Monomorium wahibiense

Heatwole (1990) found Monomorium ants to be the commonest component of the desert ant fauna in the United Arab Emirates sand dunes. M. wahibiense was the most numerous and is clearly a true desert-adapted species. (Collingwood and Agosti 1996)

Identification
Collingwood and Agosti (1996) - M. wahibiense is very similar to Monomorium mintiribe but can be immediately distinguished by the less steep-sided lower petiole node.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: United Arab Emirates. Palaearctic Region: Oman.

Nomenclature

 *  wahibiense. Monomorium wahibiense Collingwood & Agosti, 1996: 357 (w.) OMAN.

Worker
Holotype: TL 2.65; HL 0.66; HW 0.51; EL/HW 0.307; range: CI 78-86; SI 102-9.

The clypeal front border is straight. The head has curved sides broadening anteriorly from eye level. The ali trunk is low and flat with a shallow mesopropodeal break and the propodeal furrow is shallow without raised side margins. The alitrunk has one pair of hairs, the petiole one pair and the postpetiole two pairs. The gaster and ventral head have several hairs. The head has reticulopunctate sculpture, the alitrunk is weakly sculptured except at the sides of the mesopropodeum. The gaster is brilliant and the general aspect shining.

Type Material
Holotype: worker, Oman, Wahiba Sands, 6.VIII.1986, M.D. Gallagher. - Paratypes: Oman: workers, same series as holotype. - United Arab Emirates: workers, Djebel Haffete, 3-4.X.1984, H. Heatwole; workers, Ras Ghanada, IX.1992, B. Tigar.