Key to Tetramorium species groups of Kakamega, Kenya

This worker key is based on: [[Media:Hita Garcia et al 2010.pdf|Hita Garcia, F.; Fischer, G.; Kück, P.; Thormann, B.; Peters, M. K. 2010. Tetramorium boehmei sp. n. – a new ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) species from the Kakamega Forest, Western Kenya. Bonn Zoological Bulletin. 57:359-366. [2010-11]]]

The following key to species groups is adapted from Bolton (1976, 1980) and specific for the Kakamega Forest, though it also works for Western Kenya in general.

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 * Tetramorium
 * Kenya

1

 * Whole body covered with regularly branched hairs, either bifid or trifid, giving the ant a woolly or furry appearance. . . . . . 2


 * Hairs generally simple, rarely bizarrely modified, but never regularly branched bifid nor trifid as above . . . . . 3

2
return to couplet #1
 * Antennae 11-segmented; elongate simple hairs present along the antennal scapes and upper borders of the frontal carinae . . . . . Tetramorium ericae group


 * Antennae 12-segmented; elongate simple hairs absent along the antennal scapes and upper borders of the frontal carinae . . . . . Tetramorium gabonense group

3
return to couplet #1
 * Antennae 11-segmented. . . . . . 4


 * Antennae 12-segmented. . . . . . 5

4
return to couplet #3
 * Petiolar node squamiform to high nodiform, never blocky nodiform with sharply defined angles . . . . . Tetramorium weitzeckeri group


 * Petiolar node strongly blocky nodiform, generally with sharply defined angles . . . . . Tetramorium angulinode group

5
return to couplet #3
 * Lateral portion of clypeus prominent, raised to a tooth or crest in full-face view; in dorsal view the lateral clypeal portions rise to a high peak in front of the antennal insertions and then slope down towards the median part of the clypeus. . . . . . Tetramorium sericeiventre group


 * Lateral portion of clypeus not modified as above. . . . . . 6

6
return to couplet #5
 * Antennal scapes very long (always SI > 120); frontal carinae weakly developed and short, at most reaching the posterior eye margins. . . . . . Tetramorium aculeatum group


 * Antennal scapes distinctly shorter than above (always SI < 110); frontal carinae variable. . . . . . 7

7
return to couplet #6
 * Propodeum armed with a pair of small triangular teeth or denticles which at most are as large as the propodeal lobes. . . . . . 8


 * Propodeum armed with a pair of medium-sized to long spines which are noticeably larger than the propodeal lobes. . . . . . 12

8
return to couplet #7
 * Anterior clypeal margin with median impression . . . . . Tetramorium dumezi group (in part - also )


 * Anterior clypeal margin entire. . . . . . 9

9
return to couplet #8
 * Tibiae with short appressed pubescence. . . . . . 10


 * Tibiae with subdecumbent to erect pilosity or pubescence. . . . . . 11

10
return to couplet #9
 * Hairs on dorsal mesosoma and gaster usually sparse, short, stout, and blunted . . . . . Tetramorium simillimum group


 * Hairs on dorsal mesosoma and gaster usually numerous, elongate and fine . . . . . Tetramorium quadridentatum group

11
return to couplet #9
 * Frontal carinae long, usually reaching occiput. . . . . . Tetramorium dumezi group (in part - also )


 * Frontal carinae short and weakly developed, ending at eye level . . . . . Tetramorium convexum group

12
return to couplet #7
 * Anterior clypeal margin with median impression. . . . . . 13


 * Anterior clypeal margin entire, without a median impression. . . . . . 14

13
return to couplet #12
 * Occipital region of head variably rugose, rugulose or unsculptured, rarely with few anastomoses, without a rugo-reticulum . . . . . Tetramorium camerunense group


 * Occipital region of head distinctly rugo-reticulate. . . . . . Tetramorium bicarinatum group

14
return to couplet #12
 * Eyes larger, at least 9 ommatidia in the longest row . . . . . Tetramorium setigerum group


 * Eyes smaller, at most 7 to 8 ommatidia in the longest row . . . . . Tetramorium flabellum group