Tetramorium syriacum Emery, 1922

Csösz S., Radchenko, A. & Schulz, A., 2007, Taxonomic revision of the Palaearctic Tetramorium chefketi species complex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)., Zootaxa 1405, pp. 1-38 : 1

10. Tetramorium syriacum Emery, 1922 (figs 68-71)

Tetramorium caespitum var. syriaca Emery, 1922: 277 ([[worker]]) first available use of Tetramorium caespitum var. syriaca Emery, 1909: 702 ([[worker]]); TYPE MATERIAL: HOLOTYPE [[worker]]: I. a. Brul. [/] “Jaffa” [now Tel Aviv , ISRAEL] [-] “ Tetramorium ” [/] “ caespitum . caesp.” [/] “ v. syriaca Em ” [Emery’s handwriting] (1[[worker]] / MSNG) ; raised to species rank: Collingwood 1985: 265;

Redescription of worker (figs 68-71). Morphometric data of syriacum holotype: CL: 850; CW: 835; FR: 460; FL: 470; SL: 615; ML: 940; MW: 560; PEW: 260; PEH: 285; NOH: 165; NOL: 215; PEL: 190; PPW: 290; PPL: 210; PPH: 270; SPL: 125; SPSP: 205; EL: 145; EH: 110; ED: 215; Large size, CS 832 [807, 865]. Whole body and appendages dark brown to black. Head slightly longer than broad, CL/CW 1.02 [0.99, 1.04], with slightly convex sides, straight occipital margin and rounded occipital corners. Eyes relatively small, EYE 0.162 [0.155, 0.171]. Frons very wide, FR/CS 0.50 [0.49, 0.55], frontal lobes as wide as frons, or slightly wider FL/FR 1.01 [1.00, 1.02]. Scape short, SL/CS 0.75 [0.70, 0.77], with short dorsal carina basally, strong parallel costulae extending scape. Promesonotal dorsum convex, metanotal groove shallow, but visible. Propodeal teeth long. Petiolar node cubic in profile, NOH/NOL 0.84 [0.78, 0.89], petiole relatively low, PEH/NOL 1.51 [1.43, 1.60]. General appearance coarsely rugose, ground surface microreticulate, dull. Head dorsum longitudinally rugose and microreticulate, occiput and sides rugoso-reticulate and microreticulate. Alitrunk dorsum rugoso-reticulate and coarsely microreticulate. Mesopleuron usually microreticulate. Dorsum of petiolar node rugoso-reticulate and microreticulate, dorsum of postpetiole longitudinally rugulose and microreticulate. Polygonal striation continuous on 1st gastral tergite, posteriorly disrupted. Basal part of first gastral tergite microreticulate (see fig. 7.), MRG 181.7 ±26.4 [150, 230]. Ventral surface of head with several short and few moderately long, straight, or few “C”-shape setae arising posterior to buccal cavity (see fig. 5.).

Gynes and Males are unknown.

Material examined (5 nest series, included 22 workers). ISRAEL - Migdal, Zedek , 15.02.1966. leg. Kosler (1[[worker]] / MSNM) ; TURKEY - Islahiye 7 rkm N, ca. 70km W Gaziantep , Prov. Gaziantep, 500mH 11.05.1997 leg. Schulz & K. Vock (11[[workers]] / PCAS, 6[[workers]] / HNHM) ; Sanliurfa, Camlidere 25km E Sanliurfa 500mH, Steppe 11.05.1997 leg. Schulz (4[[workers]] / PCAS) ;

Morphometrics. (23 workers measured).

Diagnosis. T. syriacum workers differ from related species by the extremely wide frons, FR/CS 0.50 [0.49, 0.55].

For further combination of morphometric characters see Table 1-2.

Distribution. This species seems to be widespread over the Middle East.