (with HW 0.82, HL 0.86)

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Nigeria. Oriental Region: India.

Nomenclature

 *  belgaense. Tetramorium (Xiphomyrmex) belgaense Forel, 1902c: 238 (q.) INDIA. Bolton, 1979: 174 (w.). See also: Bolton, 1977: 79.

Queen
Bolton (1977) - TL 4.6, HL 0.86, HW 0.80, CI 93, SL 0.68, SI 85, PW 0.80, AL 1.36.

Mandibles striate. Antennal scrobes strongly developed, with an acute and marked dorsal margin; the frontal carinae continuing back almost to the occipital margin, well behind the lateral ocelli. Eyes large, maximum diameter c. 0.38. Alitrunk in dorsal view with the pronotal angles rounded, not prominent. Propodeum armed with a pair of long spines, the metapleural teeth about half as long as these spines, acute and upcurved. Node of petiole in profile roughly rectangular, higher than long, with the dorsum evenly but shallowly convex. Node of postpetiole feebly anteroposteriorly compressed, much higher than long, convex above. In dorsal view both nodes distinctly broader than long, maximum width of petiole and postpetiole respectively c. 0.36, 0.50. Dorsum of head coarsely longitudinally rugose with a few scattered cross-meshes. Pronotum reticulate-rugose, the remainder of the dorsal alitrunk sculptured as the head but the individual rugae lower and rounded, much less well defined. All surfaces of both pedicel segments coarsely reticulate-rugose, the gaster smooth and unsculptured. All dorsal surfaces of head and body with numerous stout hairs which are blunt apically. Colour reddish brown, the legs and antennae lighter, yellowish brown, the gaster darker red-brown.

Type Material
Bolton (1977) - Holotype female, INDIA: Belgaum (Wroughton) [examined].

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Bolton B. 1977. The ant tribe Tetramoriini (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). The genus Tetramorium Mayr in the Oriental and Indo-Australian regions, and in Australia. Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History). Entomology 36:67-151.
 * Forel A. 1902. Myrmicinae nouveaux de l'Inde et de Ceylan. Rev. Suisse Zool. 10: 165-249.
 * Forel A. 1903. Les Formicides de l'Empire des Indes et de Ceylan. Part X. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 14: 679-715.