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Monomorium lene
| Monomorium lene | |
|---|---|
| |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Formicidae |
| Subfamily: | Myrmicinae |
| Tribe: | Solenopsidini |
| Genus: | Monomorium |
| Species: | M. lene |
| Binomial name | |
| Monomorium lene Santschi, 1920
| |
This species has been found in and around an ephemeral watercourse in plains habitat.
Identification
Bolton (1987) - A member of the M. leopoldinum complex in the M. monomorium species group. In the leopoldinum-complex three species, Monomorium borlei, lene, and Monomorium leopoldinum (= Monomorium madecassum), have relatively very large propodeal spiracles which dominate the side of the sclerite. This feature is best developed in leopoldinum itself, but the spiracle is only fractionally smaller in lene. Of the three borlei has only 3 pairs of standing hairs on the promesonotal dorsum, whereas the other two have more than 4 pairs (usually 6-7). M. borlei also has relatively long antennal scapes (SI 90-93) compared to the other two, which together show a range of SI 79-86. Separation of leopoldinum and lene rests on colour (the former is brown, the latter yellow) and the fact that the propodeal spiracle tends to be even larger in the former than in the latter.
Keys including this Species
Distribution
Latitudinal Distribution Pattern
Latitudinal Range: -17.83333° to -27.80882°.
| North Temperate |
North Subtropical |
Tropical | South Subtropical |
South Temperate |
- Source: AntMaps
Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Botswana, United Republic of Tanzania, Zimbabwe (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.
- lene. Monomorium lene Santschi, 1920b: 11, fig. 2g-h (w.) ZIMBABWE.
- Type-material: syntype workers (number not stated).
- Type-locality: Zimbabwe (“Southern Rhodesia”): Salisbury (= Harare), iv. 1917, no. 421 (G. Arnold).
- Type-depositories: BMNH, NHMB.
- Status as species: Wheeler, W.M. 1922a: 863; Arnold, 1926: 231; Ettershank, 1966: 90; Bolton, 1987: 397 (redescription); Bolton, 1995b: 263.
- Distribution: Botswana, Tanzania, Zimbabwe.
Unless otherwise noted the text for the remainder of this section is reported from the publication that includes the original description.
Description
Worker
Bolton (1987) - TL 1.8-2.1, HL 0·45-0·51, HW 0.35-0.42, CI 78-84, SL 0.29-0.34, SI 79-85, PW 0.23-0.27, AL 0.48-0.53 (10 measured).
Clypeal carinae close together posteriorly and widely divergent anteriorly, meeting the anterior margin in a pair of projecting angles or broad low denticles. Anterior margin of prominent median portion of clypeus distinctly concave between these angles, the concavity accentuating their projection. Maximum diameter of eye 0.21-0.23 x HW and with 5-6 ommatidia in the longest row. In full-face view the eyes situated in front of the midlength of the sides. Antennal scapes, when laid straight back from their insertions, failing to reach the occipital margin. Promesonotal dorsum shallowly convex in profile, sloping posteriorly to the narrow and only shallowly impressed metanotal groove. Metanotal cross-ribs present but short and inconspicuous. Propodeal spiracle large and dominating the sides of the sclerite. Node of petiole in profile low and subconical, narrowly rounded above. Anteroventral process of petiole peduncle an inconspicuous ridge which is truncated anteriorly and may be reduced in some individuals. Postpetiole in profile smaller and somewhat lower than the petiole, slightly anteroposteriorly compressed and broadly rounded above. All dorsal surfaces of head and body with numerous standing hairs, the promesonotum with 6-7 pairs. Head and body entirely lacking sculpture except for scattered minute hair-pits and metanotal cross-ribs. Colour yellow.
Type Material
Bolton (1987) - Syntype workers, Zimbabwe: Salisbury (= Harare), iv. 1917, no. 421 (R. W. Tucker) (The Natural History Museum; Naturhistorisches Museum, Basel) [examined].
References
- Bolton, B. 1987. A review of the Solenopsis genus-group and revision of Afrotropical Monomorium Mayr (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History). Entomology. 54: 263-452.. (page 397, see also)
- Santschi, F. 1920b. Formicides nouveaux du Gabon, du Congo, de la Rhodesia et du Natal. Ann. Soc. Entomol. Belg. 60: 6-17 (page 11, fig. 2 worker described)
References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics
- Bolton B. 1987. A review of the Solenopsis genus-group and revision of Afrotropical Monomorium Mayr (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History). Entomology 54: 263-452.
- IZIKO South Africa Museum Collection