Monomorium tynsorum

The type was collected from the body of a dead bird.

Identification
Bolton (1987) - A member of the M. altinode complex in the M. monomorium species group. Of the presently recognized species in the altinode-complex two, Monomorium occidentale and Monomorium vonatu, are blackish brown or black in colour and have unique clypeal and petiolar configurations respectively. The remainder, Monomorium altinode, Monomorium angustinode, Monomorium arnoldi, Monomorium captator, Monomorium fugelanum and Monomorium tynsorum, are yellow and lack the clypeal and petiolar specializations seen in the above. M. angustinode has a very distinctive form of propodeum and tubercle-borne spiracle which separates it from the remainder, and the propodeal spiracle is conspicuously enlarged in the densely hairy captator. The four remaining species are very closely related and details of their separation are given under altinode.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Angola.

Nomenclature

 *  tynsorum. Monomorium tynsorum Bolton, 1987: 417, figs. 62, 87 (w.) ANGOLA.

Worker
Holotype. TL 2.1, HL 0.54, HW 0.42, CI 78, SL 0.38, SI 90, PW 0.28, AL 0.56.

Clypeal carinae strongly developed and sharp, conspicuously divergent anteriorly and terminating on the anterior margin in a pair of small projecting denticles. Space between the clypeal carinae transversely shallowly concave. Anterior margin of prominent median portion of clypeus transverse to extremely shallowly concave between the denticles. Maximum diameter of eye 0.24 x HW and with 7 ommatidia in the longest row. With the head in full-face view the posterior margins of the eyes in front of the midlength of the sides of the head. Antennal scapes, when laid straight back from their insertions, failing to reach the occipital margin. Sides of head shallowly convex behind the eyes and very feebly convergent posteriorly. Occipital margin broad and extremely weakly concave medially; almost transverse. Promesonotal dorsum evenly convex in profile, sloping posteriorly to the narrow but distinctly impressed metanotal groove. Metanotal cross-ribs short but conspicuous. Propodeal spiracle of moderate size, not reduced to a minute pinhole-like aperture. Propodeal dorsum shallowly convex and sloping posteriorly, rounding into the short but more steeply descending declivity. Petiole peduncle with a small low anteroventral process which extends back to the level of the spiracle. Petiole node high but somewhat thicker than in closely related species (compare Figs 84-88), narrowly rounded above. Postpetiole with a vertical anterior face to the node, smaller and somewhat narrower than the petiole, and more broadly rounded dorsally. All dorsal surfaces of head and body with standing hairs, the promesonotum with 7-8 pairs. Sculpture absent except for scattered minute hair-pits, metanotal cross-ribs and some faint vestiges on the mesopleuron. Colour yellow.

Paratypes. TL 2.1-2.3, HL 0.52-0.55, HW 0.40-0.44, CI 78-81, SL 0.37-0.40, SI 90-95, PW 0.24-0.28, AL 0.54-0.60 (8 measured). As holotype but maximum diameter of eye 0.24-0.25 x HW.

Type Material
Holotype worker, Angola: Luanda, 24.viii.1949, from body of dead bird (G. R. Gradwell & D. Snow) .Paratypes. 14 workers with same data as holotype (BMNH; ).