Technomyrmex nigriventris

This small species forages mainly in the leaf litter and topsoil, but may also ascend low vegetation. In Nigeria it has been found nesting under a flake of bark near the base of a living tree, but presumably it also nests in rotten wood in the topsoil as it occurs in leaf litter samples. A very few intercastes between worker and queen castes are known but do not appear to be developed as frequently as in Technomyrmex moerens, Technomyrmex pallipes or others of the group. (Bolton 2007)

Identification
Bolton (2007) - Related to Technomyrmex albipes and its immediate allies but is distinguished by its colour pattern, distribution of setae on the head and small size, the first of these being the most obvious when compared to other Afrotropical congeners.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Cameroun, Central African Republic, Congo, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda.

Nomenclature

 *  nigriventris. Technomyrmex nigriventris Santschi, in Forel, 1910f: 22 (footnote) (w.) CONGO. See also: Bolton, 2007a: 30.

Worker
Bolton (2007) - TL 2.2 - 2.7, HL 0.52 - 0.62, HW 0.46 - 0.56, SL 0.46 - 0.58, PW 0.32 - 0.36, WL 0.72 - 0.84 (10 measured). Indices: CI 88 - 92, SI 100 - 108, OI 26 - 29, EPI 52 - 67, DTI 126 - 132.

Frontal carina with 2 setae: in profile the first above the torulus and the second at about the level of the midlength of the eye. Dorsum of head posterior to this entirely lacks setae. Anterior margin of clypeus with a small, shallow median indentation. Posterior margin of head in full-face view almost transverse, medially flattened or extremely shallowly concave. With head in full-face view the eyes located relatively anteriorly (EP1 < 70). their outer margins just fail to break, or just break, the outline of the sides. Mesosoma in profile with mesonotum evenly curve and metanotal groove impressed, Propodeal dorsum short, much shorter than depth of declivity to spiracle; dorsum meets declivity in a blunt angle. Number of setal pairs on mesosoma: pronotum 2, length about equal to maximum diameter of eye; mesonotum 1, shorter than pronotal setae; propodeal dorsum 0; lateral margin of propodeal declivity usually with 1. Gastral tergites 1 - 4 each with numerous setae, the longest on the first tergite about equal to the maximum diameter of the eye or slightly shorter. Head, mesosoma, petiole and legs yellow to brownish yellow, the head often darker than the mesosoma. Gaster dark brown, much darker than the mesosoma and petiole and strongly contrasting to them.

Type Material
Bolton (2007) - Syntype workers, Congo: Brazzaville (Weiss) [examined].