Tapinoma mkomaziae Taylor new species

WORKER DESCRIPTION: TL ca 1.5 mm; similar to Tapinoma minimum but with larger eyes and thicker scapes; eyes moderate and flat, set with the anterior point equal to the length of the eye back from the anterior margin of the head; anterior margin of clypeus near straight; antennal scape reaching the occiput; occipital margin distinctly convex; propodeum in profile with transition from dorsum to declivity rounded, the declivity flat; the scapes with quite dense pubescence; overall appearance weakly shiny; dark yellow brown and darker on apex of gaster and funiculi.

TL ca 1.5 mm, HL 0.40, HW 0.33, CI = 113, SL 0.30, SI = 81, EL = 0.10, OI = 22; PW 0.23; holotype only found.
Type location: Tanzania, Mkomazi Game Reserve, 3°54.75' S 37°48.58' E, pkd collection from Terminalia brownii Fresen, Tree 3-68, 8.iv.1995, by G McGavin.

Name derived from the type location, Mkomazi Game Reserve, Tanzania.

Specimen deposited in the Oxford University Museum of Natural History.

Oxford University Museum specimens

Tapinoma mkomaziae B Taylor det.

Tanzania G McGavin tree 3-68

8.iv.1995 Mkomazi 3°54.75' S 37°48.58' E

pkd collection from Terminalia brownii

1

The photomontage is of the holotype.