Tetraponera schulthessi (Santschi)

Ward, Philip S., 2022, The ant genus Tetraponera (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the Afrotropical region: taxonomic review and key to species, Zootaxa 5102 (1), pp. 1-70 : 59

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]).

Figures

FIGURES 28–30. Tetraponera natalensis group, workers, full-face (dorsal) view of head (a) and lateral profile of body (b). 28, T. natalensis, Mozambique (CASENT0794194); 29, T. redacta, holotype, Kenya (CASENT0863363); 30, T. schulthessi, South Africa (CASENT0794193). Images from AntWeb (www.antweb.org); photographers Matthew Prebus (28, 30), Phil Ward (29).

FIGURES 41–46. Distribution maps for Afrotropical Tetraponera. 41, T. andrei (circles), T. anthracina (triangles), T. insularis (square); 42, T. caffra (circles), T. redacta (triangles); 43, T. mocquerysi (circles), T. schulthessi (triangles); 44, T. natalensis (circles), T. setosa (triangle); 45, T. aethiops (circles), T. kosi (triangle); 46, T. latifrons (circles).