Tetramorium rufescens

Nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
Mbanyana et al. (2018) - The description of this species matches that of Bolton (1980), except for colour. We observed some variation in the specimens examined, ranging from red to light brown, in those collected at certain localities in South Africa (Klein Pella) and Namibia (Kamanjab, Luderitz District, Daberas, Hobatere, Epupa Falls).

The following character combination distinguishes T. rufescens from Tetramorium glabratum and Tetramorium signatum: dorsum of mesosoma with dense reticulate punctate sculpture and propodeal spines long and narrow (PSLI 16–23).

Distribution
Tetramorium rufescens has been recorded from South Africa (Western Cape, Northern Cape, Gauteng, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu Natal); and Namibia.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Namibia, South Africa.

Habitat
Known from Drakensberg Montane Grasslands, Kalahari Xeric Savanna, Nama Karoo, the Namib Desert, Namibian Savanna Woodlands and Succulent Karoo.

Nomenclature

 *  rufescens. Tetramorium solidum st. rufescens Stitz, 1923: 163 (w.) NAMIBIA. Raised to species: Bolton, 1980: 249.

Worker
Mbanyana et al. (2018) - (N = 13) HL 0.983–1.200 (1.065); HW 0.954–1.151 (1.021); SL 0.708–0.856 (0.772); EL 0.266–0.325 (0.291); PH 0.393–0.570 (0.460); PW 0.610–0.777 (0.678); WL 1.003–1.141 (1.101); PSL 0.167–0.236 (0.206); PTH 0.315–0.403 (0.348); PTL 0.275–0.325 (0.305); PTW 0.295–0.425 (0.343); PPH 0.315–0.418 (0.362); PPL 0.226–0.291 (0.259); PPW 0.369–0.521 (0.433); OI 27–30 (29); CI 91–100 (96); SI 73–81 (76); DMI 57–69 (62); LMI 36–50 (42); PSLI 16–23 (19); PeNI 46–61 (50); LPeI 78–100 (88) DPeI 97–127 (112); PpNI 59–75 (64); LPpI 59–77 (72); DPpI 154–188 (167); PPI 121–133 (127).

Type Material
Mbanyana et al. (2018) - Syntypes. Namibia: 3 pinned workers, Swakopmund, 12–19 Apr. 1911, W. Michaelsen leg. (: FOCOL2082 to FOCOL2084).

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Bolton B. 1980. The ant tribe Tetramoriini (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). The genus Tetramorium Mayr in the Ethiopian zoogeographical region. Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History). Entomology 40: 193-384.
 * IZIKO South Africa Museum Collection
 * Koch F., and K. Vohland. 2004. Ants along a southern African transect - a basis for biodiversity change monitoring (Insecta, Hymenoptera, Formicidae). Zoosystematics and Evolution 80(2): 261-273.
 * Marsh A. C. 1985. Forager abundance and dietary relationships in a Namib Desert ant community. S. Afr. J. Zool. 20: 197-203.
 * Marsh A. C. 1986. Ant species richness along a climatic gradient in the Namib Desert. Journal of Arid Environments 11: 235-241.
 * Marsh A. C. 1986. Checklist, biological notes and distribution of ants in the central Namib Desert. Madoqua 14: 333-344.
 * Mbanyana N. 2013. Taxonomy, phylogeny and biogeography of seed-harvesting ants in the Tetramorium solidum-group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Masters of Science in the Department of Botany and Zoology at Stellenbosch University 115 pages.
 * Mbanyana N., F. Hita Garcia, H. G. Robertson, and J. J. Le Roux. 2018. A taxonomic revision of seed harvester ants of the Tetramorium solidum group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in southern Africa. European Journal of Taxonomy 454: 1-59.
 * Robertson H. G. 2000. Formicidae (Hymenoptera: Vespoidea). Cimbebasia Memoir 9: 371-382.