Tetheamyrma BOLTON, 1991

Genera, David Emmanuel M. & Buenavente, Perry Archival C., 2018, Revision and redefinition of the crematogastrine ant genus Tetheamyrma BOLTON, 1991, with the description of a new species and the first description of the dealate queen (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), Myrmecological News 28, pp. 45-51 : 46

Genus Tetheamyrma BOLTON, 1991

Type species: Tetheamyrma subspongia BOLTON, 1991 ,

by monotypy.

Tetheamyrma in Myrmicinae : Stenammini : BOLTON 1994: 10 6, BOLTON 19 95: 4 0 3.

Tetheamyrma in Myrmicinae : Crematogastrini : WARD & al. 2015: 77.

Redescription of worker (changes in genus definition numbered)

Monomorphic ants. Head and mesosoma densely rugoreticulate dorsally, laterally, and ventrally, except for smooth genal bridge. Head pilosity composed of fine hairs of var- ying lengths and flexibility.

Antennae with 10 - 11 segments, with very large 2-segmented apical club (1). Antennal scape short, just reaching or barely exceeding posterior margin of compound eye. Antennal scrobe absent. Compound eye small, located laterally, just forward of midlength of head. Frontal carina present or absent (2). Frontal lobe wide, completely concealing torulus, wider than median part of clypeus inserted between them. Posterior median clypeus narrowly inserted between frontal lobes. Anterior clypeus medially with a pair of setae straddling midpoint. Median clypeus narrowly bicarinate. Mandible triangular.

In lateral view, palp formula 2,2 (undissected). Mesosoma in profile with smoothly convex dorsal outline. Me- tanotal groove impressed or obsolete (3). Propodeum with short, acute, triangular spines. Infradental lamella between propodeal spine and metapleural lobe present or absent (4). Propodeal lobe low and rounded. Prop- odeal spiracle conspicuous, variable in location. Petiole sculptured. Anteroventral petiolar process present. Anteroventral postpetiolar process present or absent (5). Spongiform tissue on venter of petiole, postpetiole, and first gastral sternite present or absent (6). Spine absent from mesotibia and metatibia. Sting simple and functional.

Key to the species of Tetheamyrma

BOLTON, 1991

1 Spongiform tissue absent from ventral surfaces of petiole, postpetiole, and first gastral sternite; antenna with 10 segments; frontal carina just reaching level of anterior margin of eye; anteromedian clypeus produced into a bidentate process ( Philippines) ( Figs.2a - c , 3a - c ) ......................................................... bidentata sp.n.

- Spongiform tissue present on ventral surfaces of petiole, postpetiole, and first gastral sternite; an- tenna with 11 segments; frontal carina not reaching level of anterior margin of eye; anteromedian clypeus medially emarginate but not produced into a bidentate process ( Malaysia) ( Fig. 4a - c ) .................................... subspongia BOLTON, 1991

Figures

Fig.2: Tetheamyrma bidentata sp.n. Paratype worker. (a) Full-face view; (b) lateral view; (c) dorsal view; (d) labels. Images courtesy of M. Pierce and J.T. Longino.

Fig.3: Tetheamyrma bidentata sp.n. Paratype dealate queen. (a) Full-face view; (b) lateral view; (c) dorsal view; (d) labels. Images courtesy of M. Pierce and J.T. Longino.

Fig.4: Tetheamyrma subspongia BOLTON, 1991. Holotype worker. (a) Full-face view; (b) lateral view; (c) dorsal view; (d) labels. Images courtesy of AntWeb (unidentified image creator).