Trichomyrmex lameerei Forel 1902

Trichomyrmex lameerei (Forel, 1902)

Fig. 9 A–C

Holcomyrmex lameerei Forel, 1902a: 150 (workers). Algeria. Palearctic, syntype worker [examined], (Lectotype here designated; Hamada between Houderat, Sahara Algeria, A. Forel (CASENT0249871) (MHNG); paralectotype worker with same data as the lectotype (CASENT0249870) [examined].

Holcomyrmex lameerei – Santschi 1907: 327 (q.m.).

Monomorium lameerei – Emery 1908: 673.

Monomorium (Equestrimessor) lameerei – Santschi 1919: 92. Monomorium (Xeromyrmex) lameerei – Emery 1922: 177.

Trichomyrmex lameerei – Ward, Brady, Fisher & Schultz, 2015: 16. – Bolton 1987: 297.

Material examined Previous records

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: w, Dibba, 25.62˚ N, 56.27˚ E, alt. 19 m, Mar. 1995, Collingwood leg.; w, Lahbab-al-Madam, 24.97˚ N, 55.77˚ E, alt. 173 m, 12 Mar. 2005, A.V. Harten leg.; w, Sharjah, 25.32˚ N, 55.51˚ E, alt. 24 m, 11–17 Oct. 2004, A.V. Harten leg. (all material in KSMA).

Description of worker MEASUREMENTS. TL 4.06–4.50; HL 0.95–1.09; HW 1.00–1.15; SL 0.53–0.75; EL 0.16–0.18; ML 1.25–1.40; PW 0.60–0.61; PTL 0.30–0.31; PTW 0.21–0.25; PPL 0.17–0.23; PPW 0.27–0.30; CI 105–106; EI 16;

SI 53–65 (CASENT0249870, CASENT0249871).

HEAD. Broader than long, with emarginated posterior margin, rounded corners and feebly convex sides; anterior clypeal margin feebly concave; eyes of moderate size (EL 0.15–0.16 × HW) with 12 ommatidia in longest row; scapes when laid back from their insertions fail to reach posterior margin of head.

MESOSOMA. Metanotal groove impressed; propodeal dorsum 1.5 × longer than propodeal declivity in profile.

PETIOLE. Peduncle long; two small lateral projections at junction between node and peduncle seen in dorsal view; petiolar node high and rounded in profile.

PILOSITY. Underside of head with abundant long J-shaped hairs forming a distinct psammophore; cephalic surface with sparse short hairs directed inward to midline of head; anterior clypeal margin with abundant long hairs; scapes with sparse appressed pubescence; funiculus with dense appressed pubescence; mesosoma with abundant short hairs, few longer pairs on pronotum and mesonotum; petiole with abundant short hairs; postpetiole with about seven pairs of long hairs directed backward; gaster with few sparse long hairs and abundant appressed pubescence.

SCULPTURE. Cephalic surface finely and densely longitudinally costulate; mandibles longitudinally rugulose; mesosomal dorsum finely transversely costulate; petiolar node nearly smooth and slightly shining; postpetiolar dorsum irregularly longitudinally rugulose; gaster smooth and shining.

COLOUR. Head, mesosoma, petiole, postpetiole and appendages reddish brown, gaster dark brown or blackish brown.

Differential diagnosis

Separation is given under T. chobauti.

Ecological and biological notes

One paralectotype specimen is mounted with a seed between mandibles which indicates a granivorous feeding habitat of this species.

Distribution

This species was described from Algeria and recently recorded from United Arab Emirates (Collingwood et al. 2011).