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Monomorium torvicte
| Monomorium torvicte | |
|---|---|
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Formicidae |
| Subfamily: | Myrmicinae |
| Tribe: | Solenopsidini |
| Genus: | Monomorium |
| Species: | M. torvicte |
| Binomial name | |
| Monomorium torvicte Bolton, 1987
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The only known non-type collection of this species was made from a grassland litter sample.
Identification
Bolton (1987) - A member of the M. boerorum complex in the M. monomorium species group. Closest related to Monomorium mavide, another minute South African species. Differentiating characters of torvicte and mavide are given under the latter name.
Keys including this Species
Distribution
Latitudinal Distribution Pattern
Latitudinal Range: -3.96667° to -31.36637°.
| 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
Worker
Images from AntWeb
   
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| Holotype of Monomorium torvicte. Worker. Specimen code casent0902261. Photographer Ryan Perry, uploaded by California Academy of Sciences. | Owned by NHMUK, London, UK. |
Nomenclature
The following information is derived from Barry Bolton's Online Catalogue of the Ants of the World.
- torvicte. Monomorium torvicte Bolton, 1987: 416 (w.) SOUTH AFRICA.
- Type-material: holotype worker, 6 paratype workers, 1 paratype queen.
- Type-locality: South Africa: Cape Town, vii.1912, ex coll. S.A. Museum, G. Arnold no. 155 (on underside of card) (E. Phillips); paratypes with same data (all type-material on a single card).
- Type-depository: BMNH.
- Status as species: 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
Holotype. TL 1.5, HL 0.45, HW 0.34, CI 76, SL 0.27, SI 79, PW 0.20, AL 0.44.
Clypeal carinae distinctly developed, relatively close together posteriorly and widely divergent anteriorly, reaching the anterior clypeal margin. Prominent median portion of clypeus with its anterior margin transverse between the apices of the carinae, the anterior and lateral borders separated by an obtuse angle but lacking denticles or projections where the borders meet. Maximum diameter of eye 0.21 x HW and with 6 ommatidia in the longest row. Eye in full-face view distinctly far in front of the midlength of the sides of the head. In profile the eye elongate-oval, its long axis noticeably greater than its vertical axis. Antennal scapes, when laid straight back from their insertions, conspicuously failing to reach the occipital margin. Sides of head shallowly convex in full-face view, broadest at about the midlength; occipital margin broad and broadly, shallowly concave. Head in profile dorsoventrally flattened. Cephalic dorsum of holotype dented but in paratypes the ventral surface of the head is flat to very shallowly convex, the dorsum only slightly more convex than the ventre in profile. Promesonotal dorsum evenly shallowly convex in profile, curving downwards posteriorly to the conspicuously impressed metanotal groove. Metanotal cross-ribs distinct. Propodeal spiracle small and the propodeal dorsal outline convex behind the metanotal groove. Propodeum on a lower level than highest point of promesonotum and posteriorly rounding broadly and evenly into the declivity. Anterior peduncle of petiole short and stout, subtended by a short narrow strip-like anteroventral process which is truncated anteriorly. Node of petiole relatively low and broad in profile, broadly rounded above and with about the same degree of convexity as the postpetiolar dorsum. Postpetiole smaller and lower than the petiole node. All dorsal surfaces of head and body with standing hairs present. All available material somewhat abraded but the promesonotum probably with 5 pairs of standing hairs, of which the pair at the pro notal humeri is the longest. Sculpture absent except for minute hair-pit and metanotal cross-ribs. Colour uniform dark brown.
Paratypes. TL l.5-1.6, HL 0.44-0.45, HW 0.33-0.35, CI 75-80, SL 0.25-0.28, SI 76-80, PW 0.18-0.21, AL 0.42-0.45 (5 measured). Maximum diameter of eye 0.20-0.21 x HW. All specimens uniformly brown in colour but the shade varying from medium to dark. The lighter individuals may not have acquired full adult colour.
Type Material
Holotype worker, South Africa: Cape Town, vii. 1912, ex coli. S.A. Museum, G. Arnold, no. 155 (on underside of card) (E. Phillips) (The Natural History Museum). Paratypes. 6 workers and 1 female mounted on same card (BMNH). Holotype is third from right and is indicated by a small directional arrow on the card.
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 416, worker described)
References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics
- IZIKO South Africa Museum Collection