Tetraponera schulthessi (Santschi)

(Figs 30, 43)

Sima Schulthessi Santschi 1915: 249 . Syntype, 1 alate queen, Rikatla, Delagoa, Mozambique (Junod) (NHMB) [examined]. Imaged on AntWeb: CASENT0915539.

Tetraponera schulthessi (Santschi); Wheeler 1922b: 800. Combination in Tetraponera .

Sima schulthessi Santschi; Santschi 1928: 58. Description of worker.

Tetraponera schulthessi (Santschi); Ward 1990: 489. Combination in Tetraponera .

Tetraponera schulthessi (Santschi); Chomicki et al. 2015: figure S1. Placement in molecular phylogeny.

Worker measurements (n = 11). HW 1.38–1.68, HL 1.49–1.87, LHT 1.14–1.36, CI 0.87–0.93, FCI 0.09–0.14, REL 0.40–0.44, REL2 0.43–0.49, SI 0.50–0.54, SI3 1.02–1.23, FI 0.38–0.45, PLI 0.61–0.80, PWI 0.61–0.80, LHT/ HW 0.79–0.85, CSC 3–13, MSC 3–28.

Worker diagnosis. Large species, with moderately broad head (CI 0.87–0.93) and relatively small eyes (REL 0.40–0.44, REL2 0.43–0.49); posterior margin of eye not attaining the level of the lateral ocelli; frontal carinae variably adjacent, the minimum distance between them about 0.10× head width or more (FCI 0.09–0.14) and about onefifth to one-quarter of scape length (MFC/SL 0.16–0.28); scapes of moderate length (SI 0.50–0.54, SI2 0.44–0.50), equal to or greater than eye length (SI3 1.02–1.23); anterior clypeal margin broadly and weakly convex, with a short median denticle, flanked by 2–3 smaller denticles on each side, sometimes ill-defined (Fig. 30a); profemur relatively slender (FI 0.38–0.45); mesonotum bounded posteriorly by a transverse impression, often quite weak; distinct metanotal plate not present, although anterior extremity of propodeum with a weakly differentiated arched-transverse area in some individuals; dorsal face of propodeum flattened, laterally submarginate, longer than declivitous face and rounding insensibly into the latter; petiole of moderate length and height (PL/HW 0.67–0.77; see also PLI and PWI values), dorsolaterally submarginate, and with an anteroventral tooth; in profile, petiolar node with steep anterodorsal face and more gently sloping posterodorsal face (Fig. 30b); postpetiole about as long as broad. Head and mesosoma densely punctulate-coriarious, matte. Standing pilosity sparse to moderately common (CSC 3–13, MSC 3–28, HTC+MTC 0–10); fine but dense pubescence covering most of body. Yellow- to orange-brown, with tip of gaster infuscated.

Comments. Workers of Tetraponera schulthessi can be distinguished from other yellow- or orange-brown species in the T. natalensis group ( T. caffra, T. natalensis, T. redacta) by their large size (HW 1.38–1.68, LHT 1.14–1.36) and small eyes relative to head width (REL2 0.43–0.49).

Distribution and biology. This is a common east African species, occurring from Kenya to South Africa, in savanna woodlands, semideciduous forest, rainforest, coastal thicket, and mangroves. It is broadly sympatric with the closely related T. natalensis, yet remains distinct from it. Tetraponera schulthessi is a generalist dead-twig inhabitant, with nest records from Afaelia quanzensis, Allophyllus, Ficus, Sclerocarya birrea, “thorny shrub”, “vine”, and unidentified woody plants.

Material examined (CASC, FHGC, KUES, LACM, MCZC, NHMB, PSWC, SAMC, UCDC, USNM). Kenya: Kilifi: 20 km WSW Malindi, 20 m (Ward, P. S.); Arabuko Sokoke Forest, 50 m (Hita Garcia, F.; Fischer, G.); Gedi Natl. Monument, 5 m (Ward, P. S.); Karacha Forest, 16 mi N Kilifi (Irwin, M. E.; Ross, E. S.); Sokoke Forest (Hogue, C.; Williams, J.); Kwale: Diani Beach [as “ Diana Beach ”] (Krauss, N. L. H.); Mozambique: Cabo Delgado: 24.5 km 346° from Pemba, 20 m (Fisher, B. L.; et al.); 26.7 km 353° from Pemba, 120 m (Fisher, B. L.; et al.); 9.5 km 297° from Pemba, 20 m (Fisher, B. L.; et al.); Namoto forest, 35 m (Fisher, B. L.; et al.); Namoto forest, 40 m (Fisher, B. L.; et al.); P.N. Quirimbas, Mareja Res., 125 m (Fisher, B. L.; et al.); P.N. Quirimbas, Mareja Res., 180 m (Fisher, B. L.; et al.); P.N. Quirimbas, Taratibu, 300 m (Fisher, B. L.; et al.); P.N. Quirimbas, Taratibu, 325 m (Fisher, B. L.; et al.); P.N. Quirimbas, Taratibu, 505 m (Fisher, B. L.; et al.); Quiterajo forest, 100 m (Fisher, B. L.; et al.); Maputo: Rikatla, Delagoa (Junod); Sofala: 3.5 km SE Chitengo, Gorongosa Natl. Park, 40 m (Ward, P. S.); Chitengo, Gorongosa Natl. Park, 40 m (Ward, P. S.); Tete: Chiuta Dist., Ruoni North, 324 m (Hawkes, P.; Fisher, J.); Zambézia: 37 km N Quelimane, 70 m (Alpert, G. D.); 57 km N Quelimane, 70 m (Alpert, G. D.); Mt. Mabu, 375 m (Fisher, B. L.; et al.); South Africa: KwaZulu-Natal: Abu Madi Game Ranch, 200 m (Ward, P. S.); Mkuze Game Reserve (Robertson, H. G.); Mkuze Game Reserve, at rest camp (Robertson, H. G.); Mkuze Game Reserve, Mantuma Rest Camp (Robertson, H. G.); Mkuze Game Reserve, near Malibali Hide (Robertson, H. G.); Umfolozi Game Res. (Crewe, R. M.); Umfolozi Game Res. (Crewe, R. M.); Limpopo: Hans Merensky Nat. Res. (Kimsey, R. B.); Mpumalanga: Blyderivierspoort Nat. Res., Swadene (Kimsey, R. B.); Mariepskop, 705 m (Alpert, G. D.); Tanzania: Lindi: Rondo Forest Reserve, 870 m (Hawkes, P.; Mlacha, Y.; Ninga, F.); Pwani: 14 km NW Kisiju, 20 m (Ward, P. S.); Tanga: Amani (Williams, F. X.); Amani, 950 m (Ward, P. S.); Kange, near Tanga, 50 m (Ward, P. S.); Zimbabwe: Matabeleland North: Sawmills (c.u. [probably Arnold]).