Tetramorium dichroum

Tetramorium dichroum has been recorded from grassland with trees, and also in Karoo vegetation. This species nests in the soil and feeds on seeds.

Identification
Tetramorium dichroum is the only species in this solidum-group lacking ammochaete hairs. In the solidum-group, there are three species with abundant hairs covering the dorsal surfaces of the whole body, namely, T. rothschildi, T. peringueyi, and T. dichroum. Tetramorium rothschildi is easily separated from these species by having branched hairs. Tetramorium dichroum is morphologically similar to T. peringueyi in that they are the only species in the solidum-group that have simple abundant hairs covering the entire body. These are the only species in the group that have erect hairs on the dorsal surfaces of the hind tibia. Tetramorium dichroum can be easily distinguished from T. peringueyi by the absence of erect hairs on the antennal scapes, whereas in T. peringueyi erect hairs are present on the scapes, similar in appearance to those on the tibiae (Myanyana, 2013).

Distribution
Tetramorium dichroum has been recorded from South Africa (Eastern Cape, southern parts of the Free State, Northern Cape and Western Cape).

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

Biology
It has been recorded from grassland with trees, and also in Karoo vegetation. This species nests in the soil and feeds on seeds. Pitfall trapping and turning over rocks have been used to collect these ants.

Nomenclature

 *  dichroum. Tetramorium solidum st. dichroum Santschi, 1932a: 388 (w.) SOUTH AFRICA. Subspecies of peringueyi: Prins, 1973: 11. Raised to species: Bolton, 1980: 245.