Tapinoma darioi

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: Balearic Islands, France, Italy, Spain.

Nomenclature

 *  darioi. Tapinoma darioi Seifert, D'Eustacchio, Kaufmann, Centorame & Modica, 2017: 141, figs. 8-11 (w.m.) ITALY.

Worker
Significantly smaller than the other three species of the Tapinoma nigerrimum complex; CW 859 ± 158 [559, 1189] μm. Depth-to-width ratio of clypeal excision and length-to-width ratio of second funiculus segment on average larger than in the other species: ExCly / ExClyW 1.609 ± 0.265 [1.115, 2.289] and IFu2 1.948 ± 0.114 [1.679, 2.289]. Mandibles with a large apical, a less large subapical, and 9 - 11 smaller teeth homogenously distributed over the whole masticatory margin. Whole head (except for clypeus) and dorsum of mesosoma always without standing setae. Long standing setae are present on the fourth gaster tergite (rarely beginning at the 2nd), on all gaster sternites, the ventral surfaces of hind and middle coxae and the frontal and caudal face of fore coxae. Anterior margin of clypeus with several setae; the two longest and strongest are inserted at anterior corners of clypeal excision. All body surfaces with the exception of mandibles covered by an appressed, rather dense pubescence; mean distance of insertion points of pubescence hairs on central vertex of a major worker 8.5 μm. Pubescence on frontomedian vertex and clypeus more subdecumbent with 6 to 19 pubescence hairs protruding at a few micron across margin of clypeal excision. Whole body dark to blackish brown except for reddish brown or yellowish mandibles, anterior clypeus, and distal and proximal ends of tibiae in many major workers.

Male
On average smaller than in the other three species of the Tapinoma nigerrimum complex. Data of 29 individuals: CW 1.028 ± 31 [972, 1121] μm, CL / CW 0.908 ± 0.021 [0.871, 0.961], SL / CS 0.957 ± 0.026 [0.901, 1.023], ExClyW / CS 6.83 ± 1.06 [4.15, 9.39] %, ExClyW / CS 6.96 ± 0.89 [4.27, 8.83] %, dAN / CS 0.286 ± 0.008 [0.265, 0.302], EL / CS 0.322 ± 0.009 [0.300, 0.338], ML / CS 1.847 ± 0.059 [1.727, 1.976], Fu2 / CS 25.44 ± 0.72 [23.86, 27.35] %, IFu2 2.692 ± 0.129 [2.387, 2.910], ExBasi / CS 6.62 ± 0.93 [4.68, 8.93] %, WSPL / CS 23.65 ± 3.14 [16.5, 29.9] %, ALPH 60.0 ± 6.7 [44, 71] °. The genital shows in ventral aspect a very broad basimere and a broad blade-like harpago which separates very well from members of other species complexes. However, genital morphology does not offer eye-catching differences to the other species of the T. nigerrimum complex. A sufficiently clear species delimitation is only possible by multivariate analyses which consider both genital and extragenital characters.

Type Material
Holotype, a major worker on the same pin with three paratype workers, labelled "ITA: 41.69858°N, 12.34985°E, Roma, Castelporziano, 1 m, Grotta di Piastra, dune, D’Eustacchio 20140423-TLa45", "Holotype (top specimen) and paratypes Tapinoma darioi SEIFERT & al."; two paratype gynes and two paratype males on other pins with the same collecting data. Another two pins with 8 paratype workers from a nest situated 240 m east, labelled "ITA: 41.69823°N, 12.35240°E, Roma, Castelporziano, 13 m, Tor Paterno parcel, dune, under shrub, D'Eustacchio 20130614-TLa27". All material stored in SMN Görlitz.

Etymology
The new species is dedicated to Dario D'Eustaccio who has been a major protagonist in this project but did not experience its completion due to his tragic death.