Monomorium vonatu

One collection of this species was taken from a savanna forest.

Identification
Bolton (1987) - A member of the M. altinode complex in the M. monomorium species group. This glossy black West African species is immediately diagnosed by the structure of the petiole and postpetiole, which is shared only with the Kenyan Monomorium mirandum. The only other West African member of this complex which is known, Monomorium occidentale, is also darkly coloured but, apart from lacking the petiolar configuration of vonatu, has a pair of elongate narrow teeth on the clypeus and a very large propodeal spiracle. M. mirandum, the closest known relative of vonatu, is spectacularly coloured black and yellow and has much longer antennal scapes (SI 97-100).

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Ghana.

Nomenclature

 *  vonatu. Monomorium vonatu Bolton, 1987: 420 (w.) GHANA.

Worker
Holotype. TL 2.0, HL 0.49, HW 0.41, CI 84, SL 0.34, SI 83, PW 0.26, AL 0.54.

Clypeal carinae sharp and conspicuous, widely divergent anteriorly and the triangular area enclosed by the carinae and anterior margin fiat transversely. Clypeal carinae reaching the anterior margin on a pair of low but distinctly projecting broad denticles. Anterior margin between the denticles transverse. Maximum diameter of eye 0.24 x HW and with 6-7 ommatidia in the longest row. In full-face view the eyes in front of the midlength of the sides, though their posterior margins are close to the midlength. Antennal scapes, when laid straight back from their insertions, failing to reach the occipital margin. Alitrunk in profile with basically the same dorsal outline shape as Monomorium fugelanum (Fig. 88). Promesonotum evenly convex, sloping posteriorly to the narrow but conspicuously impressed metanotal groove. Metanotal cross-ribs short but strongly developed and conspicuous. Propodeal spiracle minute and pinhole-like. Propodeal dorsum sloping downwards posteriorly, the dorsum and declivity rounding evenly together, not distinctly separated, though the latter slopes more steeply than the former. Petiole in profile with a high narrow node which tapers to a point apically. The anterior and posterior faces meet in a sharp rim or edge which is continuous round the dorsum and sides of the node. Subpetiolar process an elongate but low lobe which runs to the level of the spiracle, anterior peduncle of petiole short and narrow. Postpetiole high and narrow, with a high and near-vertical anterior face; as on the petiole, the anterior and posterior faces meet in a sharp rim or edge. Standing hairs present on all dorsal surfaces of head and body, the promesonotum with 3 pairs. Sculpture absent except for minute hair-pits and metanotal cross-ribs. Colour glossy black.

Type Material
Holotype worker, Ghana: Mampong, 10.ii.1970 (P. Room).

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.
 * Borowiec L., and S. Salata. 2018. Notes on ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Gambia (Western Africa). Annals of the Upper Silesian Museum in Bytom Entomology 26: 1-13.
 * Diame L., B. Taylor, R. Blatrix, J. F. Vayssieres, J. Y. Rey, I. Grechi, and K. Diarra. 2017. A preliminary checklist of the ant (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) fauna of Senegal. Journal of Insect Biodiversity 5(15): 1-16.