Monomorium crawleyi

A collection of this species was found in a dead part of a Euphorbia plant.

Identification
Bolton (1987) - A member of the M. schultzei complex in the M. monomorium species group. The distinctive shape of the alitrunk and relatively large propodeal spiracle render this Ethiopian species easily recognizable. Its closest known relative appears to be Monomorium arboreum but here the alitrunk is differently shaped.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Ethiopia, Rwanda.

Nomenclature

 * . Monomorium (Monomorium) crawleyi Santschi, 1930a: 66 (w.) ETHIOPIA.
 * Type-material: 2 syntype workers.
 * Type-locality: Ethiopia (“Abyssinia”): Djem-Djem Forest, ca 8000 ft, 26.ix.1926 (H. Scott).
 * Type-depositories: BMNH, NHMB.
 * Status as species: Ettershank, 1966: 88; Bolton, 1987: 383 (redescription); Bolton, 1995b: 260.
 * Distribution: Ethiopia.

Worker
Bolton (1987) - TL 2.3-2.4, HL 0.57-0.59, HW 0.45-0.47, CI 78-81, SL 0.45-0.46, SI 98-102, PW 0.28-0.29, AL 0.64-0·68 (12 measured).

Anterior margin of prominent median portion of clypeus transverse to shallowly concave; the anterior and lateral margins of the prominent portion separated by obtuse angles, without projecting denticles or projecting sharp angles. Clypeal carinae sharply developed, subparallel, only very feebly divergent anteriorly and running to the anterior clypeal margin. Maximum diameter of eye 0.21-0.24 x HW and with 6-7 ommatidia in the longest row. With the head in full-face view the posterior margins of the eyes at or very close to the midlength of the sides of the head. Antennal scapes, when laid straight back from their insertions, just reaching the occipital margin. Sides of head behind eyes shallowly convex and somewhat convergent posteriorly in full-face view, the occipital margin with a short and shallow median indentation. Promesonotal outline in profile a shallow low even convexity, the extreme posterior portion of the mesonotum suddenly more steeply sloping. Metanotal groove a very broad shallow V-shaped identation. Propodeal dorsum and declivity behind the metanotal groove forming a single smoothly curved convexity. Propodeal spiracle large and conspicuous. Petiole node low and bluntly subconical in profile, the anteroventral process of the elongate peduncle with a small lobiform anterior section and a narrow strip-like posterior tail which reaches back to the level of the petiolar spiracle. Postpetiole much smaller than the petiole, lower and more broadly rounded. All dorsal surfaces of head and body with standing hairs present, the promesonotum with 5-6 pairs. Entirety of head unsculptured except for minute hair-pits. Alitrunk unsculptured except for long conspicuous metanotal cross-ribs and some faint reticulation on the mesopleuron. Colour yellow, the cephalic dorsum and posterior portion of the gaster darker.

Type Material
Bolton (1987) - Syntype workers, Ethiopia: Djem-Djem Forest, 8000 ft (2400 m) 26.ix.1926 (H. Scott)  [examined].

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Ettershank G. 1966. A generic revision of the world Myrmicinae related to Solenopsis and Pheidologeton (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Aust. J. Zool. 14: 73-171.
 * Santschi F. 1930. Description de Formicides éthiopiens nouveaux ou peu connus. V. Bulletin et Annales de la Société Entomologique de Belgique 70: 49-77.
 * Weber N. A. 1943. The ants of the Imatong Mountains, Anglo-Egyptian Sudan. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology 93: 263-389.