Monomorium mavide

Identification
Bolton (1987) - M. mavide and Monomorium torvicte, also from South Africa, form a very close pair of minute and apparently uncommon species within the boerorum-complex. The two are separated by the following characters.

mavide
 * Averaging smaller, HL 0.38-0.40, SL 0.24-0.25, HW 0.30-0.32.
 * Eyes slightly smaller (0.19 x HW) and subcircular in profile, only very little longer than wide.
 * Promesonotum flat behind anterior convexity, scarcely sloping to metanotal groove.
 * Clypeal carinae weakly divergent anteriorly.

torvicte
 * Averaging larger, HL 0.44-0.45, SL 0.25-0.28, HW 0.33-0.35.
 * Eyes slightly larger (0.20-0.21 x HW) and distinctly longer than wide in profile.
 * Promesonotum shallowly convex behind anterior convexity, sloping to metanotal groove.
 * Clypeal carinae conspicuously divergent anteriorly.

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

Nomenclature

 *  mavide. Monomorium mavide Bolton, 1987: 400 (w.) SOUTH AFRICA.

Worker
Holotype. TL 1.4, HL 0.38, HW 0.31, CI 82, SL 0.24, SI 77, PW 0.20, AL 0.38.

Clypeal carinae present and running to anterior margin. Maximum separation of carinae about equal to diameter of antennal socket, the carinae only very feebly divergent anteriorly. Anterior and lateral margins of prominent median portion of clypeus meeting in a blunt and obtuse angle, the margin without projecting angles or denticles at their junction. Anterior clypeal margin between apices of clypeal carinae transverse. Maximum diameter of eye 0.19 x HW and with 5 ommatidia in the longest row. In full-face view the eyes far in front of the midlength of the sides of the head. Antennal scapes relatively very short (SI < 80), when laid straight back from their insertions conspicuously failing to reach the occipital margin. Sides of head feebly convex in full-face view, head broadest behind the level of the eyes then narrowing somewhat to the occipital margin, which is extremely shallowly concave; head broader across the occiput than the clypeus. Head in profile with dorsal surface flat and ventral surface weakly convex. Anterior half of pronotum in profile convex but posterior half of pronotum and all of mesonotum flat, scarcely sloping towards the metanotal groove. Metanotal groove narrow and only shallowly impressed, the propodeal dorsum behind the groove more or less continuing the line of the promesonotum, then rounding broadly into the declivity. Propodeal spiracle very small, the metanotal cross-ribs short and only weakly developed. Petiole with a short stout anterior peduncle which is subtended by a narrow strip-like anteroventral process, the process truncated anteriorly. Node of petiole bluntly sub-conical, its ventral border convex and bulging. Postpetiole smaller, lower and more broadly rounded than petiole, its dorsum evenly domed-convex. All dorsal surfaces of head and body with standing hairs present, the promesonotum with 4-5 pairs. Sculpture absent except for minute hair-pits and metanotal cross-ribs. Head and gaster brown, the alitrunk light brownish yellow.

Paratypes. TL 1.4-1.5, HL 0.38-0.40, HW 0.30-0.32, CI 79-82, SL 0.24-0.25, SI 75-80, PW 0.20-0.21, AL 0.38-0.40, (5 measured). As holotype but generally with alitrunk the same colour as the head.

Type Material
Holotype worker, South Africa: Natal, Drakensberg, Giant's Castle, 2200 m, 1981 (C. Peeters). Paratypes. 5 workers with same data as holotype (BMNH; ).