Monomorium guillarmodi

Non type collections of this species were found in grassland pitfall-trap samples.

Identification
Bolton (1987) - A member of the M. boerorum complex in the M. monomorium species group. Immediately isolated from all other Afrotropical Monomorium in which the antennae have 11 segments by its lack of standing hairs anywhere on the dorsal alitrunk and their paucity elsewhere on the body.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Lesotho.

Nomenclature

 * . Monomorium (Lampromyrmex) guillarmodi Arnold, 1946: 63, figs. 15, 15a (w.q.) LESOTHO.
 * Type-material: syntype workers, syntype queen(s) (numbers not stated).
 * Type-locality: Lesotho (“Basutoland”): Mamathes, 5.ix.1942 (C. Jacot-Guillarmod).
 * Type-depository: SAMC.
 * Status as species: Ettershank, 1966: 89; Bolton, 1987: 392 (redescription); Bolton, 1995b: 262.
 * Distribution: Lesotho.

Worker
Bolton (1987) - TL 1.6-1.7, HL 0.40-0.41, HW 0.32-0.33, CI 78-80, SL 0.23-0.24, SI 72-75, PW 0.20-0.21, AL 0.38-0.42 ( 3 measured).

Basal (fourth) tooth of the smooth mandibles less than half the size of the third tooth. Median portion of anterior clypeal margin transverse or with a shallow and narrow central indentation. Maximum diameter of eye 0.15-0.17 x HW and with 5 ommatidia in the longest row. Peripheral ring of ommatidia enclosing more than one longitudinal row. Antennae with 11 segments, the scapes relatively short (SI < SO), failing to reach the occipital margin when laid straight back from their insertions. In full-face view the sides of the head evenly shallowly convex and the occipital margin almost transverse, with only the slightest indentation centrally. Median portion of clypeus prominent and with sharply defined anterolateral angles, with fine but conspicuous carinae. Posterior margins of eyes in front of the midlength of the sides in full-face view. In profile the anterior curved declivity of the pronotum is followed by a fiat promesonotal surface which terminates at the narrowly and shallowly impressed metanotal groove. Behind the metanotal groove the propodeal dorsum is shallowly convex and slopes posteriorly to its bluntly rounded junction with the declivity, the two surfaces meeting at the level of the pinhole-like spiracle. Petiole node markedly larger than postpetiole node in profile, the dorsal outline of the latter low and evenly domed-convex. Petiole node in profile with a short anterior peduncle which is subtended by a narrow ridge-like anteroventral process; ventral surface of petiole below the highest point of the node is broadly convex, the convexity projecting ventrally more than does the subpetiolar process. Petiole node low and bluntly triangular, narrowly rounded above. In dorsal view both nodes of approximately equal width, both slightly broader than long. Entire body unsculptured, smooth and shining except for narrow cross-ribbing at the metanotal groove. Dorsum of head with 1-2 pairs of standing hairs along the occipital margin and a pair at the frontal lobes, but the head between these lacking standing hairs. Dorsal alitrunk without standing hairs. Petiole and postpetiole each with a single pair of backward directed hairs and gaster with sparse similar pilosity. Colour glossy light to medium brown.

Type Material
Bolton (1987) - Syntype workers, female, Lesotho: Mamathes, 5 .ix. 1942 (c. Jacot-Guillarmod) [examined].

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Arnold G. 1946. New species of African Hymenoptera. No. 6. Occasional Papers of the National Museum of Southern Rhodesia. 2: 49-97.
 * 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.
 * Ettershank G. 1966. A generic revision of the world Myrmicinae related to Solenopsis and Pheidologeton (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Aust. J. Zool. 14: 73-171.
 * IZIKO South Africa Museum Collection