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

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: A9FED9EF-D2F9-43FE-9A9B-20026D908BBF

Figs 3D, 15, 24

Diagnosis

Tetramorium lerouxi sp. nov. is distinguished from all other species of the T. solidum group by its unique petiolar node, which has posterior, lateral, rounded extentions; in posterior view, the dorsal margin is straight and angulate with respect to the lateral margin (Fig. 3D).

Etymology

Named after Dr Jaco Le Roux who supervised and helped with molecular genetic work on the T. solidum group, which helped to confirm the validity of this species.

Material examined

Holotype

SOUTH AFRICA: Northern Cape: worker, Melton Wold, 31.46741° S, 22.721550° E, 1333 m a.s.l., 7 Jan. 2009, N. Mbanyana and H.G. Robertson leg. (SAM-HYM-C023330).

Paratypes

SOUTH AFRICA: 2 pinned workers, same collection data as for holotype (SAM-HYM-C023329).

Other material

SOUTH AFRICA: Orange Free State, Oranjekrag, 30°36′0″ S, 25°30′0″ E, 20 Mar. 1969, A.A. Boonzaaier leg. (AM-HYM-C015315).

Measurements (worker N =2)

HL 1.080 –1.151 (1.115); HW 1.151 –1.210 (1.180); SL 0.767 –0.738 (0.752); EL 0.275 –0.285 (0.280); PH 0.570 –0.580 (0.575); PW 0.713 –0.767 (0.740); WL 1.180 –1.190 (1.185); PSL 0.207 –0.216 (0.211); PTH 0.452 –0.462 (0.457); PTL 0.295 –0.299 (0.297); PTW 0.446 –0.482 (0.464); PPH 0.443 –0.452 (0.447); PPL 0.334 –0.354 (0.344); PPW 0.572 –0.600 (0.586); OI 24 (24); CI 105–107 (106); SI 61–67 (64); DMI 60–65 (62); LMI 48–49 (49); PSLI 18–20 (19); PeNI 63 (63); LPeI 65 (65); DPeI 149–163 (156); PpNI 78–80 (79); LPpI 74–80 (77); DPpI 162–179 (171); PPI 124–128 (126).

Description

Holotype (worker)

Mandibles predominantly smooth with fine striations basally. Anterior clypeal margin with extensive and deep indentation. Frontal carinae absent. Eyes with 15 ommatidia in longest row. Propodeal spines long and acute (PSLI 18–20). Metapleural lobes low and rounded. Peduncle with broad keel-shaped subpetiolar process. Petiole in profile nodiform, with anterior face slightly more steeply angled with blunt corners. In dorsal view, petiolar node shaped almost rectangular broadening posteriorly with rounded corners and narrowing anteriorly with prominent blunt corners (Fig. 3D). Postpetiole low and rounded both in dorsal view and in profile. Dorsum of head with fine longitudinal striations. Spaces between striations with very fine reticulate ground sculpture. Dorsal surfaces of mesosoma and petiole with fine reticulate sculpture. Postpetiolar node predominantly smooth, with fine reticulate sculpture in places. Gastral tergite with fine reticulate sculpture. Numerous hairs on anterior clypeal margin. Dorsum of head with two pairs of erect hairs. Dorsum of mesosoma, nodes and first gastral tergite without any erect hairs, with only sparse white pubescence. Ventral surface of head with psammophore. Colour uniformly black.

Distribution

This species is only known from South Africa, where it has been collected in Melton Wold near Victoria West in the Northern Cape and from Oranjekrag in the Free State.