Trichomyrmex lameerei ( Forel, 1902 )

Mostafa R. Sharaf, Shehzad Salman, Hathal M. Al Dhafer, Shahid A. Akbar, Mahmoud S. Abdel-Dayem & Abdulrahman S. Aldawood, 2016, Taxonomy and distribution of the genus Trichomyrmex Mayr, 1865 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the Arabian Peninsula, with the description of two new species, European Journal of Taxonomy 246, pp. 1-36 : 19-20

Trichomyrmex lameerei ( Forel, 1902)

Fig. 9 A–C

Holcomyrmex lameerei Forel, 1902a: 150 (workers). Algeria. Palearctic, syntype worker [examined], (Lectotype here designated; Hamada between Houderat, Sahara Algeria, A. Forel (CASENT0249871) (MHNG); paralectotype worker with same data as the lectotype (CASENT0249870) [examined].

Holcomyrmex lameerei – Santschi 1907: 327 (q.m.).

Monomorium lameerei – Emery 1908: 673.

Monomorium (Equestrimessor) lameerei – Santschi 1919: 92. Monomorium (Xeromyrmex) lameerei – Emery 1922: 177.

Trichomyrmex lameerei – Ward, Brady, Fisher & Schultz, 2015: 16. – Bolton 1987: 297.

Material examined

Previous records

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: w, Dibba, 25.62˚ N, 56.27˚ E, alt. 19 m, Mar. 1995, Collingwood leg.; w, Lahbab-al-Madam, 24.97˚ N, 55.77˚ E, alt. 173 m, 12 Mar. 2005, A.V. Harten leg.; w, Sharjah, 25.32˚ N, 55.51˚ E, alt. 24 m, 11–17 Oct. 2004, A.V. Harten leg. (all material in KSMA).

Description of worker

MEASUREMENTS. TL 4.06–4.50; HL 0.95–1.09; HW 1.00–1.15; SL 0.53–0.75; EL 0.16–0.18; ML 1.25–1.40; PW 0.60–0.61; PTL 0.30–0.31; PTW 0.21–0.25; PPL 0.17–0.23; PPW 0.27–0.30; CI 105–106; EI 16;

SI 53–65 (CASENT0249870, CASENT0249871).

HEAD. Broader than long, with emarginated posterior margin, rounded corners and feebly convex sides; anterior clypeal margin feebly concave; eyes of moderate size (EL 0.15–0.16 × HW) with 12 ommatidia in longest row; scapes when laid back from their insertions fail to reach posterior margin of head.

MESOSOMA. Metanotal groove impressed; propodeal dorsum 1.5 × longer than propodeal declivity in profile.

PETIOLE. Peduncle long; two small lateral projections at junction between node and peduncle seen in dorsal view; petiolar node high and rounded in profile.

PILOSITY. Underside of head with abundant long J-shaped hairs forming a distinct psammophore; cephalic surface with sparse short hairs directed inward to midline of head; anterior clypeal margin with abundant long hairs; scapes with sparse appressed pubescence; funiculus with dense appressed pubescence; mesosoma with abundant short hairs, few longer pairs on pronotum and mesonotum; petiole with abundant short hairs; postpetiole with about seven pairs of long hairs directed backward; gaster with few sparse long hairs and abundant appressed pubescence.

SCULPTURE. Cephalic surface finely and densely longitudinally costulate; mandibles longitudinally rugulose; mesosomal dorsum finely transversely costulate; petiolar node nearly smooth and slightly shining; postpetiolar dorsum irregularly longitudinally rugulose; gaster smooth and shining.

COLOUR. Head, mesosoma, petiole, postpetiole and appendages reddish brown, gaster dark brown or blackish brown.

Differential diagnosis

Separation is given under T. chobauti .

Ecological and biological notes

One paralectotype specimen is mounted with a seed between mandibles which indicates a granivorous feeding habitat of this species.

Distribution

This species was described from Algeria and recently recorded from United Arab Emirates ( Collingwood et al. 2011).

Figures

Fig. 9. Trichomyrmex lameerei (Forel, 1902), lectotype, worker (CASENT 0249871). A. Body in profile. B. Body in dorsal view. C. Head in full-face view (photos: Shannon Hartman).