Monomorium broschorum

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Monomorium broschorum
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Formicidae
Subfamily: Myrmicinae
Tribe: Solenopsidini
Genus: Monomorium
Species: M. broschorum
Binomial name
Monomorium broschorum
Sparks, 2015

Nothing is known about the biology of Monomorium broschorum.

Identification

Sparks et al. (2015) - A member of the M. rothsteini species group. A small, glossy, reddish brown species with large eyes, a smooth mesonotum and a narrow petiole node. Can be difficult to separate from other small, dark species but can be distinguished by the anterodorsal margin of the clypeus which is concave with frontolateral carinae extending beyond the anteroventral margin of the clypeus.

Keys including this Species

Distribution

This species is known from only two localities in far western Queensland.

Latitudinal Distribution Pattern

Latitudinal Range: -20.9542° to -22.0008°.

 
North
Temperate
North
Subtropical
Tropical South
Subtropical
South
Temperate

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists

Australasian Region: Australia (type locality).

Distribution based on AntMaps

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Distribution based on AntWeb specimens

Check data from AntWeb

Countries Occupied

Number of countries occupied by this species based on AntWiki Regional Taxon Lists. In general, fewer countries occupied indicates a narrower range, while more countries indicates a more widespread species.
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Estimated Abundance

Relative abundance based on number of AntMaps records per species (this species within the purple bar). Fewer records (to the left) indicates a less abundant/encountered species while more records (to the right) indicates more abundant/encountered species.
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Biology

Genetics

COI sequences. Genbank accession numbers for this species are KC572935 and KC572936.

Castes

Nomenclature

The following information is derived from Barry Bolton's Online Catalogue of the Ants of the World.

  • broschorum. Monomorium broschorum Sparks, in Sparks et al. 2014: 500, figs. 4d-f, 11a (w.) AUSTRALIA (Queensland).
    • Type-material: holotype worker, 16 paratype workers.
    • Type-locality: holotype Australia: Queensland, 125 km. N Dajarra, -20.9542, 139.4188, 4.vi.2009, KSS60 (K.S. Sparks); paratypes: 9 workers with same data, 7 workers Queensland, 110 km. N Boulia, Bradley’s Creek, -22.0008, 139.5930, 4.vi.2009, KSS55 (K.S. Sparks).
    • Type-depositories: QMBA (holotype); QMBA, SAMA (paratypes).
    • Distribution: Australia.

Unless otherwise noted the text for the remainder of this section is reported from the publication that includes the original description.

Description

Worker

(n=9). HW 0.78–0.84, HL 0.8–0.88, EL 0.18–0.21, PMH 0.31–0.37, PH 0.25–0.29, PNH 0.16–0.18, LHW 0.49–0.55, EW 0.11–0.13, PML 0.49–0.55, ML 0.84–0.92, PL 0.37–0.41, PNWdv 0.20–0.21.

Small species with a small, rectangular head; posterior cephalic margin shallowly depressed medially to broadly v shaped. Anterodorsal margin of the clypeus concave with frontolateral carinae forming ridges that extend beyond anteroventral clypeal margin forming obtuse anterolateral angles; anteroventral margin with a small median projection. Sculpture on frons limited to a few strigae only present on antennal lobes; coarse lateral cephalic strigae do not reach anterior eye margin, a few very fine strigae may reach eye margin. Eyes large, EW > 0.23 x LHW, 12 ommatidia in longest vertical axis, 10 in longest horizontal axis.

Mesonotum without sculpture. Mesopleuron and lateral surface of propodeum alveolate, strigae extending over metapleural bulla and reaching metanotal groove. Propodeum in lateral view with dorsolateral angles clearly forming an obtuse angle; dorsally with anterior transverse carina present, longitudinal strigae present as broken convergent lines; transverse strigae present in a majority of specimens. Petiole node narrow, less than 2 x eye width when viewed from above; shape in posterior view tapered from broadest point at midline to a narrowly rounded point dorsally; when viewed laterally anterior and posterior face converging to narrowly rounded point. Petiole node without sculpture, postpetiole with fine reticulate sculpture laterally and along posterior basal margin. T1 completely smooth and without sculpture.

Head and mesosoma light to dark brown with a reddish-orange tinge, petiole and postpetiole somewhat darker, legs dark brown, metasoma dark brown.

Type Material

Holotype worker. Queensland: 125 km N Dajarra, -20.9542, 139.4188, 4 Jun 2009, K.S. Sparks, KSS60 (deposited in Queensland Museum). Paratypes. 9 workers, same data as holotype; 7 workers, Queensland, 110 km N Boulia, Bradley's Creek, - 22.0008, 139.5930, 4 Jun 2009, K.S. Sparks, KSS55 (deposited in QM, South Australian Museum).

Etymology

The species is named in honour of members of the first author’s family who provided assistance with the field collection of many of the samples examined in this work.

References