Tetramorium aculeatum species group

Based on Bolton 1980.


 * Tetramorium aculeatum (Mayr, 1866)
 * Tetramorium africanum (Mayr, 1866)
 * Tetramorium rimytyum Bolton, 1980
 * Tetramorium rotundatum (Santschi, 1924)

Key to species of the Afrotropical Tetramorium aculeatum species group.

Diagnosis
Mandibles smooth or sculptured, armed with 3 teeth apically, followed by a row of 5~7 denticles. Palp formula usually reduced from the basic tetramoriine count of 4, 3 (either 4, 2 or 3, 2; apparently 4, 3 in Tetramorium rimytyum). Anterior clypeal margin usually flattened or weakly impressed medially, less commonly entire or strongly notched. Frontal carinae weakly developed and short, ending at or in front of the level of the posterior margins of the eyes. Antennal scrobes absent. Scapes long, SI > 100. With head in full-face view the eyes prominent and the sides behind the eyes rounding broadly and evenly into the occipital margin; the latter usually convex. Metanotal groove usually impressed in profile but only feebly so in some populations. Propodeum usually armed with a pair of spines, but these may be reduced in some cases. Petiole in profile shaped as in figures; in dorsal view the node as broad as or broader than long. All dorsal surfaces of head and body clothed with numerous long fine acute hairs, the scapes and middle and hind tibiae with similar standing hairs or with standing dense pubescence.

Additional Resources

 * a list and summary of Afrotropical Tetramorium species groups
 * a list of Afrotropical Tetramorium species
 * a list of all Afrotropical ant species
 * the Tetramorium genus page

Keys

 * to determine the group affinity of a worker: Key to the Afrotropical Tetramorium species-groups
 * to determine to species a worker in the the T. aculeatum group: Key to the Afrotropical Tetramorium aculeatum species-group