The Ants of Africa
Genus Tetraponera
Tetraponera braunsi (Forel)

Tetraponera braunsi (Forel)

return to key {link to the Hymenoptera Name Server} Type location South Africa (Sima Braunsi n. sp., Forel, 1913a: 112, worker & queen; in Tetraponera, Wheeler, 1922: 797), Willowmore, Cape, collector Dr H Brauns
subspecies durbanensis (Sima Braunsi For. v. durbanensis n. var., Forel, 1914d: 218, worker) from South Africa, Durban, Natal, collector G Arnold
unavailable name equidentata from South Africa (Sima (subgenus Tetraponera) clypeata Emery race Braunsi Forel var. equidentata, n. v., Arnold, 1916: 184, illustrated, clypeus only, worker) Cape Town
worker & queen only described (see Bolton, 1995) .


{Tetraponera braunsi}Forel's (1913a) description is at {original description}. Forel's (1914d) description of durbanensis is at {original description}. Arnold (1916: 184-5) gave an illustrated translation of braunsi, durbanensis and equidentata; this is at {original description}.

Arnold (1916: 184) had Sima (subgenus Tetraponera) clypeata Emery race Braunsi Forel as black (as is clypeata)
var. equidentata n. v., presumably black but not stated, as smaller, TL 3.5-4 mm, than braunsi and having the clypeus with three equisized teeth
var. durbanensis Forel as entirely dark ochreous yellow, head alitrunk and gaster smooth and shining.


Tetraponera braunsiThe photomontage of the type worker is collated from http://www.antweb.org/specimen.do?name=casent0907470.


Tetraponera clypeata equidentataThe photomontage of the type worker of clypeata equidentata is collated from http://www.antweb.org/specimen.do?name=casent0902816.


Tetraponera braunsi durbanensisThe photomontage of a syntype worker of durbanensis is collated from http://www.antweb.org/specimen.do?name=casent0902815.


{Tetraponera braunsi durbanensis}The photomontage of a syntype worker of "durbanensis" is collated from http://www.antweb.org/specimen.do?name=casent0281881. Comparing this with the type description of Forel (1913a): assuming the scale is correct, the TL is ca 5.0 mm cf 3.9-4.4 mm (Forel 1914d gave the durbanensis TL as 3.4 mm); the occiput is strongly rounded, not feebly convex; the eyes are ca 1/3 head length, not 1/4; this is yellow-brown not black. A review would probably lead to this being elevated to species status or being new species

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