Monomorium herero

Nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
Bolton (1987) - Monomorium herero remains an enigmatic species. It appears to be related to the South African Monomorium willowmorense and the Namibian Monomorium kitectum, but in both of these the cephalic sculpture is vestigial. Besides this kitectum is smaller than herero and has relatively larger eyes (HW 0.43-0.45, maximum diameter of eye 0.29-0.31 x HW), and willowmorense has decidedly shorter scapes (SI 88-93). In overall appearance herero approaches Monomorium subopacum, but has the head much less strongly sculptured and lacks the median clypeal notch or impression characteristic of the latter.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Namibia.

Nomenclature

 *  herero. Monomorium salomonis subsp. herero Forel, 1910f: 16 (w.q.) NAMIBIA. Combination in M. (Xeromyrmex): Wheeler, W.M. 1922a: 870. Subspecies of salomonis: Santschi, 1917b: 284; of delagoense: Santschi, 1936a: 39. Raised to species: Bolton, 1987: 345.

Worker
Bolton (1987) - TL 2.8-3.1, HL 0.70-0.78, HW 0.58-0.64, CI 78-83, SL 0.57-0.64, SI 99-100, PW 0.34-0.40, AL 0.80-0.90 (7 measured).

Median portion of clypeus with its anterior free margin transverse, not concave or indented. Maximum diameter of eye 0.24-0.26 x HW and with 10-11 ommatidia in the longest row. Sides of head evenly convex in full-face view, the occipital margin shallowly concave. Metanotal groove not or only very feebly impressed. Propodeal dorsum with a flattened triangular area, not concave, lacking sharp margins or rims to the triangular area. Dorsum of head with 2-3 pairs of standing hairs behind the level of the frontal lobes and with another pair situated close to the occipital corners. Dorsal alitrunk without standing hairs. Petiole with a single pair and postpetiole with 1-2 pairs of backward directed hairs. First gastral tergite with 2 pairs of hairs present in front of the apical transverse row, situated at approximately one-third and one-half of the length of the sclerite. Dorsum of head sculptured with reticulation only. Promesonotal dorsum reticulate anteriorly, the sculpture becoming stronger posteriorly and approaching the reticulate-punctate condition of the propodeal dorsum. First gastral tergite with faint superficial reticulate patterning only, shining. Sides of pronotum finely reticulate, remainder of sides of alitrunk reticulate-punctate. Colour uniform dark brown.

Type Material
Bolton (1987) - Syntype workers, female, Namibia: Possession I., v.1903 (L. Schultze) [examined].