Monomorium speluncarum

Nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
Bolton (1987) - A member of the M. schultzei complex in the M. monomorium species group. Within the complex speluncarum, apart from being the smallest known species, has the unique combination of minute spiracle and broad metanotal groove. In the complex the various combinations of these two characters are as follows.

Propodeal spiracle large and dominating the sclerite, plus metanotal groove broad and traversed by long strong cross-ribs: Monomorium arboreum, Monomorium vecte, Monomorium crawleyi, Monomorium firmum, Monomorium kineti

Propodeal spiracle minute and pinhole-like, plus metanotal groove very narrow and traversed by short feeble cross-ribs: Monomorium bevisi, Monomorium excensurae, Monomorium schultzei

Propodeal spiracle minute and pinhole-like, plus metanotal groove broad and traversed by long strong cross-ribs: speluncarum.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Kenya.

Nomenclature

 *  speluncarum. Monomorium rhopalocerum st. speluncarum Santschi, 1914b: 72, fig. 6 (w.) KENYA. Raised to species: Bolton, 1987: 411.

Worker
Bolton (1987) - TL 1.6-1.7, HL 0.40-0.42, HW 0.31-0.32, CI 75-76, SL 0.33-0.34, SI 106-107, PW 0.20-0.22, AL 0.42-0.44 (3 measured).

Clypeal carinae fine and sharp, close together and subparallel, only slightly divergent anteriorly. Prominent median portion of clypeal margin narrow, its anterior margin separated from its lateral margins only by blunt to rounded angles; without projecting angles or denticles. Maximum diameter of eye 0.22 x HW and with 4-5 ommatidia in the longest row. With the head in full-face view the eyes situated just in front of the midlength of the sides, the posterior margins of the eyes approximately at the midlength. Antennal scapes, when laid straight back from their insertions, reaching the occipital margin; the scapes relatively long, SI > 105. Occipital margin of head broad and shallowly concave in full-face view, the sides very feebly convex. Promesonotal dorsum evenly convex in profile, high, on a much higher level than the propodeum. Extreme posterior portion of mesonotum suddenly downcurved and descending steeply to the broad, deep, strongly cross-ribbed metanotal groove. Propodeal dorsum short and rounding abruptly into the declivity, the two surfaces about equal in length. Propodeal spiracle minute, pinhole-like. Petiole node large and broadly subconical, narrowly rounded above. Postpetiole smaller and lower than petiole, more broadly and evenly rounded. All dorsal surfaces of head and body with standing hairs, the promesonotum with 4 pairs and the propodeum with 2 pairs. Sculpture restricted to faint granulation on the mesopleuron and the long strong cross-ribs of the metanotal groove, remainder of body smooth and featureless except for hair-pits. Colour uniform pale yellow.

Type Material
Bolton (1987) - Syntype workers, Kenya: Shimoni, st. no. 9.xi.1911, 'entree de la grotte A' (Alluaud & Jeannel) [examined].

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.
 * Ettershank G. 1966. A generic revision of the world Myrmicinae related to Solenopsis and Pheidologeton (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Aust. J. Zool. 14: 73-171.
 * Garcia F.H., Wiesel E. and Fischer G. 2013.The Ants of Kenya (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)Faunal Overview, First Species Checklist, Bibliography, Accounts for All Genera, and Discussion on Taxonomy and Zoogeography. Journal of East African Natural History, 101(2): 127-222