Monomorium zulu

This species has been collected in open woodland habitats.

Identification
Bolton (1987) - A member of the M. mediocre complex in the M. salomonis species group. Despite differences between zulu and Monomorium rabirium (see description below and identification and description sections for rabirium), I suspect that future collections of these forms made between their respective type-localities in Botswana and South Africa may well show a gradation of one form into the other.

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

Nomenclature

 * . Monomorium zulu Santschi, 1914e: 18 (w.) SOUTH AFRICA.
 * Type-material: syntype workers (number not stated, “many”).
 * Type-locality: South Africa: Zululand, Junction of Umfolozis, 10.vii.1905 (I. Trägårdh).
 * Type-depository: NHMB (perhaps also I NHRS).
 * Status as species: Arnold, 1916: 215; Emery, 1922e: 173; Wheeler, W.M. 1922a: 867; Ettershank, 1966: 93; Collingwood, 1985: 273; Bolton, 1987: 365 (redescription); Bolton, 1995b: 268; Borowiec, L. 2014: 127.
 * Distribution: South Africa.

Worker
Bolton (1987) - TL 1.7-1.8, HL 0.44-0.46, HW 0.34, CI 74-77, SL 0.29-0.30, SI 85-88, PW 0.20-0.22, AL 0.44-0.46 (2 measured).

Very closely related to Monomorium rabirium (mediocre-complex) and sharing its diagnostic characters, as given under the description of rabirium. The two differ in the following features.

rabirium Maximum diameter of eye 0·26-0·28 x HW, with 7 -8 ommatidia in the longest row. SI 92-97. Cephalic dorsum with traces of superficial reticular patterning close to occipital margin. Pronotal dorsum reticulate to shagreenate.

zulu Maximum diameter of eye 0·24-0·26 x HW, with 5-6 ommatidia in the longest row. SI 85-88. Cephalic dorsum smooth with scattered small pits close to occipital margin. Pronotal dorsum smooth.

Type Material
Bolton (1987) - Syntype workers, South Africa: Natal, Zululand, Junction of Umfolozis, 10.vii.1905 (I. Tragardh) [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.
 * Collingwood, C. A. "Hymenoptera: Fam. Formicidae of Saudi Arabia." Fauna of Saudi Arabia 7 (1985): 230-302.
 * Ettershank G. 1966. A generic revision of the world Myrmicinae related to Solenopsis and Pheidologeton (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Aust. J. Zool. 14: 73-171.
 * Parr C. L., H. G. Robertson, H. C. Biggs, and S. L. Chown. 2004. Response of African savanna ants to long-term fire regimes. Journal of Applied Ecology 41: 630-642.
 * Santschi F. 1914. Meddelanden från Göteborgs Musei Zoologiska Afdelning. 3. Fourmis du Natal et du Zoulouland récoltées par le Dr. I. Trägårdh. Göteborgs Kungliga Vetenskaps och Vitterhets Samhälles Handlingar. 15: 1-44.