Syllophopsis sersalata

Know from just a few collections, with some noted as being taken from leaf litter in forest habitat.

Identification
Bolton (1987) - Known only from Rwanda, this montane species possesses a distinctly sculptured lower mesopleuron, a feature encountered in the African species of this group only here and in the west African Syllophopsis malamixta. The latter species, however, averages smaller than sersalatum and is much darker in colour.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Rwanda.

Nomenclature

 *  sersalata. Monomorium sersalatum Bolton, 1987: 424 (w.q.) RWANDA. Combination in Syllophopsis: Ward et al., 2014: 13.

Worker
Holotype. TL 2.2, HL 0.52, HW 0.42, CI 81, SL 0.42, SI 100, PW 0.31, AL 0.62.

Eyes of a single ommatidium, maximum diameter 0.07 x HW. Antennal scapes of moderate length, SI 100 in holotype (SI 94-100 in paratypes). Promesonotum in profile with dorsal outline evenly convex, the metanotal groove a sharply defined V-shaped impression. Propodeum immediately behind the metanotal groove rising to an acute peak then sloping quite steeply posteriorly to a pair of weakly projecting denticuliform angles which separate dorsum from declivity. All dorsal surfaces of head and body with numerous short standing hairs except for the propodeum where only two pairs are present. With the head in full-face view the scapes and sides of the head behind the eyes with erect to sub erect pubescence. Femora and tibiae with conspicuously elevated pubescence. Dorsal surfaces of head, alitrunk and gaster unsculptured except for scattered minute hair-pits. Sides of pronotum smooth. Lower half of mesopleuron finely but conspicuously punctulate-shagreenate, the upper half of the mesopleuron retaining vestiges of similar sculpture. Impression between mesopleuron and metapleuron/propodeum finely cross-ribbed. Sides of propodeum unsculptured but metapleuron finely longitudinally striate. Colour uniform yellow.

Paratypes. TL 2.0-2.2, HL 0.47-0.52, HW 0.38-0.44, CI 80-85, SL 0.36-0.42, SI 94-100, PW 0.26-0.31, AL 0.50-0.62 (13 measured). As holotype.

Type Material
Holotype worker, Rwanda: Kamiranzovu, 1900 m, i. 1976 (P. Werner). Paratypes. 5 workers with same data as holotype ; 6 workers, Kayove, 2100 m, 25.v.1973 (P. Werner); 3 workers and 1 female, Rangiro, 1800 m, 10.vii.1973 (P. Werner); 10 workers, Rangiro, ix.1976 (P. Werner) (MHNG; ; ).

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.