Tapinolepis (Mesanoplolepis) new species sp Benin RVA 2949

Type locality Benin, worker.

TL ca 2.4 mm, HW 0.5, HL 0.63, SL 0.58, PW 0.32; CI 81 SI 117; eyes large, EL 0.19; mandibles with five large, dark teeth; propodeum shallowly domed with 135° angle; alitrunk and head posterior to clypeus without erect hairs, gaster with spaced out apical hairs on all segments, legs and antennae without hairs; entire body covered with very fine, extremelt short decumbent pubescence, giving a lustrous appearance; colour brownish-yellow but gaster with distinctive large pale areas on the dorsum, laterally dark brown.

Senegal worker: TL ca 3.0 mm, HW 0.67, HL 0.77, SL 0.75, PW 0.44; CI 85, SI 111; EL 0.24;

Oxford University Museum specimens

Tapinolepis (Mesanoplolepis) n sp Benin RVA 2949 B Taylor det.	Benin J-F Vayssieres RVA 2949	11.ix.2012 Korobourou 09°22'13'' N 02°40'16'' E	Mangifera indica orchard Quadrat 4, tube A, variété: Kent Ground nesting	2
Tapinolepis (Mesanoplolepis) n sp (Benin RVA 2949) B Taylor det.	Senegal Lamine Diamé 53	07.iv.2012 Thiés 14°45'N 17°03'W	Sortie S. pluies tube 01	1

The photomontage is of a worker from Benin, Korobouro; collector J-F Vayssieres (RVA2949). Collected with replete workers (photographed but not mounted).

The photomontage is of a second worker from Benin, Korobouro; collector J-F Vayssieres (RVA2949). HW 0.38, HL 0.49, SL 0.50

The photomontage is of a replete worker from Benin, Korobouro; collector J-F Vayssieres (RVA2949)

The photomontage is of a worker from Senegal, Korobouro; collector J-F Vayssieres (53)