Tetramorium bulawayense

Identification
Bolton (1980) - The four species known in the bequaerti-complex of this group are characterized by their possession of numerous standing hairs on the scapes and tibiae. Of them Tetramorium xuthum is a small dark species covered everywhere with a dense pelt of short, soft hairs, and Tetramorium bequaerti is a larger species having the lower occipital corner on each side of the head drawn out into a lobe or lug, and also having short, stout, blunt body-pilosity. The two remaining, T. bulawayense and Tetramorium hortorum, form a very close species-pair and may in fact represent two extremes of a single species. Notes on their separation are given under T. hortorum.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Zimbabwe.

Nomenclature

 *  bulawayense. Tetramorium bequaerti r. bulawayensis Forel, 1913a: 119 (w.) ZIMBABWE. Arnold, 1917: 282 (q.). Raised to species, senior synonym of bruni and material of the unavailable name mashona referred here: Bolton, 1980: 326.
 * bruni. Tetramorium bequaerti st. bruni Santschi, 1917b: 285 (w.) ZIMBABWE. Junior synonym of bulawayense: Bolton, 1980: 326.

Worker
Bolton (1980) - TL 3.0-3.5, HL 0.70-0.80, HW 0.60-0.66, CI 83-87, SL 0.62-0.72, SI 103-109, PW 0.46-0.52, AL 0.84-0.95 (25 measured).

Mandibles strongly longitudinally striate. Anterior clypeal margin entire, without a median notch or impression. Median clypeal carina distinct. Frontal carinae short, usually extending back to about the level of the midlengths of the eyes, in some individuals slightly shorter or longer. Although the frontal carinae are fine and narrow they are distinctive due to the feeble sculpture of the head. Antennal scrobes absent. Scapes long, SI > 100. Eyes moderate, maximum diameter 0.16-0.18, about 0.25-0.27 x HW. Occipital margin of head rounding into sides in full-face view; in profile the lower occipital corners rounded, not drawn out into a projecting blunt lobe or lug. Propodeal spines in profile relatively short, narrow and acute. Metapleural lobes elongate-triangular, usually about as long as the propodeal spines and running parallel to them. Petiole node in profile low and rectangular, the dorsal length greater than the height of the tergum of the node. In dorsal view the petiole node as long as or slightly longer than broad. Sculpture of head feeble, in most with a few very shallow or vestigial longitudinal rugulae and with a fine, faint superficial punctulate ground-sculpture. In some samples the ground-sculpture is more pronounced and the rugulae vestigial, whilst in many the entire sculpture is vestigial so that the head is virtually smooth dorsally. Dorsal alitrunk usually with feeble and sparse longitudinal rugulae on the promesonotum, and with faint punctulate or granular ground-sculpture. As on the head one or both of these components may be vestigial. Propodeal dorsum generally more strongly sculptured, commonly with transverse rugulae or more pronounced punctulation, or with both. Rarely this area as weakly sculptured as the promesonotum. Petiole and postpetiole usually finely punctulate, only rarely with this reduced, and also usually with fairly conspicuous rugulose sculpture also present. First gastral tergite finely sculptured, in all samples examined, at least basally. All dorsal surfaces of head and body with numerous standing hairs, quite slender, elongate and generally pointed apically. Antennal scapes, femora and tibiae with numerous spaced-out, short straight hairs projecting from the shafts. Colour varying from reddish yellow to dull red.

Type Material
Bolton (1980) - Syntype workers, RHODESIA: Bulawayo, (15).ii.1913 (G. Arnold)

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Garcia F.H., Wiesel E. and Fischer G. 2013.The Ants of Kenya (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)Faunal Overview, First Species Checklist, Bibliography, Accounts for All Genera, and Discussion on Taxonomy and Zoogeography. Journal of East African Natural History, 101(2): 127-222
 * IZIKO South Africa Museum Collection