Technomyrmex vexatus

Technomyrmex vexatus, is only known from Ceuta, Tangier and Gibraltar. In Gibraltar it is only found in the Gibraltar Botanic Gardens or surrounding areas where a large number of exotic plants are present. Tinaut’s (1989) survey in the vicinity of Gibraltar and other expeditions in the Spanish shore of the Strait have never found it there (Guillem & Bensusan, 2008). T. vexatus has a similar distribution pattern as Stigmatomma emeryi and Anochetus ghilianii, occurring on both sides of the Strait of Gibraltar and having a very restricted range on at least one side of the strait. A genetic study (Jowers et al. 2015) suggested the distribution of A. ghilianii is not explained by this species having been present prior to the closing of a land connection between these two areas, i.e., > 5 MYA. It was more likely moved across the strait by humans. They speculated the distribution of Technomyrmex vexatus has a similar explanation.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: Gibraltar, Morocco.

Nomenclature

 *  vexatus. Tapinoma vexatum Santschi, 1919i: 220 (footnote) (m.) MOROCCO. Bolton, 2007a: 40 (w.). Combination in T. (Tapinoptera): Santschi, 1925g: 348; in Technomyrmex: Cagniant & Espadaler, 1993: 92.

Worker
Bolton (2007) - TL 3.1 - 3.4, HL 0.72 - 0.78, HW 0.68 - 0.76, SL 0.64 - 0.70, PW 0.44 - 0.48, WL 0.90 - 0.96 (10 measured). Indices: CI 94 - 99, SI 90 - 94, OI 22 - 25, EPI 68 - 76, DTI 118 - 130.

Dorsum of head behind clypeus entirely lacks setae. Anterior clypeal margin with an insignificant median indentation to almost transverse. In full-face view the posterior margin of the head very shallowly impressed and the sides shallowly convex. Eyes of moderate size, close to midlength and their outer margins just fail to break the outline of the sides. Sculpture of head very weak and superficial, an effaced microreticulation. Dorsum of mesosoma and propodeal declivity entirely lack setae. With mesosoma in profile the mesonotal dorsal outline consists of an anterior section that is short and flat to feebly convex; posterior to this the surface curves broadly and evenly into a longer, more steeply sloped posterior section that descends to the narrow metanotal groove. Propodeum in profile with a short convex dorsal surface that rounds evenly into the declivitv. the two surfaces not separated by an angle. Sculpture reduced and superficial on dorsal mesosoma and first gastral tergite; pubescence on the latter very short and sparse, not masking the surface of the sclerite. Gastral tergites 1 - 3 without setae; gastral tergite 4 with 2 - 3 pairs/resent. Scapes and tibiae without setae. Colour a uniform medium brown; the hea sometimes, and the gaster usually, very slightly darker than the mesosoma. Legs also brown, the middle and hind tarsi slightly lighter than the femora and tibiae.

Type Material
Syntype males, Morocco: Tanger, 1897 (Vaucher) [examined].