Monomorium talbotae

DuBois (1986) - This species was discovered in three nests of. It is presumed to be a social parasite in view of the morphological features it shares with other species of inquilinous Monomorium. Habitat (from notes of M. Talbot): “A high, dry field where vegetation was not dense and small patches of bare sandy soil were numerous. Grasses were mostly Poa compressa and Aristida sp. A variety of scattered forbes included Lespedeza capitata, Liatris aspersa, Rumex acetosella, and Solidago spp. Patches of Polytrichum piliferum moss were large and frequent and the red—tipped lichen, Cladonia cristatella var. vestita, was characteristic.” (DuBois, 1981a).

Identification
DuBois (1986) - A member of the Monomorium minimum species group. Queen Winged; petiole convex; scutum and scutellum convex; metanotum (in lateral view) not projecting to level of propodeum and scutellum; propodeum rounded; clypeus scarcely emarginate, lacking teeth; anterior edge of scutum not projecting over pronotum; no depression on first gastral tergite.

Monomorium talbotae specimens are easily recognized by the relatively small size of the female and male (compared to the size of host male and female) and by their smooth and shining integument. Monomorium talbotae females and males are most likely to be confused with those of Monomorium inquilinum and Monomorium pergandei. The first differs from both the other species since the metanotum does not reach the level of the propodeum and scutellum.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Nearctic Region: United States.

Nomenclature

 *  talbotae. Monomorium talbotae DuBois, 1981: 31, fig. 1 (q.m.) U.S.A. See also: DuBois, 1986: 112.

Queen
DuBois (1986) - As described for Monomorium minimum except as follows. Head: (representing type locality; N= 8) HL 0.40-0.48 (0.44), HW 0.39-0.43 (0.40), SL 0.31-0.36 (0.34), IOD 0.09-0.10 (0.10), OD 0.04-0.06 (0.05), EL 0.08-0.09 (0.09), MOD 0.05-0.06 (0.06). Structure—CI 81-98 (92), SIL 74-80 (77), SIW 80-92 (84). In full frontal view, head broadest at or a little below occiput. Eye small in size. Scape reaching or surpassing occiput by an amount less than length of pedicel. Mandible with two teeth; maxillary palp 1-segmented; labial palp 1-segmented. Clypeal teeth absent (emargination greatly reduced where space between teeth should occur). Pilosity—Setae erect to suberect over entire surface of head. Sculpture—Entire surface of head smooth and shining with small to moderate piliferous punctures. Alitrunk: PW 0.27-0.33 (0.32), PL 0.19-0.22 (0.21), WL 0.63-0.72 (0.68). Structure—Mesopleural suture deflected ventrally at posterior end. Metanotum (in lateral view) not projecting to level of propodeum and scutellum. Propodeum rounded, basal and declivitous faces of approximately equal length. PI 30-32 (31). Three to 5 hamuli 0n hindwing. Sculpture—Smooth and shining throughout with small piliferous punctures. Petiole: Setae erect to suberect on all surfaces except venter which lacks setae. Entire surface smooth and shining with small piliferous punctures. Postpetiole: Dorsum of node convex. Anterior subpostpetiolar process enlarged into spine, located medially on venter. Setae erect to suberect on all surfaces, including venter. Entire surface (except dorsum of node) covered with small, dense, non-piliferous punctures. Dorsum of node smooth and shining with small piliferous punctures. Gaster: Setae of first gastral tergite not reaching level of dorsum of postpetiolar node. Color: Head and mandible light brown. Alitrunk and legs light brown, except for light yellow tibiae and tarsi. Petiole, postpetiole, and gaster light brown. All setae white.

Male
DuBois (1986) - Head: (representing type locality; N= 2) HL 0.39-0.43 (0.41), HW 0.42-0.43 (0.42), SL 0.32-0.35 (0.34), IOD 0.07-0.08 (0.08), OD 0.04—0.05 (0.04), EL 0.09-0.10 (0.10), MOD 0.06-0.08 (0.07). Structure—CI 100- 108 (104), SIL 81-82 (82), SIW 76-81 (79). Eye small in size. Mandible with 2 teeth; maxillary palp 1—segmented; labial palp 1-segmented. Clypeal teeth and frontal carinae as in female. Pilosity—As in female. Sculpture—As in female. Alitrunk: PW 0.29-0.30 (0.30), PL 0.20-0.22 (0.21), WL 0.63-0.68 (0.66). Structure—As in female. PI 32 (32). Wings as in female. Pilosity—As in female. Sculpture as in female. Petiole. As in female. Postpetiole: As in female. Gaster. As in female. Genitalia. Eighth sternites with emargination approximately 1/2 as deep as wide. Ninth sternite with 10-12 erect setae. Aedeagus with 7 teeth; toothed margin straight. Color: As in female.

Type Material
DuBois (1986) - Type series consisting of 8 females and 2 males (DuBois, 1981a): Michigan: Livingston Co., E. S. George Reserve, 30 June 1966, M, Talbot. Holotype bears red, handwritten label: Monomorium talbotae M. DuBois 1981 Holotype. Allotype male also in MCZ. Paratypes distributed as follows: 6 females, 1 male (MBDPC), 1 female (KU). Allotype and paratypes bear red, handwritten labels: Monomorium talbotae M. DuBois 1981 Paratype (or Allotype).