Monomorium kelapre

Collected from pitfall traps in montane grassland and thornveld.

Identification
Bolton (1987) - A member of the M. boerorum complex in the M. monomorium species group. This notably small species' closest relative appears to be boerorum, also from South Africa. The two are separated by density of pilosity (boerorum having only 3-4 pairs of promesonotal hairs) and by the relatively very large propodeal spiracle of kelapre.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: South Africa.

Nomenclature

 * . Monomorium kelapre Bolton, 1987: 395 (w.) SOUTH AFRICA.
 * Type-material: holotype worker.
 * Type-locality: South Africa: Port Elisabeth (ex coll. G. Mayr).
 * Type-depository: BMNH.
 * Status as species: Bolton, 1995b: 263.
 * Distribution: South Africa.

Worker
Holotype. TL 1.9, HL 0.50, HW 0.40, CI 80, SL 0.32, SI 80, PW 0.24, AL 0.52.

Prominent median portion of clypeus with its anterior margin evenly broadly convex. Clypeal carinae vestigial, low rounded and poorly defined, fading out anteriorly. Maximum diameter of eye 0.20 x HW and with 6 ommatidia in the longest row. In full-face view the eyes distinctly in front of the midlength of the sides. Antennal scapes, when laid straight back from their insertions, failing to reach the occipital margin, the scapes relatively short (SI 80). Outline shape of head very similar to that of Monomorium boerorum, the occipital margin broad and broadly shallowly concave. Promesonotum in profile convex anteriorly, the highest point well in front of the midlength, on the pronotum itself rather than at the junction of pronotum and mesonotum. Pronotum behind the highest point and mesonotum forming a posteriorly sloping, almost flat surface to the metanotal groove. Posterior fraction of mesonotum suddenly downcurved to the narrow but deeply impressed metanotal groove, which is narrowly V-shaped. Metanotal cross-ribs short but conspicuous. Propodeal dorsum convex and sloping posteriorly, highest immediately behind the metanotal groove; rounding broadly and evenly into the declivity through a steep curve. Propodeal spiracle very large, dominating the side of the sclerite. Petiole with a short anterior peduncle which is subtended by a translucent strip-like anteroventral process which is trunctated anteriorly. Petiole node subconical in profile, narrowly but bluntly rounded above, its anterior face more or less flat and its posterior face very slightly convex. Postpetiole node smaller, lower and narrower than petiole, but somewhat more broadly rounded above. All dorsal surfaces of head and body with standing hairs, the promesonotum with 6-7 pairs and the propodeum with 3 pairs, the anteriormost of which is very short. Sculpture absent except for hair-pits and metanotal cross-ribs. Colour glossy light brown.

Type Material
Holotype worker, South Africa: Port Elizabeth (ex. coll. G. Mayr).