Monomorium vecte

Known only from the type series, nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
Bolton (1987) - A member of the M. schultzei complex in the M. monomorium species group. The non-paratypic material consists of a short series whose size is at the lower end of the type-series' range. They agree very well with the holotype but tend to have the subpetiolar process smaller and the clypeal carinae slightly more strongly divergent anteriorly.

M. vecte is close to Monomorium firmum within the schultzei-complex. Both species have relatively dense pilosity, broad shallow metanotal groove with strong cross-ribs and relatively large propodeal spiracle. The two are separated by size, firmum averaging larger, and by the presence of projecting pilosity on the sides of the head behind the eyes in vecte. Apart from these characters vecte has conspicuous mesopleural sculpture and a relatively small subpetiolar process. In firmum the mesopleuron is smooth to very faintly sculptured, and the subpetiolar process is usually distinctly larger.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Rwanda, Zimbabwe.

Nomenclature

 * . Monomorium vecte Bolton, 1987: 419, fig. 68 (w.) ZIMBABWE, RWANDA.
 * Type-material: holotype worker, 12 paratype workers.
 * Type-locality: Zimbabwe (“Rhodesia”): Umtali, Melsetter, 1700 m., ii.1969 (R. Mussard); paratypes with same data.
 * Type-depositories: MHNG (holotype); BMNH, MCZC, MHNG (paratypes).
 * Status as species: Bolton, 1995b: 268.
 * Distribution: Rwanda, Zimbabwe.

Worker
Holotype. TL 2.1, HL 0.51, HW 0.42, CI 82, SL 0.42, SI 100, PW 0.28, AL 0.58.

Clypeal carinae sharply developed, close together posteriorly and subparallel for most of their length, weakly divergent anteriorly. Clypeus between the carinae transversely concave and the anterior clypeal margin between the carinal apices shallowly concave. Lateral and anterior margins of prominent median portion of clypeus meeting in blunt angles, without projecting denticles or comers. Maximum diameter of eye 0.21 x HW, with 5 ommatidia in the longest row. With the head in full-face view the posterior margins of the eyes just in front of the midlength of the sides of the head. Antennal scapes, when laid straight back from their insertions, reaching or fractionally surpassing the occipital margin. Sides of head behind eyes feebly convex and somewhat convergent posteriorly in full-face view, the occipital margin exceptionally shallowly concave medially, almost transverse. Head in profile shallowly biconvex, not dorsoventrally flattened. Pro meso notal dorsum in profile evenly shallowly convex, the posteriormost portion of the mesonotum suddenly downcurved and much more steeply sloping to the very broad shallowly impressed metanotal groove, the latter traversed by long, strong cross-ribs. Propodeal dorsum shallowly convex in profile and sloping posteriorly, the dorsum rounding broadly and evenly into the declivity. Propodeal spiracle large and conspicuous. Petiole node in profile relatively low and broad, bluntly subconical and with both faces very feebly convex. Subpetiolar process a narrow laminar strip. Postpetiole in profile smaller than petiole, lower and more broadly rounded. All dorsal surfaces of head and body with standing hairs present, the promesonotum with 8 or more pairs. Sides of head behind eyes and leading edges of scapes with freely projecting fine hairs. Head and body mostly unsculptured and smooth except for minute hair-pits, but the metanotum strongly cross-ribbed and the mesopleuron with transverse fine rugulose sculpture on a feebly reticulate background. A few even weaker rugulae occur on the metapleuron below the large propodeal spiracle. Head and body entirely yellow except for a darker band apically on the first gastral tergite.

Paratypes. TL 2.0-2.4, HL 0.48-0.60, HW 0.38-0.48, CI 78-82, SL 0.39-0.48, SI 100-105, PW 0.23-0.32, AK 0.52-0.68 (12 measured).

As holotype but maximum diameter of eye 0.21-0.23 x HW and with 5-7 ommatidia in the longest row. The mesopleural sculpture is variable. In some paratypes there is only reticulation, without trace of overlying rugulae. The paratypes show distinct size-variation but this does not affect the diagnosis of the species.

Type Material
Holotype worker, Zimbabwe: Umtali, Melsetter, 1700 m, ii. 1969 (R. Mussard). Paratypes. 12 workers with same data as holotype (MHNG; ; ).

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.