Monomorium torvicte

The only known non-type collection of this species was made from a grassland litter sample.

Identification
Bolton (1987) - A member of the M. boerorum complex in the M. monomorium species group. Closest related to Monomorium mavide, another minute South African species. Differentiating characters of torvicte and mavide are given under the latter name.

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

Nomenclature

 *  torvicte. Monomorium torvicte Bolton, 1987: 416 (w.) SOUTH AFRICA.

Worker
Holotype. TL 1.5, HL 0.45, HW 0.34, CI 76, SL 0.27, SI 79, PW 0.20, AL 0.44.

Clypeal carinae distinctly developed, relatively close together posteriorly and widely divergent anteriorly, reaching the anterior clypeal margin. Prominent median portion of clypeus with its anterior margin transverse between the apices of the carinae, the anterior and lateral borders separated by an obtuse angle but lacking denticles or projections where the borders meet. Maximum diameter of eye 0.21 x HW and with 6 ommatidia in the longest row. Eye in full-face view distinctly far in front of the midlength of the sides of the head. In profile the eye elongate-oval, its long axis noticeably greater than its vertical axis. Antennal scapes, when laid straight back from their insertions, conspicuously failing to reach the occipital margin. Sides of head shallowly convex in full-face view, broadest at about the midlength; occipital margin broad and broadly, shallowly concave. Head in profile dorsoventrally flattened. Cephalic dorsum of holotype dented but in paratypes the ventral surface of the head is flat to very shallowly convex, the dorsum only slightly more convex than the ventre in profile. Promesonotal dorsum evenly shallowly convex in profile, curving downwards posteriorly to the conspicuously impressed metanotal groove. Metanotal cross-ribs distinct. Propodeal spiracle small and the propodeal dorsal outline convex behind the metanotal groove. Propodeum on a lower level than highest point of promesonotum and posteriorly rounding broadly and evenly into the declivity. Anterior peduncle of petiole short and stout, subtended by a short narrow strip-like anteroventral process which is truncated anteriorly. Node of petiole relatively low and broad in profile, broadly rounded above and with about the same degree of convexity as the postpetiolar dorsum. Postpetiole smaller and lower than the petiole node. All dorsal surfaces of head and body with standing hairs present. All available material somewhat abraded but the promesonotum probably with 5 pairs of standing hairs, of which the pair at the pro notal humeri is the longest. Sculpture absent except for minute hair-pit􀋹 and metanotal cross-ribs. Colour uniform dark brown.

Paratypes. TL l.5-1.6, HL 0.44-0.45, HW 0.33-0.35, CI 75-80, SL 0.25-0.28, SI 76-80, PW 0.18-0.21, AL 0.42-0.45 (5 measured). Maximum diameter of eye 0.20-0.21 x HW. All specimens uniformly brown in colour but the shade varying from medium to dark. The lighter individuals may not have acquired full adult colour.

Type Material
Holotype worker, South Africa: Cape Town, vii. 1912, ex coli. S.A. Museum, G. Arnold, no. 155 (on underside of card) (E. Phillips). Paratypes. 6 workers and 1 female mounted on same card (BMNH). Holotype is third from right and is indicated by a small directional arrow on the card.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * IZIKO South Africa Museum Collection