Tetramorium candidum

Identification
Bolton (1980) - In the dumezi-complex of this group two species, T. candidum and Tetramorium isipingense, are isolated by the possession of erect to suberect short pubescence on the hind tibiae. They also have similar pubescence on the leading edges of the antennal scapes. Other members of the complex have either short stiff blunt hairs on the scapes (Tetramorium elidisum), or minute decumbent pubescence (Tetramorium dumezi, Tetramorium pialtum), but none of these have tibial pubescence as described above. The two are quickly separated as in T. candidum the gaster is smooth and shining whilst in T. isipingense it is finely and densely punctulate. Apart from this the hairs on the dorsal alitrunk are longer in T. isipingense, the longest of them at least as long as the maximum eye diameter and often greater, whilst in T. candidum they are markedly shorter.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya.

Nomenclature

 *  candidum. Tetramorium candidum Bolton, 1980: 345, fig. 124 (w.m.) DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO.

Worker
Holotype: TL 3.1, HL 0.75, HW 0.63, CI 84, SL 0.50, SI 79, PW 0.47, AL 0.90. Paratypes (13 measured): TL 3.1-3.3, HL 0.74-0.80, HW 0.62-0.67, CI 82-85, SL 0.48-0.52, SI 76-79, PW 0.46-0.50, AL 0.90-0.94. Maximum diameter of eye 0.16-0.17, about 0.25-0.26 x HW.

Mandibles smooth and shining with scattered minute pits. Anterior clypeal margin without a median notch; the clypeus with 3 widely spaced fine longitudinal carinae, the median absent on the anterior half (reaching the anterior margin in most paratypes, and some of them with an extra pair of weak carinae). Frontal carinae not stronger than cephalic rugulae, broken or interrupted near the base in holotype and most paratypes, continuous in some and uneven in others, with one side continuous, the other broken. Frontal carinae extending back beyond level of eyes but much weaker occipitally and tending to merge with the other sculpture before reaching the margin. Antennal scrobes vestigial. Maximum diameter of eye 0.16, about 0.25 x HW and with 8-9 ommatidia in the longest row. Head in full-face view with sides more or less straight and parallel, not evenly shallowly convex. Propodeum merely with an angular ridge separating dorsum from declivity in profile, or with a minute tubercle (in holotype with angular ridge on left side and minute tubercle on right side of body; in paratypes with one or the other, or with both as in holotype). Metapleural lobes elongate-triangular, elevated, narrow and acute apically, always much longer and broader than the propodeal armament. Node of petiole in profile rounded, without sharp angles, the posterodorsal angle more broadly rounded than the anterodorsal. In dorsal view the node subglobular, slightly broader than long, rounded. Dorsum of head with low, blunt but quite strongly developed longitudinal rugulae, without cross-meshes and without an occipital reticulum. Ground-sculpture almost effaced, the spaces between rugulae glossy and at most with only the faintest of superficial patterns. Dorsal alitrunk very weakly, irregularly and sparsely longitudinally rugulose on promesonotum, the sculpture almost entirely effaced. Ground-sculpture minimal and vestigial. Petiole with a few faint rugulae but postpetiole and gaster unsculptured, smooth and shining. All dorsal surfaces of head and body with numerous short fine acute hairs, the longest of which are distinctly shorter than the maximum diameter of the eye. Leading edges of antennal scapes with suberect to subdecumbent short pubescence. Dorsal (outer) surfaces of hind tibiae with erect or suberect fine short pubescence. Colour light brown, the appendages yellowish brown.

Paratypes: As holotype but with the variation noted above and with some lighter brown. In some the feeble rugulae on the dorsal alitrunk are slightly more sharply defined and the ground-sculpture of the alitrunk may be somewhat more conspicuous, though still being very feeble indeed. The petiole node in dorsal view varies from being about as broad as long to slightly broader than long.

Type Material
Holotype worker, Zaire (‘B. Congo’ on data label): Lwiro River, 47 km N. of Bukavu, 1950 m, 27.viii.1957 (E. S. Ross & R. E. Leech). Paratypes. 13 workers and 2 males with same data as holotype (CASC; ; ).