Syllophopsis elgonensis

Nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
Bolton (1987) - M. elgonense is separated from Syllophopsis jonesi and Syllophopsis thrascolepta by its shorter scapes, from the Rwandan Syllophopsis sersalata and the west African Syllophopsis malamixta by its smooth mesopleuron, from Syllophopsis modesta by its deeply impressed metanotal groove, and from Syllophopsis cryptobia by being larger and having the propodeum produced into an acute peak behind the metanotal groove. At present elgonense is known only from Kenya.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Kenya.

Nomenclature

 * . Syllophopsis elgonensis Santschi, 1935b: 267, fig. 4 (w.) KENYA.
 * Type-material: holotype worker.
 * Type-locality: Kenya: Mt Elgon, east slope, camp 1, st. 13, 2100 m., 1932-33 (R. Jeannel & P.A. Chappuis).
 * Type-depository: MNHN.
 * Combination in Monomorium: Bolton, 1987: 422;
 * combination in Syllophopsis: Ward, et al. 2015: 73.
 * Status as species: Ettershank, 1966: 101; Bolton, 1987: 422 (redescription); Bolton, 1995b: 261; Hita Garcia, et al. 2013: 212; Sharaf & Aldawood, 2013a: 82 (in key).
 * Distribution: Kenya.

Worker
Bolton (1987) - TL 1.9-2.0, HL 0.48-0.51, HW 0.40-0.43, CI 80-84, SL 0.36-0.39, SI 90-95, PW 0.29-0.30, AL 0.56-0.60 ( 8 measured).

Eyes of a single ommatidium, maximum diameter 0.05-0.07 x HW. Antennal scapes relatively short, SI < 100. Promesonotal dorsal outline evenly rounded in profile, the metanotal groove conspicuously impressed. In profile the propodeal dorsum immediately behind the groove with a small peak, which appears as a weak transverse crest in dorsal view. Propodeal dorsum behind this peak sloping posteriorly to the pair of short broad denticles or prominent triangular angles which mark the junction of dorsum and declivity. All dorsal surfaces of head and body with numerous short hairs and very sparse pubescence. Propodeum with only 1-2 pairs of hairs. Pubescence on sides of head behind eyes decumbent to appressed, that on the antennal scapes more elevated but not erect. Unsculptured everywhere except for scattered minute hair-pits, and some faint striation on the bullae of the metapleural glands; lower halves of mesopleuron smooth and shining. Colour uniform yellow.

Type Material
Bolton (1987) - Holotype worker, Kenya: Mt Elgon, camp 1, st. 13, 2100 m, 1932-33 (Jeannel & Chappuis) [examined].

The holotype is much abraded and densely coated with old glue which obscures the pilosity and some of the surface detail.

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
 * Santschi F. 1935. Hymenoptera. I. Formicidae. Mission Scientifique de l'Omo 2: 255-277.
 * Sharaf M. R., and A. S. Aldawood. 2013. First occurrence of the Monomorium hildebrandti-group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), in the Arabian Peninsula, with description of a new species M. kondratieffi n. sp.