Monomorium eremophilum

An inhabitant of arid areas, little is known about the biology of .

Identification
Heterick (2001) - A member of the monomorium group. Monomorium eremophilum resembles a diminutive Monomorium rothsteini, and shares with that species a PF of2,2. However, the shape of the eye is quite different, and the two taxa do not appear to be closely related. Moreover, the broad head of M. eremophilum serves to distinguish it from other small Monomorium with a PF of 1 ,2 and a rather oblique or reniform eye-shape.

Heterick (2009) - This species looks like a miniature Monomorium rothsteini but has 11-segmented antennae and the eye is elongate rather than ovate.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Castes
Known only from the worker caste.

Nomenclature

 * . Monomorium eremophilum Heterick, 2001: 400, figs. 38, 134, 137 (w.) AUSTRALIA (South Australia, New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia).
 * Type-material: holotype worker, 14 paratype workers.
 * Type-locality: holotype Australia: South Australia, Koonamore, 26.ii.1973 (P.J.M. Greenslade); paratypes: 1 worker with same data, 1 worker New South Wales, 5 km. W Broken Hill, 15.ix.1974 (P.J.M. Greenslade), 3 workers New South Wales, Fowlers Gap, 18.xi.1979 (P.J.M. Greenslade), 2 workers Queensland, 40 km. E Cameron Cnr, 22.xi.1979 (P.J.M. Greenslade), South Australia, 7 km. NW Morgan, 15-17.xii.1976, Traps J (P.J.M. Greenslade), 2 workers South Australia, SE shore Lake Acraman, Gawler Ra., 4.x.1972(P.J.M. Greenslade), 3 workers South Australia, 10 km. E Mt Ives Hsd, Aii SE, 22.x.1980 (P.J.M. Greenslade), 1 worker as last but 22-23.x.1980, 1 worker South Australia, Observatory Hill, Victoria Desert (P.J.M. Greenslade).
 * Type-depositories: ANIC (holotype); ANIC, BMNH, MCZC (paratypes).
 * Status as species: Heterick, 2009: 158.
 * Distribution: Australia.

Worker
Holotype. HML 1.54; HL 0.67; HW 0.62; Cei 93; SL 0.41; SI 67; PW 0.32. Others. HML 1.15-1.71; HL 0.46-0.71; HW 0.43-0.72; CeI 91-102; SL 0.28-0.51; SI 64-77; PW 0.24-0.34 (19 workers.)

As for the worker of Monomorium sydneyense, but with the following apomorphies.

Head. Frons of head capsule smooth and shining with evenly spaced, appressed setulae. Compound eyes reniform, with posterior surface of eye emarginate, or elongate, much longer than wide; (viewed laterally) compound eyes set at midline of head capsule; eye large, eye width greater than 1.5 x greatest width of antennal scape. Anteromedial clypeal margin emarginate, median clypeal carinae produced apically as pair of pronounced teeth. Venter of head capsule with elongate, basket-shaped setae in at least some individuals. Palp formula 2,2.

Alitrunk. Promesonotal sculpture present in form of microreticulation and striolae on and around katepisternum, otherwise promesonotum smooth and shining; dorsal promesonotal face evenly convex; erect and suberect promesonotal setae absent. Propodeal sculpture present as uniform microreticulation, with few or no striae or costulae; propodeal processes absent (propodeum smoothly rounded in profile or with slight hump at propodeal angle), or present as pronounced lamellae formed by extension of metapleural lobes. Declivitous face ofpropodeum flat. Erect and suberect propodeal setae >5; propodeal setulae absent.

Petiole and postpetiole. Petiolar node conical, dorsally rounded, or cuneate, dorsally rounded, or tumular and inclined anteriad. Ratio of greatest node breadth (viewed from front) to greatest node width (viewed in profile) near 4:3. Height ratio of petiole to postpetiole near 4:3.

Gaster. Pilosity of first gastral tergite consisting entirely of well-spaced appressed setulae.

General characters. Colour either pale orange with gaster fulvous, or chocolate brown with mandibles and appendages amber. Worker caste monomorphic.

Etymology
Greek: “lover of deserts”.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Heterick B. E. 2001. Revision of the Australian ants of the genus Monomorium (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Invertebrate Taxonomy 15: 353-459.