Tetramorium kelleri

Hita Garcia, F. & B. L. Fisher, 2012, The ant genus Tetramorium Mayr (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the Malagasy region - taxonomic revision of the T. kelleri and T. tortuosum species groups., Zootaxa 3592, pp. 1-85 : 8

Tetramorium kelleri species group

Diagnosis

Eleven-segmented antennae; anterior clypeal margin medially impressed; frontal carinae well-developed and usually running to posterior head margin; anterior face of mesosoma weakly developed; margination between lateral and dorsal mesosoma very weakly developed, sides round smoothly onto dorsum; propodeal spines always long to extremely long, and spinose; propodeal lobes short, triangular, and blunted or acute; petiolar node clublike, anterodorsal margin situated lower and much less pronounced than posterodorsal margin, in profile approximately as long as high, in dorsal view distinctly longer than wide; postpetiole globular to subglobular; mandibles strongly sculptured; sculpture on head, mesosoma, and waist segments distinct and predominantly reticulate-rugose; gaster unsculptured, smooth, and shiny; whole body covered with numerous, very long, fine, standing hairs; sting appendage spatulate.

Comments

The recently (Hita Garcia & Fisher, 2012) proposed T. kelleri species group contains T. kelleri and the new species T. ankarana . It is mainly distributed in the north and west of Madagascar, as well as on Nosy Be and Mayotte, and both species prefer forested habitats.

Other Tetramorium species from a different species group are unlikely to be confused with T. ankarana or T. kelleri. The possession of 11-segmented antennae and the very conspicuous petiolar node shape clearly distinguish them from all other Malagasy species groups.

Key to species of the T. kelleri species group (workers)

1. Species with smaller eyes (OI 20); relatively longer antennal scapes (SI 101-104); and long propodeal spines (PSLI 35-38) (Figs. 1, 2).................................................................................. T. ankarana

Species with larger eyes (OI 24-26); relatively shorter antennal scapes (SI 89-99); and extremely long propodeal spines (PSLI 49-68) (Figs. 3, 4)............................................................................... T. kelleri