Triglyphothrix rothschildi Forel, 1907: 134 Bolton 1976: 334 A taxonomic revision of seed harvester ants of the Tetramorium solidum group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in southern Africa Mbanyana, Nokuthula Garcia, Francisco Hita Robertson, Hamish Gibson Roux, Johannes Jacobus Le European Journal of Taxonomy 2018 2018-08-07 454 1 59 55PSV (Forel, 1907) Forel 1907 [564,1023,1768,1795] Insecta Formicidae Tetramorium Animalia Hymenoptera 37 38 Arthropoda species rothschildi   Figs 2C, 19, 24      Triglyphothrix rothschildi Forel, 1907: 134(included in   Bolton1976: 334).    Diagnosis   Tetramorium rothschildiis the only species in the  T. solidumgroup with branched hairs ( Fig. 2C, 19).    Material examined    Holotype  ETHIOPIA: pinned worker, Harar,  1 Mar.1905, Maurice de Rothschild leg. ( MNHN: CASENT0915429).  Other material   TANZANIA(27 pinned workers): Mkomazi Game Reserve, Kisimapitfall site, 4°01′30″ S, 38°02′27″ E, lightly wooded on red laterite soil, dominant trees   Acacia mellifera,  A.reficiens,  A. senegaland  A. zanzibarica,  2–4 Jan. 1997, G. McGavinleg. (SAM-HYM-C011140);  Mkomazi Game Reserve, Ibaya, 3°58′ S, 37°48′ E,  18 Nov. 1994, grassland, pitfall traps, A. Russell-Smithleg. (SAM-HYM-C009595);  Mkomazi Game Reserve, on top of Kisima Mountain, 4°06′ S, 38°05′ E,  1 Dec. 1995, nest entrance in the open (round with no crater of soil around), mountain top grassland with scattered trees and bushes, H.G. Robertsonleg. (SAM-HYM-C008700);  Ibaya Game Reserve,  1 Nov. 1995, H.G. Robertsonleg. ( CASENT0248479).   KENYA: foragers, Laikipia District, Mpala Research Centre, 0.29° N, 36.90° E,  1650 ma.s.l.,  7 Oct. 1999,   Acaciawoodland, on ground, R.R. Snellingleg. ( CASC: CASENT0217078);  Narok, Rift Valley, Maasai Mara National Reserve, Mara River, riverbank close to Serena Lodge, 1.42478° S, 34.9099° E,  1493 ma.s.l., hand collected on the ground, savannah, FHG00030,  1 Jul. 2007, F. Hita Garcialeg. ( BMNH: CASENT0764432, CASENT0764433, CASENT0764435).   GHANA: Tumu,  25 Dec. 1969, P. Roomleg. ( BMNH: CASENT0764594, CASENT0790132).  Measurements(worker N =5) HL 1.033 –1.131(1.068); HW 1.072 –1.259(1.121); SL 0.698 –0.797(0.745); EL 0.197 –0.226(0.212); PH 0.541 –0.600(0.570); PW 0.659 –0.757(0.708); WL 0.934 –1.141(1.060); PSL 0.216 –0.285(0.252); PTH 0.325 –0.413(0.378); PTL 0.315 –0.374(0.342); PTW 0.354 –0.433(0.384); PPH 0.354 –0.413(0.385); PPL 0.285 –0.334(0.299); PPW 0.393 –0.492(0.444); OI 18–21 (19); CI 102–111 (105); SI 63–70 (67); DMI 64–72 (67); LMI 48–58 (54); PSLI 21–26 (24); PeNI 53–57 (54); LPeI 85–97 (91); DPeI 107–117 (112); PpNI 56–66 (63); LPpI 73–81 (78); DPpI 133–172 (149); PPI 105–122 (116).    Distribution This species is known from Ethiopia, Tanzania, Kenyaand Ghana.    Remarks   Tetramorium rothschildiwas first placed in the genus  Triglyphothrixbecause of its branched pilosity ( Bolton 1976). After Bolton (1985)revised the status of  Triglyphothrix, he placed this species in the  T. solidumgroup because of the deep indentation on the anterior clypeal margin. Despite Bolton’s decision and our current treatment of this species as a member of the  T. solidumgroup, we are not at all convinced that this species is a genuine member of the group. It is possible that  T. rothschildirepresents a convergent evolutionary lineage and the similarities in morphology are based on a similar granivore lifestyle. However, at present, it is not possible to address this question without a molecular phylogenetic framework. This species has been recorded from Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Ghanaand Tanzania.  Tetramorium rothschildihas been found nesting in red laterite soils; nests sometimes have grass husks around the entrance. Pitfall traps and hand collecting methods have been used to collect this species. 2611461320 1905-03-01 MNHN Maurice de Rothschild leg Ethiopia Harar 39 40 CASENT0915429 1 1 Harar holotype 3899602576 1997-01-02 1997-01-04 1997-01-02 Acacia mellifera, A. & G. McGavin Tanzania -4.025 Kisima 21 38.040833 Mkomazi Game Reserve 39 40 1 1 3899602584 1994-11-18 A. Russell-Smith -3.9666667 Ibaya 1307 37.8 Mkomazi Game Reserve 39 40 1 3899602549 1995-12-01 H. G. Robertson -4.1 Kisima Mountain 1307 38.083332 Mkomazi Game Reserve 39 40 1 3899602343 1995-11-01 CASENT H. G. Robertson Ibaya Game Reserve Ibaya Game Reserve 39 40 CASENT0248479 1 3899602543 1999-10-07 CASC R. R. Snelling Kenya 1650 0.29 Acacia 785 36.9 Mpala Research Centre 39 40 CASENT0217078 1 Laikipia District 3899602307 2007-07-01 BMNH F. Hita Garcia 1493 -1.42478 Maasai Mara National Reserve 5 34.9099 Rift Valley 39 40 CASENT0764432, CASENT0764433, CASENT0764435 1 Narok 3899602597 [189,1302,1024,1051] 1969-12-25 BMNH P. Room Ghana Tumu 39 40 CASENT0764594, CASENT0790132 1