Monomorium personatum

Nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
Bolton (1987) - A member of the M. bicolor complex in the M. salomonis species group. M. personatum is distinguished from all other members of the complex by its relatively large eyes, the maximum diameter of 0.31-0.33 x HW contrasting with the combined range of 0.19-0.27 x HW shown in the remainder of the complex (Monomorium bicolor, Monomorium dictator, Monomorium hirsutum, Monomorium rufulum, Monomorium westi). The dense gastral pilosity shown by personatum, as well as its large eyes, differentiates it from bicolor, the species with which it was originally associated as a subspecies.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Angola.

Nomenclature

 * . Monomorium (Xeromyrmex) bicolor st. personatum Santschi, 1937d: 222, fig. 29 (w.) ANGOLA.
 * Type-material: syntype workers (number not stated “many”).
 * Type-locality: Angola: Kamba, 1932-33, no. 122 (A. Monard).
 * Type-depository: NHMB.
 * Subspecies of bicolor: Ettershank, 1966: 91.
 * Status as species: Bolton, 1987: 356 (redescription); Bolton, 1995b: 265.
 * Material of the unavailable names bimaculatum, bimaculatoides referred here by Bolton, 1987: 356.
 * Distribution: Angola.

Worker
Bolton (1987) - TL 3.0-3.5, HL 0.72-0.78, HW 0.52-0.58, CI 72-76, SL 0.58-0.66, SI 109-114, PW 0.37-0.42, AL 0.88-0.98 (7 measured).

Basal (fourth) tooth of mandible only slightly smaller than the third tooth. Eyes relatively large, maximum diameter 0.31-0.33 x HW and with 10-11 ommatidia in the longest row. Head, alitrunk, petiole and postpetiole reticulate-punctate. First gastral tergite reticulate to shagreenate basally. With head in full-face view the sides lacking projecting hairs. Dorsal alitrunk without standing hairs; petiole with a single pair of hairs; postpetiole with two pairs. First gastral tergite with numerous standing hairs which are evenly distributed over the sclerite in front of the apical transverse row. Colour orange with blackish brown gaster, the two strongly contrasting. Base of first gastral tergite with a pair of yellow-orange spots of vaying size, one spot on each side of the midline.

Type Material
Bolton (1987) - Syntype workers, Angola: Kamba, 1932-33, no. 122 (A. Monard) [examined].

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Santschi F. 1937. Résultats de la Mission scientifique suisse en Angola (2me voyage) 1932-1933. Fourmis angolaises. Revue Suisse de Zoologie. 44: 211-250.