Tetramorium cynicum

Besides a collection record noting a specimen of this species was found in forest, nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
Bolton (1977) - T. cynicum appears to be derived from a pacificum-like ancestor but it has certainly developed far enough away from the parent stock to be regarded now as a separate species, endemic in and apparently restricted to the Philippines. In many respects cynicum parallels Tetramorium validiusculum, a New Guinea-based sibling of Tetramorium pacificum which seems to have developed along similar lines. However, in this species the clypeal notch is feeble, the clypeus does not have a very steep anterior half and this position of the clypeus is not or only extremely feebly transversely concave. The petiole node is longer and lower in validiusculum and the posterodorsal angle, though pronounced, does not appreciably overhang the posterior face of the node. All in all, cynicum and validiusculum appear to be two species descended from the same basal stock, but the first has been more profoundly modified than the second, away from the characters shown by modern pacificum.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Indo-Australian Region: New Guinea, Philippines.

Nomenclature

 *  cynicum. Tetramorium cynicum Bolton, 1977: 97, figs. 19, 20 (w.) PHILIPPINES.

Worker
Holotype. TL 4.7, HL 1.10, HW 0.98, CI 89, SL 0.84, SI 95, PW 0.66, AL 1.20.

Mandibles smooth, unsculptured except for scattered pits. Anterior clypeal margin with a strongly developed median notch. Clypeus with three strong carinae on the median section, the anterior half of which slopes very steeply and is transversely concave. Frontal carinae strong, reaching back almost to the occiput and surmounted by a low, vertical flange or ridge which is semi translucent, highest anteriorly, shallowest posteriorly. Eyes prominent, maximum diameter C. 0.22. Occipital margin concave medially in full-face view, the sides feebly convex. Pronotal corners angular in dorsal view; metanotal groove absent, not impressed in profile. Propodeal spines elongate, narrow and acute, feebly upcurved. Metapleural lobes triangular and acute. Petiole in profile with the tergal portion slightly higher than long; anterior and dorsal faces meeting through a curve, not separated by an angle. Dorsum convex and sloping upwards posteriorly so that the posterodorsal angle is higher than the point at which the dorsum meets the anterior face. Posterior face slightly concave so that the posterodorsal angle is prominent and overhangs the posterior face (Fig. 20). Post petiole in profile strongly convex. Dorsum of head with sparse, widely scattered longitudinal rugulae without any cross-meshes but with a few anastomoses close to the occiput. Spaces between rugulae broad and smooth, almost devoid of ground sculpture; what little there is being very inconspicuous so that the head is glossy. Pronotum reticulate-rugose, the meshes breaking down centrally; mesonotum mostly unsculptured, with a few faint longitudinal rugulae; propodeum with widely spaced rugosity. Petiole and postpetiole reticulate-rugose everywhere. Gaster unsculptured. All dorsal surfaces of head and body with numerous long, erect or suberect hairs. Colour yellow-brown.

Paratypes. TL 4.1-4.8, HL 0.92-1.10, HW 0.82-0.98, CI 86-90, SL 0.72-0.86, SI 86-95, PW 0.54-0.66, AL 1.06-1.26 (20 measured including largest and smallest). Maximum diameter of eye c. 0.18-0022 so that the maximum diameter is about 0.22-0.23 x HW. As holotype but in some specimens the propodeal spines are straight and the mesonotum completely smooth. In many specimens the median clypeal carina is absent from the steeply sloping anterior portion of the clypeus.

Type Material
Holotype worker, Philippines: Dumaguete, 29.iv.24 (J. W. Chapman). Paratypes. Philippines: 17 workers with same data as holotype; 12 workers, Dumaguete, 1500 ft (J. W. Chapman); 3 workers, Dumaguete, 13.iv.27 (J. W. Chapman) (MCZC; ; ).

More material of this species is present in, (Chapman coll.), but much of it is in rather poor condition. The localities of this material include Dumaguete, Cuernos Mts and Horns of Negros, all collected by Chapman in the Philippines.