Tapinoma mcgavini Taylor new species

WORKER DESCRIPTION: Head not much longer than wide giving a near square appearance in full face view; anterior margin of clypeus near straight; eyes small and flat, set with the anterior point less than the length of the eye back from the anterior margin of the head; antennal scape not reaching the occiput; propodeum in profile with transition from dorsum to declivity sharply defined, the declivity flat; pubescence very short and scanty; only visible erect hairs are a short pair on the anterior margin of the clypeus; yellow brown with funiculus, apart from the first segment darker grey brown, as is the gaster; smooth and shiny

TL 1.4 mm; HW 0.40, HL 0.44 , CI = 108, SL 0.32, SI = 72, PW = 0.25

Type location: Tanzania, Mkomazi Game Reserve, 3°54.75' S 37°48.58' E, pkd collection from Combretum molle, Tree 2-18, 8.iv.1995, by G McGavin.

Apparently close to Tapinoma lugubre but that is longer, TL = 1.6-1.8, and has scapes just surpassing the occipital margin.

Two specimens from same collection.

Named in recognition of the collector, Dr George McGavin.

Specimens deposited in the Oxford University Museum of Natural History.

Oxford University Museum specimens

Tapinoma mcgavini B Taylor det.

Tanzania G McGavin tree 2-18

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

pkd collection from Combretum molle

2

The photomontage is of a worker from the type location.