Monomorium tchelichofi

The only known collection beyond the type material is noted as being found in soil.

Identification
Bolton (1987) - A member of the M. tchelichofi complex in the M. salomonis species group. As mentioned under Monomorium fridae, tchelichofi may well be a junior synonym of this name. For the present the sparse material of the two allows them to be separated on slight differences in size, but further samples may well annul the presumed differences.

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

Nomenclature

 *  tchelichofi. Monomorium tchelichofi Forel, 1914d: 244 (w.) SOUTH AFRICA. See also: Bolton, 1987: 362.

Worker
Bolton (1987) - TL 3.8-4.0, HL 0.90-0.98, HW 0.74-0.82, CI 82-86, SL 0.74-0.80, SI 95-100, PW 0.46-0.52, AL 1.00-1.10 (10 measured).

Anterior margin of median portion of clypeus evenly concave in full-face view. Head relatively short and broad (CI above) with evenly shallowly convex sides. Eyes of moderate size, the maximum diameter 0.20-0.23 x HW and with 10-l1 ommatidia in the longest row. Occipital margin indented medially, shallowly concave. Alitrunk in profile with promesonotum evenly convex, highest at junction of pro- and mesonotum, the latter sloping posteriorly to the weakly impressed metanotal groove. Propodeal dorsum shallowly concave transversely, the margins, separating dorsum from sides rounded and not sharply defined. Dorsum of head with 3-4 pairs of standing hairs behind the level of the frontal lobes, all pairs straddling the midline and none close to the occipital corners. Dorsal alitrunk hairless. Petiole node with one pair, postpetiole with 2-3 pairs of backward directed hairs. First gastral tergite with short standing hairs sparsely but evenly distributed over the sclerite in front of the apical transverse row. Cephalic dorsum unsculptured except for superficial fine reticulate patterning. Dorsal alitrunk finely reticulate to reticulate-punctulate everywhere, the sculpture generally increasing in density and intensity from front to back. Dorsum of postpetiole with fine granulate to punctulate sculpture. First gastral tergite with fine and usually dense superficial reticulate patterning. Colour dark brown, the gaster usually darker in shade than the alitrunk.

Type Material
Bolton (1987) - Syntype workers, South Africa: Cape Prov., Willowmore (H. Brauns) [examined].

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Arnold G. 1916. A monograph of the Formicidae of South Africa. Part II. Ponerinae, Dorylinae. Annals of the South African Museum. 14: 159-270.
 * Ettershank G. 1966. A generic revision of the world Myrmicinae related to Solenopsis and Pheidologeton (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Aust. J. Zool. 14: 73-171.