Tetramorium nodiferum

Identification
Bolton (1980) - This distinctive species appears closest related to Tetramorium jauresi and Tetramorium qualarum. The three together are isolated within the group by their possession of a median clypeal notch or impression, absent elsewhere in the group. Tetramorium nodiferum is quickly separated from the other two by its lack of frontal carinae and distinct transverse rugular sculpture on the propodeum. The head of T. nodiferum is long and narrow, with CI 78-79, and the antennal scapes are short, SI 67-68. These two characters, taken together, will serve to isolate T. nodiferum from most other Tetramorium of this region. Very few species have CI as low as that just quoted. Amongst those which approach T. nodiferum in CI value are most members of the bicarinatum-group as represented in Africa, the species of the dumezi-group and some members of the setigerum- and sericeiventre-groups, but in these the scapes are usually longer than in T. nodiferum.

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

Nomenclature

 *  nodiferum. Atopomyrmex nodifer Emery, 1901f: 115 (footnote), fig. (w.q.) CAMEROUN. Combination in Atopula: Emery, 1912b: 104; in Tetramorium: Bolton, 1976: 362. See also: Bolton, 1980: 349.

Worker
Bolton (1980) - TL 4.4-4.6, HL 1.08-1.12, HW 0.84-0.88, CI 78-79, SL 0.56-0.60, SI 67-68, PW 0.60-0.64, AL 1.22-1.30 (2 measured).

Mandibles smooth and shining, with scattered small pits. Anterior clypeal margin with a shallow but conspicuous median notch. Frontal carinae very short, ending in front of the level of the anterior margins of the eyes ; sometimes extended posteriorly by a rugula but this is not differentiated from other rugulae on the head in any way and there is no discernible carina present. Eyes relatively small for a member of this group, maximum diameter 0.17-0.18, about 0.20-0.21 x HW and with 9-10 ommatidia in the longest row. Antennal scrobes absent but the head showing a very faint and feeble shallow concavity between the dorsal margin of the eye and the dorsum of the head proper. Head in full-face view long and narrow, the scapes short (CI and SI, above). Metanotal groove feebly impressed in profile, the propodeum behind it shallowly convex and armed posteriorly with a pair of short blunt teeth. Metapleural lobes long and broad, plate-like, much more conspicuous than the propodeal teeth. Petiole in profile and dorsal view strongly nodiform. Dorsum of head and sides above the eyes with fine but quite sharply defined, low, spaced-out longitudinal rugulae. Spaces between the rugulae with a fine superficial ground-sculpture. Pronotal dorsum smooth or at most with a few very faint rugulae towards the lateral margins. Mesonotum mostly or entirely smooth, usually with a few faint longitudinal rugulae. Propodeal dorsum conspicuously transversely rugulose. Dorsal surfaces of petiole and postpetiole unsculptured or with the faintest vestiges of superficial punctures. Gaster unsculptured or with an exceptionally delicate superficial reticulate pattern basally, so fine that it can scarcely be termed sculpture. All dorsal surfaces of head and body with numerous relatively short curved hairs which are suberect to decumbent and curve across the surface from which they arise; the head and alitrunk dorsally also having some relatively longer, stouter, straighter hairs which are erect or suberect. Scapes and tibiae only with short decumbent to appressed fine pubescence. Colour uniform dark brown to blackish brown, sometimes with a very dull reddish tint.

Type Material
Bolton (1980) - Syntype workers, female, CAMEROUN (L. Conradt) [worker examined].

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Bernard F. 1953. La réserve naturelle intégrale du Mt Nimba. XI. Hyménoptères Formicidae. Mémoires de l'Institut Français d'Afrique Noire 19: 165-270.
 * Emery C. 1912. Études sur les Myrmicinae. [I-IV.]. Annales de la Société Entomologique de Belgique 56: 94-105.