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