Monomorium spectrum

This species has been collected from mesic forest habitats.

Identification
Bolton (1987) - A member of the M. boerorum complex in the M. monomorium species group. Among the Afrotropical species with 11-segmented antennae the distinctive and striking colour contrast between body and legs makes spectrum immediately recognizable.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Gabon, Kenya.

Nomenclature

 *  spectrum. Monomorium spectrum Bolton, 1987: 411 (w.) GABON.

Worker
Holotype. TL 1.3, HL 0.34, HW 0.28, CI 82, SL 0.22, SI 79, PW 0.17, AL 0.36.

Median portion of clypeus distinctly projecting anteriorly, its anterior margin transverse to extremely feebly concave and separated from the lateral margins by an obtuse angle; the margin lacking projecting angles or teeth where they meet. Clypeal carinae only weakly developed, almost effaced, widely separated and divergent anteriorly. Maximum diameter of eye 0.21 x HW, in profile the eye consisting of an outer ring of ommatidia which encloses a single transverse row of only two ommatidia; the maximum diameter of the eye with 4 ommatidia in the only longitudinal row. Eyes in full-face view distinctly in front of the midlength of the sides. Antennae with 11 segments. Antennal scapes, when laid straight back from their insertions, failing to reach the occipital margin. Promesonotum in profile having an evenly convex low but broad dome-like outline. Metanotal groove distinctly impressed, traversed by short but conspicuous cross-ribs. Propodeal dorsum convex but its highest point on a much lower level than that of the promesonotum, the dorsum rounding very broadly and evenly into the posteriorly sloping declivity. Propodeal spiracle small, not dominating the side of the sclerite. Petiole with a short and quite stout anterior peduncle which is subtended by a small longitudinal ventral process. Ventral outline of node behind level of process conspicuously convex. Petiole node bluntly subconical in profile, larger than the postpetiole but the latter somewhat more broadly rounded above. All dorsal surfaces of body with standing hairs present, the promesonotum with 5-6 pairs. Sculpture absent except for metanotal cross-ribs. Head and body a uniform rich dark brown, the legs extremely pale, off-white to bone-white and contrasting very strongly with the body.

Paratypes. TL 1.2-1.3, HL 0.32-0.36, HW 0.26-0.29, CI 80-82, SL 0.20-0.22, SI 76-79, PW 0.16-0.18, AL 0.34-0.37 (10 measured). As holotype but maximum diameter of eye 0.19-0.21 x HW.

Type Material
Holotype worker, Gabon: Makokou, x. 1972 (I. Lieberburg). Paratypes. Gabon: 8 workers with same data as holotype; 4 workers, Plateau d'Ipassa 9, IPA AN4 (J. A. Barra) (MCZ; ).

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.
 * Fisher B. L. 2004. Diversity patterns of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) along an elevational gradient on Monts Doudou in southwestern Gabon. Memoirs of the California Academy of Sciences 28: 269-286.