Tetramorium rothschildi

Tetramorium rothschildi has been found nesting in red laterite soils; sometimes nests have grass husks around the entrance.

Identification
Mbanyana et al. (2018) - Tetramorium rothschildi is the only species in the T. solidum group with branched hairs.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Ethiopia, Kenya.

Habitat
Known from grassland and open woodland areas with laterite soil.

Nomenclature

 *  rothschildi. Triglyphothrix rothschildi Forel, 1907c: 134 (w.) ETHIOPIA. Menozzi & Consani, 1952: 67 (q.m.). Combination in Tetramorium: Bolton, 1985: 247. See also: Bolton, 1976: 334.

Mbanyana et al. (2018) - Tetramorium rothschildi was first placed in the genus Triglyphothrix because of its branched pilosity (Bolton 1976). After Bolton (1985) revised the status of Triglyphothrix, he placed this species in the T. solidum group because of the deep indentation on the anterior clypeal margin. Despite Bolton’s decision and our current treatment of this species as a member of the T. solidum group, we are not at all convinced that this species is a genuine member of the group. It is possible that T. rothschildi represents a convergent evolutionary lineage and the similarities in morphology are based on a similar granivore lifestyle. However, at present, it is not possible to address this question without a molecular phylogenetic framework.

Worker
Mbanyana et al. (2018) - (N = 5) HL 1.033–1.131 (1.068); HW 1.072–1.259 (1.121); SL 0.698–0.797 (0.745); EL 0.197–0.226 (0.212); PH 0.541–0.600 (0.570); PW 0.659–0.757 (0.708); WL 0.934–1.141 (1.060); PSL 0.216–0.285 (0.252); PTH 0.325–0.413 (0.378); PTL 0.315–0.374 (0.342); PTW 0.354–0.433 (0.384); PPH 0.354–0.413 (0.385); PPL 0.285–0.334 (0.299); PPW 0.393–0.492 (0.444); OI 18–21 (19); CI 102–111 (105); SI 63–70 (67); DMI 64–72 (67); LMI 48–58 (54); PSLI 21–26 (24); PeNI 53–57 (54); LPeI 85–97 (91); DPeI 107–117 (112); PpNI 56–66 (63); LPpI 73–81 (78); DPpI 133–172 (149); PPI 105–122 (116).

Type Material
Mbanyana et al. (2018) – Holotype. Ethiopia: pinned worker, Harar, 1 Mar. 1905, Maurice de Rothschild leg. (: CASENT0915429).