Cardiocondyla monardi

Nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
This very distinctive species should not be confused with any other African form. It is quickly separated from all its congeners in the Afrotropical region by its long scapes, lack of a metanotal groove or impression, absolutely unarmed propodeum, elongate pedicel segments and glinting silvery pubescence on a yellow background. (Bolton 1982)

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Angola.

Castes
Only known from the worker caste.

Nomenclature

 * . Cardiocondyla (Loncyda) monardi Santschi, 1930b: 70, fig. 5a-c (w.) ANGOLA.
 * Type-material: 2 syntype workers.
 * Type-locality: Angola: Rio Mbalé, ix.1928-i.1929 (A. Monard).
 * Type-depository: NHMB.
 * Status as species: Bolton, 1982: 314 (redescription); Bolton, 1995b: 132; Rigato, 2002: 172 (in key).
 * Distribution: Angola.

Worker
Bolton (1982) - TL 2.7, HL 0.58, HW 0.46, CI 79, SL 0.49, SI 107, PW 0.33, AL 0.68.

Antennal scapes relatively long, SI > 100; when laid back on the head exceeding the occipital corners. Maximum diameter of eye 0.14, about 0.30 x HW and with approximately 14 ommatidia in the longest row. Pronotal corners in dorsal view broadly and evenly rounded. Alitrunk in profile with the dorsum forming a single uninterrupted surface, without trace of a metanotal groove or impression. Propodeum unarmed, the dorsum rounding broadly, smoothly and evenly into the declivity. Petiole in profile with a very long anterior peduncle and a long low feebly convex node. Petiole node in dorsal view subglobular, only very slightly longer than broad. Postpetiole in dorsal view somewhat longer than broad, narrow (c. 0.13) at its junction with the petiole, then rapidly broadening posteriorly to a maximum width of c. 0.26 at about its midlength, and behind this narrowing again to a posteriormost width of c. 0.20. Dorsal length of post petiole about 0.30, of petiole peduncle plus node about 0.40. All dorsal surfaces of head, alitrunk, petiole, postpetiole and first gastral tergite reticulate-punctate. Whole of body dorsally with glinting silvery pubescence which is mostly set within the punctures. Colour yellow with glinting silvery highlights due to the pubescence.

Type Material
Angola: Rio Mbale (A. Manard).

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Bolton B. 1982. Afrotropical species of the myrmicine ant genera Cardiocondyla, Leptothorax, Melissotarsus, Messor and Cataulacus (Formicidae). Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History). Entomology 45: 307-370.
 * Rigato F. 2002. Three new Afrotropical Cardiocondyla Emery, with a revised key to the workers (Hymenoptera Formicidae). Bollettino della Società Entomologica Italiana 134: 167-173.
 * Santschi, F.. "Résultats de la Mission scientifique suisse en Angola, 1928-1929. Formicides de l'Angola." Revue Suisse de Zoologie 37 (1930): 53-81.