Monomorium altinode

One of the type labels states the specimen was collected from a termite mound.

Identification
Bolton (1987) - A member of the M. altinode complex in the M. monomorium species group. M. altinode is very closely related to Monomorium arnoldi, Monomorium fugelanum and Monomorium tynsorum, the four together forming a very uniform agglomeration. On present evidence I regard them as separate species, but further collecting may reduce the taxonomic distance between some or all of them. For the present the four are separated by their dimensions and some small morphological features. Their critical dimensions compare as follows.


 * arnoldi SI 95-98, HW 0.40-0.41, CI 74-77, Diameter of eye X HW 0.20-0.22.
 * tynsorum SI 90-95, HW 0.40-0.44, CI 78-81, Diameter of eye X HW 0.24-0.25.
 * fugelanum SI 92-95, HW 0.36-0.39, CI 74-78, Diameter of eye X HW 0.26-0.28.
 * altinode SI 87-89, HW 0.37, CI 77, Diameter of eye X HW 0.22-0.24.

Apart from this tynsorum, marginally the largest and broadest-headed species, has 7-8 pairs of hairs on the promesonotal dorsum (as opposed to 5 pairs in the remaining species), and has the petiole node somewhat thicker in profile than the remainder. Its propodeal spiracle is not reduced in size and the curve of the promesonotal outline is not strongly convex. In fugelanum, which is relatively small and has the largest eyes of the four species under consideration, the propodeal spiracle is minute (Fig. 88) and the petiole node narrow. M. altinode has the shortest scapes of the four and has the promesonotal outline most strongly convex, whilst arnoldi, the species with the longest scapes and smallest eyes, tends to develop a weak dorsolateral crest on the petiole node which may extend down the upper portion of the side of the node.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo.

Nomenclature

 *  altinode. Monomorium rhopalocerum var. altinodis Santschi, 1910c: 359, fig. 4 (w.) CONGO. Raised to species: Santschi, 1914e: 18. Senior synonym of bondroiti: Bolton, 1987: 375.
 * bondroiti. Monomorium altinode var. bondroiti Santschi, 1920b: 10, fig. 1 (w.) DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO. Junior synonym of altinode: Bolton, 1987: 375.

Worker
Bolton (1987) - TL 1.7, HL 0.48, HW 0.37, CI 77, SL 0.32-0.33, SI 87-89, PW 0.24-0.26, AL 0.48 (2 measured).

Clypeal carinae sharply developed and strongly divergent anteriorly, the carinae and the median anterior clypeal margin forming a near-equilateral triangle. Projecting median portion of anterior clypeal margin flanked by a low but quite broad triangular prominence or denticle on each side, which separates the transverse to shallowly concave anterior margin from the lateral margin of the projecting portion on each side. Maximum diameter of eye 0.22-0.24 x HW and with 6 ommatidia in the longest row. With the head in, full-face view the eyes conspicuously in front of the midlength of the sides and the scapes, when laid straight back from their insertions, failing to reach the occipital margin. Sides of head very shallowly convex in full-face view, the occipital margin broad and very feebly concave medially. Promesonotal outline high and convex in profile, on a much higher level than the propodeum. Mesonotum sloping evenly to the shallowly impressed metanotal groove. Propodeal dorsum sloping posteriorly and rounding broadly into the declivity. Propodeal spiracle small but not pinhole-like, not dominating the side of the sclerite. Petiole node in profile high and narrow, anteroposteriorly compressed and narrowly rounded above. Postpetiole lower and more broadly rounded than petiole but with a vertical anterior face. All dorsal surfaces of head and body with standing hairs, the promesonotum with 5 pairs and the propodeum with 2 pairs. Sculpture absent except for cross-ribs at the metanotal groove. Colour yellow.

Type Material
Bolton (1987) - Holotype worker, Congo: Brazzaville (Weiss) [examined].

The holotype of bondroiti is badly damaged, the post-alitrunkal segments all missing.

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.
 * Santschi F. 1910. Formicides nouveaux ou peu connus du Congo français. Annales de la Société Entomologique de France 78: 349-400.
 * Santschi F. 1920. Formicides nouveaux du Gabon, du Congo, de la Rhodesia et du Natal. Annales de la Société Entomologique de Belgique 60: 6-17.
 * Wheeler W. M. 1922. Ants of the American Museum Congo expedition. A contribution to the myrmecology of Africa. VIII. A synonymic list of the ants of the Ethiopian region. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 45: 711-1004