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Monomorium tablense
| Monomorium tablense | |
|---|---|
| |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Formicidae |
| Subfamily: | Myrmicinae |
| Tribe: | Solenopsidini |
| Genus: | Monomorium |
| Species: | M. tablense |
| Binomial name | |
| Monomorium tablense Santschi, 1932
| |
This species has been collected in montane rainforest leaf-litter.
Identification
Bolton (1987) - A member of the M. rhopalocerum complex in the M. monomorium species group. Originally described as a stirps of Monomorium altinode, because of the shape of the petiole node, tablense is really related to Monomorium rhopalocerum and its allies, but is separated from any other species of this complex by its strangely shaped petiole and large eyes. Of the allies of rhopalcerum, Monomorium binatu (=Monomorium termitobium) approaches tablense most closely in node shape, but in binatu (termitobium) the scapes are longer (SI 100-103) and reach the occipital margin, and the metanotal groove is much broader and more deeply impressed.
Keys including this Species
Distribution
Latitudinal Distribution Pattern
Latitudinal Range: -33.96666667° to -34.326°.
| North Temperate |
North Subtropical |
Tropical | South Subtropical |
South Temperate |
- Source: AntMaps
Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: South Africa (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.
- tablense. Monomorium altinode st. tablensis Santschi, 1932a: 384, figs. 6, 7 (w.q.) SOUTH AFRICA.
- Type-material: syntype workers, syntype queens (numbers not stated).
- Type-locality: South Africa: Cape Prov., Table Mt, 28.xii.1913 (G. Arnold).
- Type-depository: NHMB.
- Subspecies of altinode: Ettershank, 1966: 92.
- Status as species: Bolton, 1987: 414 (redescription); Bolton, 1995b: 267.
- Distribution: South Africa.
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 2.1-2.2, HL 0.52-0.54, HW 0.40-0.42, CI 77-78, SL 0.39-0.40, SI 95-98, PW 0.26-0.27, AL 0.54-0.56 (2 measured).
Projecting median portion of clypeus with its anterior margin and lateral margins separated by blunt angles, without projecting prominences or denticles. Clypeal carinae weakly divergent anteriorly. Maximum diameter of eye 0.24-0.25 x HW and with 6-7 ommatidia in the longest row. With the head in full-face view the posterior margins of the eyes distinctly in front of the midlength of the sides and the antennal scapes, when laid straight back from their insertions, failing to reach the occipital margin. Occipital margin of head broad and shallowly concave, the sides very weakly convex in full-face view. Promesonotum convex in profile, sloping posteriorly to the narrow and shallowly impressed metanotal groove. Propodeal spiracle small, the dorsal surface of the segment sloping posteriorly and separated from the declivity by a very obtuse bluntly rounded angle. Petiole node very narrow in profile, high and with its anterior face evenly shallowly concave, posterior face of node weakly convex. Postpetiole node smaller and rounded. Subpetiolar process a small ridge or lobe. Head and alitrunk of both extant syntypes very abraded and probably showing less hair than was originally present. Promesonotum with 2 pairs of hairs; probably more in fresh specimens. Metanotal groove with short fine cross-ribs and mesopleuron with vestiges of granulate or reticulate sculpture , but otherwise the entire body smooth and unsculptured . Colour brownish yellow to light brown.
Type Material
Bolton (1987) - Syntype workers, female, South Africa: Cape Prov., Table Mt, 28.xii.1913 (G. Arnold) (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 414, Raised to species)
- Santschi, F. 1932b. Formicides sud-africains. Pp. 381-392 in: Jeannel, R. (ed.) Société Entomologique de France. Livre du centenaire. Paris: Société Entomologique de France, xii + 729 pp. (page 384, figs. 6, 7 worker, queen described)
References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics
- Ettershank G. 1966. A generic revision of the world Myrmicinae related to Solenopsis and Pheidologeton (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Aust. J. Zool. 14: 73-171.
- French K., and R. E. Major. 2001. Effect of an exotic Acacia (Fabaceae) on ant assemblages in South African fynbos. Austral Ecology 26: 303310.
- Santschi F. 1932. Formicides sud-africains. Pp. 381-392 in: Jeannel, R. (ed.) 1932. Société Entomologique de France. Livre du centenaire. Paris: Société Entomologique de France, xii + 729 pp.