Tetramorium pulchellum

Known from rainforest and montane forest litter-samples.

Identification
A member of the Tetramorium scabrosum-species group.

Bolton (1977) - In the scabrosum-group two of the New Guinean species, pulchellum and Tetramorium scabrosum, are conspicuous by their relatively coarse reticulate-rugulose cephalic sculpture. The two are easily separable as in scabrosum the pronotal corners are distinctly angular whilst in pulchellum they are rounded. In the remainder of the group (not New Guinean species) the sculpture of the head tends to be predominantly or entirely longitudinal to the level of the posterior margins of the eyes, any strong reticulation which is present being restricted to the occipital region.

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

Nomenclature

 *  pulchellum. Tetramorium pulchellum Emery, 1897c: 586, pl. 15, fig. 28 (w.) NEW GUINEA. See also: Bolton, 1977: 118.

Worker
Bolton (1977) - TL 2.8-3.0, HL 0.64-0.68, HW 0.58-0.62, CI 88-91, SL 0.48-0.54, SI 80-85, PW 0.46-0.50, AL 0.82-0.86 (6 measured).

Mandibles striate, anterior clypeal margin entire. Frontal carinae strong, extending back well beyond the level of the posterior margins of the eyes but not reaching the occiput. Antennal scrobes conspicuous. Maximum diameter of eye c. 0.14-0.16, about 0.23-0.26 x HW. In dorsal view the pronotal corners broadly rounded, not at all angular. Propodeal spines short, broad and acute, elevated and slightly upcurved. Metapleural lobes generally broad and more or less rounded or very bluntly rounded-triangular. Petiole in profile with the dorsal surface as long as or slightly longer than the height of the tergal portion of the node, in dorsal view the node slightly broader than long. Head quite coarsely and very conspicuously reticulate-rugulose dorsally, the rugular cross-meshes occurring from the level of the anterior margins of the eyes at least, and usually with some in front of this level. Ground sculpture a feeble and inconspicuous punctulation. Dorsal alitrunk strongly reticulate-rugulose, this sculpture extending onto the petiole and postpetiole though weaker on the former and yet weaker on the latter; gaster unsculptured. All dorsal surfaces of head and body with abundant fine hairs of varying length which are erect, suberect or subdecumbent. Dorsal (outer) surfaces of hind tibiae with numerous long hairs, predominantly suberect; the antennal scapes also with erect but shorter hairs. Colour uniform brown, the legs yellowish.

Type Material
Bolton (1977) - Syntype workers, New Guinea: Berlinhafen and Friedrich-Wilhelshafen (L. Biro) (probably in ).