Tetramorium fergusoni

Nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
Bolton (1977) - Unique in the tetramoriine fauna of the Oriental and Indo-Australian regions as it is the only one to have 12-segmented antennae matched with a spatulate sting appendage. In the Ethiopian region two species-groups (squaminode-group and grassii-group) show this combination, but in both of these the frontal carinae tend to be strongly developed, and in the former group the petiole node is markedly squamiform. Thus fergusoni stands quite alone at the present time, an obscure and poorly known species whose affinities are not at all apparent.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: India.

Nomenclature

 *  fergusoni. Tetramorium fergusoni Forel, 1902c: 234 (w.) INDIA. See also: Bolton, 1977: 91.

Worker
Bolton (1977) - TL 2.8-3.0, HL 0.68-0.70, HW 0.66-0.68, CI 97, SL 0.46-0.50, SI 70-74, PW 0.44-0.46, AL 0.76-0.78 (2 measured).

Mandibles striate; anterior clypeal margin entire and the median portion equipped with a narrow but quite distinct lamelliform apron or flange. Median portion of clypeus flat. Frontal carinae very short, ending just behind the level of the posterior margin of the clypeus. A few weak rugulae may arise from the apices of the frontal carinae and these are directed strongly laterally, the most posterior of them directed towards the midlength of the inner margin of the eye. Antennal scrobes completely absent. Maximum diameter of eyes c. 0.14. Propodeal spines in profile stout, quite long, acute and more or less straight; metapleural lobes low and rounded. Petiole in profile with a long anterior peduncle and a high, quite narrow and roughly rectangular node. In dorsal view both nodes distinctly broader than long. Lamelliform appendage of sting spatulate and in line with the long axis of the sting shaft. Dorsum of head with widely spaced but quite numerous straight, feeble, longitudinal rugulae, spaces between them shining. Dorsal surfaces of alitrunk and petiole mostly shining but with faint scattered rugulation; dorsum of post petiole and entire gaster unsculptured. Short erect or suberect hairs numerous on all dorsal surfaces of head and body, and also on the leading edges of the scapes and the dorsal (outer) surfaces of the middle and hind tibiae. Some hairs on dorsum of body flattened from side to side. Colour uniform orange-yellow.

Type Material
Bolton (1977) - Syntype workers, India: Travancore, lviii, 76 (Ferguson) [examined].