Monomorium cekalovici

Nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
Snelling (1975) - Worker: Propodeum broadly rounded, without sharp projections; head narrow, CI 82-88; malar area no longer than maximum eye length; penultimate antennomere 1.2-1.5 times longer than wide.

The color pattern will serve to separate N. cekalovici from the other described species. Four specimens from Algarrobo, Valparaiso, 21 July 1951 (Kuschel and Pefia; ) resemble N. cekalovici in color pattern. These were recorded by Kempf (1970) as Megalomyrmex bicolor. (=Monomorium chilense). Aside from the dark head and slightly more angulate propodeum they are very similar to bicolor and may represent a distinctive color phase of that species. These specimens differ from N. cekalovici in the sharply angulate propodeum and long malar area.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Chile.

Nomenclature

 *  cekalovici. Nothidris cekalovici Snelling, R.R. 1975: 3, figs. 3-4 (w.) CHILE. Combination in Monomorum: Fernández, in Heterick, 2006: 79; Fernández, 2007b: 132.

Worker
HL 0.86-1.10 (1.10); HW (excluding eyes, measured at level of top of eye) 0.71-0.96 (0.92); SL 0.78-0.99 (0.97); WL 1.13-1.48(1.48); PW 0.51-0.71 (0.71).

Head. Distinctly longer than broad, CI 82-88 (84); in frontal view, sides approximately parallel in middle and convergent above and below; occipital margin nearly flat. Scape short, SI I 03-111 ( 106); penultimate antennomere 1.2-1.5 ( 1.3) times longer than wide. Eye large, maximum diameter about 1.5 times minimum diameter; OMD 0. 79-1.00 (0.95) x EL. Clypeus weakly longitudinally sulcate, sides of median lobe weakly carinate; median setae present; one pair intercarinal setae; first pair paracarinal setae shorter; a few lateral setae present. Dental formula I +4. Palpal formula 4, 3.

Thorax. Of normal worker form for this genus, PW 0.43-0.48 (0.48) x WL. Promesonotum, in profile, strongly convex, abruptly sloping behind; promesonotal suture distinct to spiracle, above which and across dorsum, it is very faint. Metanotal groove distinctly impressed dorsally and on side. Mesothoracic dorsum, seen from above, distinctly narrowed behind. Propodeum longitudinally impressed; juncture of basal and posterior faces broadly rounded, not at all angulate. Propodeal spiracle small, round. Inferior propodeal plates large, with distinct angulation above. Metapleural gland large, distinct; posteroventrally with rounded protuberance bearing gland opening.

Nodes of petiole and postpetiole high, summits rounded in profile. Anterior peduncle of petiole ventrally carinate, carina ending truncately in front. Gastric profile biconvex.

Vestiture. Head, thorax and gaster with sparse, fine, long white hairs; scape with much shorter, suberect hairs; hairs appressed to subappressed on tibial extensor surfaces.

Integument. Entire ant smooth and shiny. Median lobe of clypeus bicarinate and with 1-3 short rugulae at side; a few fine rugulae in antenna( fossa; malar area with distinct, coarse rugulae; mandible coarsely rugulose; mesokatepisternum with numerous fine, diagonal striae, some faint; metapleuron with a few short, coarse rugulae.

Color. Thorax, petiole, postpetiole, and legs (except basitarsi) light yellowish to light reddish; head, gaster and basitarsi light brown. Mandibles reddish yellow, teeth blackish.

Type Material
Holotype and 21 worker paratypes: Chile, Prov. Aconcagua: Carretera Panamericana, km 206, 10 km north of Pichidangui, 23 Dec. 1963 (T. Cekalovic, No. 4174). Holotype and seven paratypes in LACM; 11 paratypes in : three paratypes in.

Etymology
This species is dedicated to Tomas Cekalovic K., collector of the type series and many other fine samples of Chilean ants.