Monomorium lene

This species has been found in and around an ephemeral watercourse in plains habitat.

Identification
Bolton (1987) - A member of the M. leopoldinum complex in the M. monomorium species group. In the leopoldinum-complex three species, Monomorium borlei, lene, and Monomorium leopoldinum (= Monomorium madecassum), have relatively very large propodeal spiracles which dominate the side of the sclerite. This feature is best developed in leopoldinum itself, but the spiracle is only fractionally smaller in lene. Of the three borlei has only 3 pairs of standing hairs on the promesonotal dorsum, whereas the other two have more than 4 pairs (usually 6-7). M. borlei also has relatively long antennal scapes (SI 90-93) compared to the other two, which together show a range of SI 79-86. Separation of leopoldinum and lene rests on colour (the former is brown, the latter yellow) and the fact that the propodeal spiracle tends to be even larger in the former than in the latter.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Botswana, United Republic of Tanzania, Zimbabwe.

Nomenclature

 * . Monomorium lene Santschi, 1920b: 11, fig. 2g-h (w.) ZIMBABWE.
 * Type-material: syntype workers (number not stated).
 * Type-locality: Zimbabwe (“Southern Rhodesia”): Salisbury (= Harare), iv. 1917, no. 421 (G. Arnold).
 * Type-depositories: BMNH, NHMB.
 * Status as species: Wheeler, W.M. 1922a: 863; Arnold, 1926: 231; Ettershank, 1966: 90; Bolton, 1987: 397 (redescription); Bolton, 1995b: 263.
 * Distribution: Botswana, Tanzania, Zimbabwe.

Worker
Bolton (1987) - TL 1.8-2.1, HL 0·45-0·51, HW 0.35-0.42, CI 78-84, SL 0.29-0.34, SI 79-85, PW 0.23-0.27, AL 0.48-0.53 (10 measured).

Clypeal carinae close together posteriorly and widely divergent anteriorly, meeting the anterior margin in a pair of projecting angles or broad low denticles. Anterior margin of prominent median portion of clypeus distinctly concave between these angles, the concavity accentuating their projection. Maximum diameter of eye 0.21-0.23 x HW and with 5-6 ommatidia in the longest row. In full-face view the eyes situated in front of the midlength of the sides. Antennal scapes, when laid straight back from their insertions, failing to reach the occipital margin. Promesonotal dorsum shallowly convex in profile, sloping posteriorly to the narrow and only shallowly impressed metanotal groove. Metanotal cross-ribs present but short and inconspicuous. Propodeal spiracle large and dominating the sides of the sclerite. Node of petiole in profile low and subconical, narrowly rounded above. Anteroventral process of petiole peduncle an inconspicuous ridge which is truncated anteriorly and may be reduced in some individuals. Postpetiole in profile smaller and somewhat lower than the petiole, slightly anteroposteriorly compressed and broadly rounded above. All dorsal surfaces of head and body with numerous standing hairs, the promesonotum with 6-7 pairs. Head and body entirely lacking sculpture except for scattered minute hair-pits and metanotal cross-ribs. Colour yellow.

Type Material
Bolton (1987) - Syntype workers, Zimbabwe: Salisbury (= Harare), iv. 1917, no. 421 (R. W. Tucker) [examined].

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.
 * IZIKO South Africa Museum Collection