Tetramorium duncani Mbanyana, Robertson & Hita Garcia sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 6F687F00-D1C3-4DB9-8B3D-A588A1ED5A8F

Figs 3N, 10, 24

Diagnosis

Morphologically, T. duncani sp. nov. is similar to T. pogonion, T. rufescens and T. signatum, but can be distinguished from these species by the acute angle between the dorsum of the petiole and the posterior face when viewed laterally (Fig. 3N).

Etymology

Named after Duncan Robertson, who assisted with field work, including photography of ants.

Material examined

Holotype

NAMIBIA: worker, Withuis, 11 km N of Grunau on B1, 27°36.447′ S, 18°23.920′ E, 1243 m a.s.l., 3 Apr. 2011, N. Mbanyana and H.G. Robertson leg. (SAM-HYM-C027003).

Paratypes (9 pinned workers)

NAMIBIA: Withuis, 11 km N of Grunau on B1, 27°36.447′ S and 18°23.920′ E, 1243 m a.s.l., 3 Apr. 2011, N. Mbanyana and H.G. Robertson leg. (SAM-HYM-C027003); Withuis, 11 km N of Grunau on B1, 27°36.504′ S and 18°23.823′ E, 1241 m a.s.l., 2 Apr. 2011, N. Mbanyana and H.G. Robertson leg. (SAM-HYM-C027004); Withuis, 11 km N of Grunau on B1, 27°36.447′ S and 18°23.920′ E, 1243 m a.s.l., 3 Apr. 2011, N. Mbanyana and H.G. Robertson leg. (SAM-HYM-C027010); Kyffhauser, 24°28.708′ S and 16°20.148′ E, 1381 m a.s.l., 6 Apr. 2011, N. Mbanyana and H.G. Robertson leg. (SAM-HYM-C027013); ca 132 km from Mariental on M29, 25°16.795′ S, 18°37.635′ E, 18 Apr. 2011, N. Mbanyana and H.G. Robertson leg. (SAM-HYM-C027001).

Other material

SOUTH AFRICA (2 pinned specimens): Northern Cape: Breekkierie dunes, 30°07′ S, 21°33′ E, 4 May 1985, M.A. Macpherson leg. (SAM-HYM-C001771); Kortkop farm near Strydenburg, 30°09′ S, 23°44′ E, 17 Jun. 1995, B. Chambers leg. (SAM-HYM-C008763).

Measurements (worker N =5)

HL 1.033 –1.266 (1.132); HW 1.033 –1.266 (1.116); SL 0.723 –0.865 (0.798); EL 0.297 –0.362 (0.320); PH 0.374 –0.482 (0.452); PW 0.672 –0.840 (0.716); WL 1.072 –1.382 (1.168); PSL 0.148 –0.187 (0.163); PTH 0.325 –0.433 (0.358); PTL 0.297 –0.336 (0.318); PTW 0.323 –0.413 (0.364); PPH 0.465 –0.607 (0.519); PPL 0.284 –0.336 (0.310); PPW 0.413 –0.555 (0.475); OI 27–31 (29); CI 97–100 (99); SI 68–75 (71); DMI 59–63 (61); LMI 35–44 (39); PSLI 12–17 (15); PeNI 48–54 (51); LPeI 78–96 (89); DPeI 104–123 (115); PpNI 62–69 (66); LPpI 54–68 (60); DPpI 139–168 (153); PPI 128–134 (130).

Description

Holotype (worker)

Mandibles with fine longitudinal striations. Anterior clypeal margin with conspicuous, semicircular indentation. Frontal carinae fading out before reaching back of posterior eye margin. Eyes with 16 ommatidia in longest row. Propodeum armed with pair of long spines (PSLI 12–17). Metapleural lobes low, rounded. Peduncle lacking subpetiolar process. Petiolar node in profile nodiform, with anterior face rounding onto dorsum and dorsum forming acute angle with posterior face. Postpetiolar node low and rounded. Dorsal surfaces of head with longitudinal striations, spaces between them with superficial ground sculpture. Dorsum of mesosoma with short longitudinal striations, with shiny superficial ground sculpture in between them. Petiolar and postpetiolar nodes with fine reticulate sculpture overlain by few irregular striations. Gastral tergite with fine, superficial reticulate pattern. Dorsum of head with four long erect pairs of hairs. Ventral surface of head with strongly developed psammophore. Remaining dorsum of the body without any standing hairs. Colour blackish brown.

Distribution

Known from Namibia and South Africa (Northern Cape), where these specimens were collected from Namibian Savanna Woodlands and Kalahari Xeric Savanna. Specimens collected by hand (including in nets) and from pitfall traps.