Monomorium affabile

One of the two known collections of this species was from a pitfall trap in primary forest.

Identification
Bolton (1987) - A member of the M. malatu complex in the M. monomorium species group. M. affabile and Monomorium malatu are very closely related and eventually may even prove to be synonymous. Apart from a few minor differences (see below) the main discriminating features which presently separate the two are the dimensions and ratios, as follows.


 * affabile TL 1.5. HW 0.34, CI 81, SL 0.30, SI 88, PW 0.22, AL 0.40.
 * malatu TL 1.9-2.1, HW 0.38-0.46, CI 88-92, SL 0.33-0.38, SI 80-85, PW 0.26-0.28, AL 0.50-0.54.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Democratic Republic of Congo, United Republic of Tanzania.

Nomenclature

 * . Monomorium affabile Santschi, 1926b: 235, fig. 3B (w.) DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO.
 * Type-material: holotype worker.
 * Type-locality: Democratic Republic of Congo (“Congo belge”): Banzyville (= Mobayi-Mbongo) (R.P. Augustin).
 * Type-depository: NHMB.
 * Status as species: Ettershank, 1966: 87; Bolton, 1987: 375 (redescription); Bolton, 1995b: 258.
 * Distribution: Democratic Republic of Congo.

Worker
Bolton (1987) - TL 1.5, HL 0.42, HW 0.34, CI 81, SL 0.30, SI 88, PW 0.22, AL 0.40.

Answering the description of malatu but smaller, with a narrower head and longer scapes; see comparative dimensions below. Clypeus constructed as in malatu but carinae sharply developed, divergent anteriorly and reaching the anterior margin at the anterolateral angles of the projecting portion of the clypeus. Maximum diameter of eye 0.24 x HW, and with 5 ommatidia in the longest row. With the head in full face view the sides subparallel.

Type Material
Bolton (1987) - Holotype worker, Zaire: Banzyville (R. P. Augustin) [examined].

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.