Monomorium disoriente

Nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
Bolton (1987) - A member of the M. malatu complex in the M. monomorium species group. The affinities of disoriente appear to lie with Monomorium affabile, Monomorium tanysum and their allies. For notes see under tanysum.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: United Republic of Tanzania.

Nomenclature

 *  disoriente. Monomorium disoriente Bolton, 1987: 383, fig. 83 (w.) TANZANIA.

Worker
Holotype. TL 1.8, HL 0.46, HW 0.37, CI 80, SL 0.34, SI 92, PW 0.23, AL 0.52.

Projecting median portion of clypeus with a broad, more or less transverse anterior margin which is separated from the lateral margins only by bluntly rounded angles, without trace of projecting denticles or prominences. Clypeal carinae widely separated and divergent anteriorly, reaching the anterior clypeal margin. Maximum diameter of eye 0.24 x HW and with 6-7 ommatidia in the longest row. With the head in full-face view the eyes only fractionally in front of the midlength of the sides and the antennal scapes, when laid straight back from their insertions, just failing to reach the occipital margin. Sides of head shallowly convex in full-face view, the occipital margin broad and almost transverse, only with a very small central indentation. Promesonotum in profile evenly convex, highest at about the midlength; the promesonotum much higher than the propodeum. Mesonotum sloping posteriorly to the broadly but shallowly impressed metanotal groove, the latter traversed by long strong cross-ribs. Propodeum highest immediately behind the metanotal groove, the surface behind this approximately flat and sloping posteriorly. Propodeal spiracle small. Petiole with a short anterior peduncle which is subtended by a conspicuous lamellate ventral process. Petiole node high and bluntly subconical in profile. Postpetiole in profile with a steep anterior face and much more gently sloping posterior surface. Standing hairs present on all dorsal surfaces of head and body, the promesonotum with 4-5 pairs. Head and body unsculptured except for hair-pits, strong metanotal cross-ribs and fine reticulate-punctation on the upper half of the mesopleuron behind the pronotal laterotergite. Colour glossy pale brown, the gaster slightly darker in shade than the head and alitrunk.

Type Material
Holotype worker, Tanzania ('Afr.Or.all'): Bezirk-Bukoba, Buk. 26 (Viehmeyer).

The holotype of disoriente was originally mounted on the same pin as the lectotype of Monomorium strangulatum. The two are distinctly different species as the latter has only 11 antennal segments (12 in disoriente) and has small clypeal denticles present, among other features. Santschi's (1921b) original description appears to refer only to the specimen now treated as lectotype of strangulatum, so the second specimen on the mount has been remounted and now constitutes the holotype of disoriente.