Monomorium dolatu

A worker of this species was collected in a pitfall trap sample from Sclerocarya - Bolusanthus Open Woodland in Sekhukhune Mountain Bushveld.

Identification
Bolton (1987) - A member of the M. malatu complex in the M. monomorium species group. Non-paratypic material resembles the type-series very closely but the brown band across the first gastral tergite is paler and interrupted medially.

The affinities of dolatu lie with other members of the malatu-complex, despite its 11-segmented antennae. This is the only known Afrotropical species with 11 antennal segments which has the petiole and clypeus structured as described, and is hence quite distinctive.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Cameroun, Ghana, Ivory Coast.

Nomenclature

 *  dolatu. Monomorium dolatu Bolton, 1987: 384 (w.) CAMEROUN.

Worker
Holotype. TL 1.5, HL 0.40, HW 0.34, CI 85, SL 0.26, SI 76, PW 0.22, AL 0.43.

Clypeal carinae sharply defined and only very weakly divergent anteriorly, the space between them feebly transversely concave and the carinae with the anterior clypeal margin extremely shallowly concave between their apices. Prominent median portion of clypeus strongly defined, its anterior and lateral margins meeting in sharp angles. The clypeal carinae terminate mesad of these angles and a small secondary carina or rugule arises at each angle and runs back towards the antennal socket, roughly paralleling the clypeal carina on each side. Maximum diameter of eye 0.21 x HW and with 5 ommatidia in the longest row. In full-face view the eyes in front of the midlength of the sides. Antennae with 11 segments; the scapes, when laid straight back from their insertions, failing to reach the occipital margin. Outline of dorsal promesonotum in profile evenly rounded-convex, the metanotal groove narrow but distinctly impressed. Metanotal cross-ribs short but strongly developed and conspicuous. Propodeal spiracle small. Propodeal dorsum in profile highest immediately behind the metanotal groove then sloping steeply to its rounded junction with the declivity. Peduncle of petiole very short and stout in profile, subtended by a deep anteroventral process which runs back approximately to the level of the petiolar spiracle where it is confluent with the strongly convex posteroventral margin of the node. Petiole node high and narrow, wedge-shaped in profile and narrowly rounded above. Postpetiole smaller than petiole, with a vertical anterior face, more broadly rounded dorsum and sloping posterior face. All dorsal surfaces of head and body with standing hairs, those of the alitrunk and gaster relatively short and appearing blunt or truncated apically; promesonotum with 5-6 pairs of standing hairs. Sculpture absent except for metanotal cross-ribs and some weak reticulation on the mesopleuron. Colour yellow, the head posteriorly somewhat darker than the alitrunk; first gastral tergite traversed apically by a broad brown band.

Paratypes. TL 1.4-1.5, HL 0.38-0.40, HW 0.32-0.40, CI 84-87, SL 0.26-0.27, SI 76-81, PW 0.22-0.23, AL 0.42-0.44 (3 measured). Maximum diameter of eye 0.19-0.21 x HW. Otherwise as holotype.

Type Material
Holotype worker, Cameroun: Nkoemvon, 1980, no. l Ib (D. Jackson). Paratypes. 3 workers with same data as holotype (BMNH; ).

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.
 * Kouakou L. M. M., K. Yeo, K. Ouattara, W. Dekoninck, T. Delsinne, and S. Konate. 2018. Investigating urban ant community (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in port cities and in major towns along the border in Côte d’Ivoire: a rapid assessment to detect potential introduced invasive ant species. Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences 36(1): 5793-5811.
 * Kouakou L. M. M., W. Dekoninck, M. Kone, T. Delsinne, K. Yeo, K. Ouattara, and S. Konate. 2018. Diversity and distribution of introduced and potentially invasive ant species from the three main ecoregions of Côte d’Ivoire (West Africa). Belgian Journal of Zoology 148 (1): 83–103.