Tetramorium cuneinode

A specimen was collected from evergreen forest.

Identification
A member of the Tetramorium tonganum-species group.

Bolton (1977) - The shape of the petiole seen in this small species is unique in the regions at present under discussion. It resembles most closely the shape found in some members of the African squaminode-group, but in these the sting appendage is spatulate, not dentiform as in cuneinode. The closest relative of cuneinode appears to be Tetramorium seneb, a species known from Malaya and Java, but here the petiole is nodiform and not modified as described.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: Thailand. Palaearctic Region: China.

Nomenclature

 *  cuneinode. Tetramorium cuneinode Bolton, 1977: 126, fig. 56 (w.) THAILAND.

Worker
Holotype. TL 2.5, HL 0.56, HW 0.54, CI 96, SL 0.36, SI 67, PW 0.38, AL 0.68.

Mandibles striate; anterior clypeal margin entire. Frontal carinae weak, scarcely more strongly developed than the remaining cephalic sculpture; extending back beyond the level of the eyes but posteriorly blending with the other cephalic sculpture. Antennal scrobes feeble but discernible, scapes short. Eyes of moderate size, maximum diameter 0.14, about 0.26 x HW. Propodeal spines in profile quite long, slightly upcurved at the extreme apex. Metapleural lobes elongate-triangular and acute. Node of petiole wedge-shaped in profile, broadest below and narrowing strongly above (Fig. 56), the dorsal and posterior faces fused into a single steep surface which is feebly convex. Postpetiole rounded and normal. In dorsal view the petiole node much broader than long. Dorsum of head predominantly longitudinally rugulose to level of posterior margins of eyes, behind this finely reticulate-rugulose. Dorsal alitrunk reticulate-rugulose. Petiole, post petiole and gaster unsculptured. Dorsal surfaces of head and body with numerous fine hairs but antennal scapes and dorsal (outer) surfaces of hind tibiae with only short, subdecumbent to decumbent pubescence, without long hairs. Colour uniform yellow-brown, the appendages lighter than the body.

Paratypes. TL 2.3-2.6, HL 0.54-0.58, HW 0.50-0.56, CI 92-96, SL 0.34-0.38, SI 67-69, PW 0.36-0.40, AL 0.62-0.70 (4 measured). Maximum diameter of eye c. 0.13-0.14. Otherwise as holotype.

Type Material
Holotype worker, Thailand: Nong Hoi, 19.vii.1975 (D. Jackson). Paratypes. 3 workers with same data as holotype and 1 worker with same data but collected 20.vii.1975 (BMNH; ).