Tapinoma longiceps Wheeler new status
Type location Zaïre (Tapinoma luridum Emery
subspecies longiceps, new subspecies, Wheeler, 1922: 209,
worker); worker only described (see Bolton, 1995)
 .
Wheeler's (1922) description was -
WORKER - 2.5 to 3 mm. Larger than the typical form and the
subspecies connexum Santschi and differing also in the
following characters. The head is longer, narrower behind and the
posterior border is straight, not convex, as figured by Santschi
for connexum, nor concave, as described by Emery for the
type. The anterior clypeal border is straight in the middle, not
feebly notched, and the scapes surpass the occipital border by
nearly a third of their length. The eyes are decidedly smaller
than in either of the other forms of the species. The thorax and
petiole agree with Santschi's figure of connexum. The body
is uniformly lustrous or moderately shining, the pilosity as
described by Emery for the type, the pubescence exceedingly fine
so that it somewhat dims the shining surface. The colour is
uniformly brown, except the tarsi, which are pale brownish yellow.
Described from numerous specimens found by Lang, Chapin, and
Bequaert nesting in a deserted carton termitarium on a tree on the
forested bank of the Congo River at Zambi. This form is so
distinct that it may prove to be an independent species."
The photomontage of a cotype of Tapinoma longiceps from
Zaïre, is collated from the MCZ, Harvard University,
website at -
MCZ
link.
With the availability of the MCZ images and the Fisher material
of what clearly is
Tapinoma
luridum, I believe that the subspecies is worthy of full
species status. From the description, it appears also to be a very
close match (albeit slightly smaller) to that of
Tapinoma menozzii
Donisthorpe (TL 3.7 mm). If so, the latter would become a
junior synonym of longiceps.
Bernard (1952) reported longiceps from Guinea; 4
workers from Mt. Nimba, Station F 35, Zouépo. |
 The
photomontage is of a worker from Gabon; Pongara National
Park, South Point Ngombé, 0°17'558"N 9°18'270"E,
11.vi.2006, malaise trap at edge of lagoon, collector Yves Braet.
Other images can be seen in the folder at -
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