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Monomorium cekalovici
| Monomorium cekalovici | |
|---|---|
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Formicidae |
| Subfamily: | Myrmicinae |
| Tribe: | Solenopsidini |
| Genus: | Monomorium |
| Species: | M. cekalovici |
| Binomial name | |
| Monomorium cekalovici (Snelling, R.R., 1975)
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Nothing is known about the biology of Monomorium cekalovici.
Identification
Snelling (1975) - Worker: Propodeum broadly rounded, without sharp projections; head narrow, CI 82-88; malar area no longer than maximum eye length; penultimate antennomere 1.2-1.5 times longer than wide.
The color pattern will serve to separate N. cekalovici from the other described species. Four specimens from Algarrobo, Valparaiso, 21 July 1951 (Kuschel and Pefia; Museo de Historia Natural de Santiago) resemble N. cekalovici in color pattern. These were recorded by Kempf (1970) as Megalomyrmex bicolor. (=Monomorium chilense). Aside from the dark head and slightly more angulate propodeum they are very similar to bicolor and may represent a distinctive color phase of that species. These specimens differ from N. cekalovici in the sharply angulate propodeum and long malar area.
Distribution
Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Chile (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
Nomenclature
The following information is derived from Barry Bolton's Online Catalogue of the Ants of the World.
- cekalovici. Nothidris cekalovici Snelling, R.R. 1975: 3, figs. 3-4 (w.) CHILE.
- Type-material: holotype worker, 21 paratype workers.
- Type-locality: holotype Chile: Prov. Aconcagua, Carretera Panamericana, km. 206, 10 km. N Pichidangui, 23.xii.1963, no. 4174 (T. Cekalovic); paratypes with same data.
- Type-depositories: LACM (holotype); LACM, MNSC, UCCC (paratypes).
- Combination in Monomorium: Fernández, in Heterick, 2006: 79; Fernández, 2007b: 132.
- Status as species: Snelling, R.R. & Hunt, 1976: 81; Brandão, 1991: 361; Bolton, 1995b: 292; Fernández, 2007b: 132.
- Distribution: Chile.
Unless otherwise noted the text for the remainder of this section is reported from the publication that includes the original description.
Description
Worker
HL 0.86-1.10 (1.10); HW (excluding eyes, measured at level of top of eye) 0.71-0.96 (0.92); SL 0.78-0.99 (0.97); WL 1.13-1.48(1.48); PW 0.51-0.71 (0.71).
Head. Distinctly longer than broad, CI 82-88 (84); in frontal view, sides approximately parallel in middle and convergent above and below; occipital margin nearly flat. Scape short, SI I 03-111 ( 106); penultimate antennomere 1.2-1.5 ( 1.3) times longer than wide. Eye large, maximum diameter about 1.5 times minimum diameter; OMD 0. 79-1.00 (0.95) x EL. Clypeus weakly longitudinally sulcate, sides of median lobe weakly carinate; median setae present; one pair intercarinal setae; first pair paracarinal setae shorter; a few lateral setae present. Dental formula I +4. Palpal formula 4, 3.
Thorax. Of normal worker form for this genus, PW 0.43-0.48 (0.48) x WL. Promesonotum, in profile, strongly convex, abruptly sloping behind; promesonotal suture distinct to spiracle, above which and across dorsum, it is very faint. Metanotal groove distinctly impressed dorsally and on side. Mesothoracic dorsum, seen from above, distinctly narrowed behind. Propodeum longitudinally impressed; juncture of basal and posterior faces broadly rounded, not at all angulate. Propodeal spiracle small, round. Inferior propodeal plates large, with distinct angulation above. Metapleural gland large, distinct; posteroventrally with rounded protuberance bearing gland opening.
Nodes of petiole and postpetiole high, summits rounded in profile. Anterior peduncle of petiole ventrally carinate, carina ending truncately in front. Gastric profile biconvex.
Vestiture. Head, thorax and gaster with sparse, fine, long white hairs; scape with much shorter, suberect hairs; hairs appressed to subappressed on tibial extensor surfaces.
Integument. Entire ant smooth and shiny. Median lobe of clypeus bicarinate and with 1-3 short rugulae at side; a few fine rugulae in antenna( fossa; malar area with distinct, coarse rugulae; mandible coarsely rugulose; mesokatepisternum with numerous fine, diagonal striae, some faint; metapleuron with a few short, coarse rugulae.
Color. Thorax, petiole, postpetiole, and legs (except basitarsi) light yellowish to light reddish; head, gaster and basitarsi light brown. Mandibles reddish yellow, teeth blackish.
Type Material
Holotype and 21 worker paratypes: Chile, Prov. Aconcagua: Carretera Panamericana, km 206, 10 km north of Pichidangui, 23 Dec. 1963 (T. Cekalovic, No. 4174). Holotype and seven paratypes in LACM; 11 paratypes in Museo de Zoologia: three paratypes in Museo de Historia Natural de Santiago.
Etymology
This species is dedicated to Tomas Cekalovic K., collector of the type series and many other fine samples of Chilean ants.
References
References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics
- Snelling R. R. 1975. Descriptions of new Chilean ant taxa (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Contributions in Science (Los Angeles) 274: 1-19
- Snelling R. R., and J. H. Hunt. 1975. The ants of Chile (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Revista Chilena de Entomología 9: 63-129.