Monomorium vaguum

Relatively well collected for an Afrotropical Monomorium, this species has been collected in a variety of open and semi-open habitats.

Identification
Bolton (1987) - A member of the M. boerorum complex in the M. monomorium species group. Among the Afrotropical species with 11 antennal segments vaguum is presently characterised by its possession of a conspicuous clump of standing hairs on the anterior half of the pronotum, an area where the pilosity is obviously much denser than anywhere else on the dorsal alitrunk.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa.

Nomenclature

 * . Monomorium (Lampromyrmex) vaguum Santschi, 1930a: 68, figs. 26-29 (w.q.) DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO.
 * Type-material: syntype workers (number not stated), 1 syntype queen.
 * Type-locality: Democratic Republic of Congo (“Congo belge”): Leopoldville (= Kinshasa), vi. 1918 (G. Maes).
 * Type-depository: NHMB.
 * Status as species: Ettershank, 1966: 93; Bolton, 1987: 418 (redescription); Bolton, 1995b: 268; Hita Garcia, et al. 2013: 213.
 * Distribution: Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa.

Bolton (1987) - I am treating all the listed samples as a single species, vaguum, based on the combination of characters noted above and those in the key. It is fairly certain that more than one sibling species is involved here, but the few short series presently available for study do not permit any objective subdivision of the mass at this time.

Worker
Bolton (1987) - TL 1.3-1.4, HL 0.37-0.40, HW 0.30-0.31, CI 76-82, SL 0.24-0.26, SI 80-86, PW 0.18-0.20, AL 0.36-0.42 (10 measured).

Clypeal carinae moderately developed but distinct, widely separated and divergent anteriorly. Median portion of clypeus shallowly prominent and unarmed, its anterior margin more or less transverse between the apices of the clypeal carinae. Maximum diameter of eye 0.20-0.23 x HW. In profile the eye conspicuously longer than high and consisting of an outer ring of ommatidia enclosing a single longitudinal row of 2-3 ommatidia. Sometimes one or two other ommatidia may also be enclosed in the ring, but this is rare. In full-face view the eyes distinctly in front of the midlength of the sides. Antennae 11-segmented. Scapes, when laid straight back from their insertions, failing to reach the occipital margins. Promesonotum in profile more or less flat posteriorly, sloping to the narrow but impressed metanotal groove. Propodeum in profile with dorsum and declivity forming a single smooth broad curve. Petiole node low and subconical, narrowly rounded above. Subpetiolar process a narrow inconspicuous strip below the short anterior peduncle. Postpetiole smaller than petiole in profile, lower and much more broadly rounded. All dorsal surfaces of head and body with standing hairs, the promesonotum characteristically with a distinct clump of 5-6 (rarely 4) pairs of standing hairs on the anterior half of the pronotum and more sparsely distributed pairs of hairs behind this. Sculpture absent except for metanotal cross-ribs and sometimes with faint shagreening on the mesopleuron. Colour ranging from dull yellow to medium brown.

Type Material
Bolton (1987) - Syntype workers, female, Zaire: Leopoldville, vi.1918 (G. Maes) [examined].

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * 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.
 * Braet Y., and B. Taylor. 2008. Mission entomologique au Parc National de Pongara (Gabon). Bilan des Formicidae (Hymenoptera) recoltes. Bulletin S. R. B. E./K.B.V.E. 144: 157-169.
 * Garcia F.H., Wiesel E. and Fischer G. 2013.The Ants of Kenya (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)Faunal Overview, First Species Checklist, Bibliography, Accounts for All Genera, and Discussion on Taxonomy and Zoogeography. Journal of East African Natural History, 101(2): 127-222
 * IZIKO South Africa Museum Collection
 * Stephens S. S., P. B. Bosu, and M. R. Wager. 2016. Effect of overstory tree species diversity and composition on ground foraging ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in timber plantations in Ghana. International Journal of Biodiversity Science, Ecosystem Services & management 12(1-2): 96-107.