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Monomorium eremophilum
| Monomorium eremophilum | |
|---|---|
| |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Formicidae |
| Subfamily: | Myrmicinae |
| Tribe: | Solenopsidini |
| Genus: | Monomorium |
| Species: | M. eremophilum |
| Binomial name | |
| Monomorium eremophilum Heterick, 2001
| |
An inhabitant of arid areas, little is known about the biology of Monomorium eremophilum.
Identification
Heterick (2001) - A member of the monomorium group. Monomorium eremophilum resembles a diminutive Monomorium rothsteini, and shares with that species a PF of2,2. However, the shape of the eye is quite different, and the two taxa do not appear to be closely related. Moreover, the broad head of M. eremophilum serves to distinguish it from other small Monomorium with a PF of 1 ,2 and a rather oblique or reniform eye-shape.
Heterick (2009) - This species looks like a miniature Monomorium rothsteini but has 11-segmented antennae and the eye is elongate rather than ovate.
Keys including this Species
- Key to Australian Monomorium Species
- Key to Monomorium of the southwestern Australian Botanical Province
Distribution
Latitudinal Distribution Pattern
Latitudinal Range: -28.66666667° to -32.06667°.
| North Temperate |
North Subtropical |
Tropical | South Subtropical |
South Temperate |
- Source: AntMaps
Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia (type locality).
Distribution based on AntMaps
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
Castes
Known only from the worker caste.
Nomenclature
The following information is derived from Barry Bolton's Online Catalogue of the Ants of the World.
- eremophilum. Monomorium eremophilum Heterick, 2001: 400, figs. 38, 134, 137 (w.) AUSTRALIA (South Australia, New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia).
- Type-material: holotype worker, 14 paratype workers.
- Type-locality: holotype Australia: South Australia, Koonamore, 26.ii.1973 (P.J.M. Greenslade); paratypes: 1 worker with same data, 1 worker New South Wales, 5 km. W Broken Hill, 15.ix.1974 (P.J.M. Greenslade), 3 workers New South Wales, Fowlers Gap, 18.xi.1979 (P.J.M. Greenslade), 2 workers Queensland, 40 km. E Cameron Cnr, 22.xi.1979 (P.J.M. Greenslade), South Australia, 7 km. NW Morgan, 15-17.xii.1976, Traps J (P.J.M. Greenslade), 2 workers South Australia, SE shore Lake Acraman, Gawler Ra., 4.x.1972(P.J.M. Greenslade), 3 workers South Australia, 10 km. E Mt Ives Hsd, Aii SE, 22.x.1980 (P.J.M. Greenslade), 1 worker as last but 22-23.x.1980, 1 worker South Australia, Observatory Hill, Victoria Desert (P.J.M. Greenslade).
- Type-depositories: ANIC (holotype); ANIC, BMNH, MCZC (paratypes).
- Status as species: Heterick, 2009: 158.
- 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
Holotype. HML 1.54; HL 0.67; HW 0.62; Cei 93; SL 0.41; SI 67; PW 0.32. Others. HML 1.15-1.71; HL 0.46-0.71; HW 0.43-0.72; CeI 91-102; SL 0.28-0.51; SI 64-77; PW 0.24-0.34 (19 workers.)
As for the worker of Monomorium sydneyense, but with the following apomorphies.
Head. Frons of head capsule smooth and shining with evenly spaced, appressed setulae. Compound eyes reniform, with posterior surface of eye emarginate, or elongate, much longer than wide; (viewed laterally) compound eyes set at midline of head capsule; eye large, eye width greater than 1.5 x greatest width of antennal scape. Anteromedial clypeal margin emarginate, median clypeal carinae produced apically as pair of pronounced teeth. Venter of head capsule with elongate, basket-shaped setae in at least some individuals. Palp formula 2,2.
Alitrunk. Promesonotal sculpture present in form of microreticulation and striolae on and around katepisternum, otherwise promesonotum smooth and shining; dorsal promesonotal face evenly convex; erect and suberect promesonotal setae absent. Propodeal sculpture present as uniform microreticulation, with few or no striae or costulae; propodeal processes absent (propodeum smoothly rounded in profile or with slight hump at propodeal angle), or present as pronounced lamellae formed by extension of metapleural lobes. Declivitous face ofpropodeum flat. Erect and suberect propodeal setae >5; propodeal setulae absent.
Petiole and postpetiole. Petiolar node conical, dorsally rounded, or cuneate, dorsally rounded, or tumular and inclined anteriad. Ratio of greatest node breadth (viewed from front) to greatest node width (viewed in profile) near 4:3. Height ratio of petiole to postpetiole near 4:3.
Gaster. Pilosity of first gastral tergite consisting entirely of well-spaced appressed setulae.
General characters. Colour either pale orange with gaster fulvous, or chocolate brown with mandibles and appendages amber. Worker caste monomorphic.
Type Material
- Holotype, worker (missing), Koonamore, South Australia, Australia, Greenslade,P.J.M., ANIC32-015639, Australian National Insect Collection.
- Paratype, 1 worker, 5km W Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia, Australian National Insect Collection.
- Paratype, 3 workers, Fowlers Gap, New South Wales, Australia, Australian National Insect Collection.
- Paratype, 1 worker, Koonamore, South Australia, Australia, Australian National Insect Collection.
- Paratype, 2 workers, 40km E Cameron Corner, Queensland, Australia, The Natural History Museum.
- Paratype, 2 workers, SE shore of Lake Acraman, Gawler Ranges, South Australia, Australia, The Natural History Museum.
- Paratype, 4 workers, 10km E Mt Ives Homestead, South Australia, Australia, Museum of Comparative Zoology.
- Paratype, 1 worker, Observatory Hill, Victoria Desert, South Australia, Australia, Museum of Comparative Zoology.
Etymology
Greek: “lover of deserts”.
References
- Heterick, B. E. 2001. Revision of the Australian ants of the genus Monomorium (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Invertebrate Taxonomy. 15:353-459. (page 400, figs. 38, 134, 137 worker described)
- Heterick, B. E. 2009. A guide to the ants of South-western Australia. Records of the Western Australian Museum, Supplement 76:1-206.
- Heterick, B.E. 2021. A guide to the ants of Western Australia. Part I: Systematics. Records of the Western Australian Museum, Supplement 86, 1-245 (doi:10.18195/issn.0313-122x.86.2021.001-245).
- Heterick, B.E. 2022. A guide to the ants of Western Australia. Part II: Distribution and biology. Records of the Western Australian Museum, supplement 86: 247-510 (doi:10.18195/issn.0313-122x.86.2022.247-510).
- Sparks, K. 2015. Australian Monomorium: Systematics and species delimitation with a focus of the M. rothsteini complex. Ph.D. thesis, University of Adelaide.
References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics
- Heterick B. E. 2001. Revision of the Australian ants of the genus Monomorium (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Invertebrate Taxonomy 15: 353-459.