Tetramorium (Decamorium) decem Forel

Tetramorium (Decamorium) decem Forel, 1913a PDF: 121 (w.) ZIMBABWE. Afrotropic. Primary type information: ZIMBABWE, Redbank, 19.98333 S, 28.37759 E, 7.IV.1912 (G. Arnold); CASENT0909196; MHNG AntCat AntWiki HOL

Taxonomic history

Lectotype designation: Hita Garcia & Fisher, 2014a PDF: 78.Arnold, 1917 PDF: 350 (q.m.).Combination in Decamorium: Wheeler, 1922: 906.Combination in Tetramorium: Hita Garcia & Fisher, 2014c PDF: 78.Status as species: Arnold, 1917 PDF: 349; Wheeler, 1922: 906; Emery, 1924f PDF: 289; Weber, 1952a PDF: 29; Bolton, 1976 PDF: 298; Bolton, 1995b: 168; Hita Garcia et al., 2013 PDF: 211; Hita Garcia & Fisher, 2014a PDF: 78 (redescription).

[[ worker ]]. Differe du type par le thorax entierement et fortement strie dessus avec de gros points. L'intervalle des aretes frontales est aussi entierement strie, mais finement. L'occiput plus densement ponctue, chaque point est plus rapproche de son voisin que son diametre. (plus eloigne chez le type).

[[ queen ]]. Differe par les memes caracteres que la [[ worker ]], le mesonotum densement strie et submat.

Congo belge: Uele, Vankerkhovenville (Degreef) (Mus. Ter-vueren).

The distribution range of Tetramorium decem is far smaller than previously thought (Fig. 3). Indeed, most of the material listed in the literature as Tetramorium decem or labelled as such in museum collections turned out to be either Tetramorium ultor or Tetramorium venator, while only a few collections proved to be genuine Tetramorium decem. Based on the redefined species definition, Tetramorium decem is only known from the type locality in Zimbabwe and two additional localities in East Africa: Arabuko Sokoke in Kenya and Mkomazi in Tanzania. Nevertheless, if more extensive sampling efforts are undertaken in East Africa, Tetramorium decem is likely to be found in more localities in Kenya, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe. Like Tetramorium uelense and Tetramorium ultor, Tetramorium decem prefers arid habitats, such as savannah and woodland. Based on Arnold (1917) and the collection label from some material from Arabuko Sokoke, Tetramorium decem nests in sandy soil. The diet consists of termites, as with most other members of the species group.