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Tetramorium severini (Emery)HNS comb. n.

(Fig. 8)

Xiphomyrmex severini EmeryHNS, 1895 b: 343. Syntype workers, Madagascar: Diego-Suarez, 1893 (C. Alluaud) (MCSN, Genoa; MHN, Geneva) [examined].

Worker. TL 4.5, HL 1.06, HW 0.94, CI 89, SL 0.76, SI 81, PW 0.72, AL 1.30.

Mandibles smooth with scattered small pits. Anterior clypeal margin with a distinct median indentation, the median clypeal carina strongly developed. Frontal carinae long and strong, the extensions forming the upper border of the scrobe which is capable of holding the scape. Metanotal groove distinct with alitrunk in profile. Propodeal spines long and acute, the metapleural lobes low and rounded. Dorsum of head with spaced-out longitudinal rugae which tend to peter out as they approach the occipital margin, the spaces between the rugae with some fine, superficial puncturation. Dorsal alitrunk mostly unsculptured and shining, with scattered, very faint, low rugulae which are almost completely effaced. Pedicel and gaster unsculptured, smooth and shining. Dorsal surfaces of head and alitrunk with scattered fine, elongate hairs, which are also present on the gastral tergites behind the first; pedicel and first gastral tergite without hairs. Colour black or blackish brown, uniform or with the gaster slightly lighter in shade than the alitrunk.

In his original description Emery was of the opinion that this species was related to andreiHNS and latreilleiHNS but this has proved not to be the case as in both those species the mandibles are striate and the petiole nodes angular and sculptured, whereas in severiniHNS the mandibles are smooth and the petiole node is rounded and unsculptured, showing that the true affinities of severiniHNS lie with the members of the schaufussi-group and particularly with the small complex of species related to cognatumHNS in which gastral pilosity is lost from the first tergite. The four species included in this complex are discussed under cognatumHNS.