Monomorium boerorum

This species has been collected in Bushveld and grassland.

Identification
Bolton (1987) - A member of the M. boerorum complex in the M. monomorium species group. The true affinities of boerorum are difficult to discern as it possesses a petiole and postpetiole structure similar to that of Monomorium paternum and Monomorium nuptualis but lacks their clypeal structure. It lacks the much enlarged propodeal spiracle characteristic of Monomorium kelapre but apart from this the overall similarity with kelapre is striking.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: South Africa.

Nomenclature

 * . Monomorium minutum var. boerorum Forel, 1910e: 442 (w.q.) SOUTH AFRICA.
 * Type-material: syntype workers, syntype queen(s) (numbers not stated).
 * Type-locality: South Africa: Orange Free State, vii.6 (= 1906?) (Wroughton).
 * Type-depositories: BMNH, MHNG.
 * Subspecies of minutum: Forel, 1914d: 244; Arnold, 1916: 218; Wheeler, W.M. 1922a: 864; Emery, 1922e: 172; Ettershank, 1966: 88.
 * Status as species: Bolton, 1987: 381 (redescription); Bolton, 1995b: 260.
 * Distribution: South Africa.

Worker
Bolton (1987) - TL 1.9-2.0, HL 0.50-0.54, HW 0.38-0.43, CI 76-80, SL 0.33-0.34, SI 80-86, PW 0.24-0.25, AL 0.54-0.56 (3 measured).

Clypeal carinae feebly developed, visible posteriorly, divergent and fading out anteriorly. Prominent median portion of clypeus more or less evenly broadly convex across its entire width, its border not differentiated into anterior and lateral margins by a pair of angles or denticles. Maximum diameter of eye 0.19-0.21 x HW and with 6 ommatidia in the longest row. With the head in full-face view the posterior margins of the eyes conspicuously in front of the midlength of the sides and the scapes, when laid straight back from their insertions, falling far short of the occipital margin. Head with sides shallowly convex in full-face view and broadening posteriorly to the beginning of the curve of the occipital comer. Occipital margin broad and very shallowly transversely concave. Promesonotum shallowly convex in profile, sloping posteriorly to the weakly impressed metanotal groove; the latter with short but distinct cross-ribs. Propodeal dorsum evenly convex, the spiracle small. Petiole node low and thickly subconical, bluntly rounded above. Anterior peduncle of petiole short and stout, with a flange-like anteroventral process. Postpetiole much smaller than petiole, more broadly rounded above. All dorsal surfaces of body with standing hairs, 3-4 pairs present on promesonotum. Lower half of mesopleuron reticulate and metanotum cross-ribbed, otherwise entire body without sculpture except for hair-pits. Body glossy brown.

Type Material
Bolton (1987) - Syntype workers, female, South Africa: Orange Free State, vii.6. (Wroughton) [examined].

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Arnold G. 1916. A monograph of the Formicidae of South Africa. Part II. Ponerinae, Dorylinae. Annals of the South African Museum. 14: 159-270.
 * 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.
 * Forel A. 1910. Note sur quelques fourmis d'Afrique. Annales de la Société Entomologique de Belgique 54: 421-458.
 * Forel A. 1914. Formicides d'Afrique et d'Amérique nouveaux ou peu connus. Bulletin de la Société Vaudoise des Sciences Naturelles 50: 211-288.