Monomorium algiricum

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: Algeria, Iberian Peninsula, Spain.

Biology
Thirty-five colonies (228-3999 workers) of Monomorium algiricum were excavated at different times of the year (Peeters & Tinaut 2014). New sexuals (ergatoid queens and males) were found during a short period at the end of summer. Dissection of spermathecae in 331 queens revealed that new gynes mate soon after emergence. Ovarian activity was assessed to distinguish between "old" and newly mated queens. Both monogynous and polygynous colonies were found throughout the year; queens in the latter were less fecund. Sexuals were not produced in some polygynous colonies. The life history of M. algiricum is complex due to interactions between extreme seasonality (no foraging and no egg-laying during six months of the year), coexistence between "old" and newly mated ergatoid queens, and the irregularity inherent to colony fission.



Castes
Queens are ergatoid and markedly bigger than workers. Due to lack of wing muscles, the thorax of ergatoid queens is worker-like with a decreased volume and pronounced fusion of flight sclerites. Queens of M. algiricum have 28-40 ovarioles (Peeters & Tinaut 2014). Monomorium workers lack ovaries.



Nomenclature

 * . Epixenus algiricus Bernard, 1955b: 274, figs. 1a-e, 2 (w.q.l.) ALGERIA.
 * Type-material: 12 syntype workers, 4 syntype ergatoid queens.
 * Type-locality: Algeria: Kaddous, 7 km. S Algiers, iii.1945 (F. Bernard).
 * [Note: Bernard also includes as “cotypes” >200 workers, 4 queens from either Kaddous, or from Algeria: Forêt de Bainem, 6 km. W Algiers, 380 m., 1947 to 1955 (F. Bernard).]
 * Type-depository: MNHN.
 * Tinaut & Ortiz, 1988: 167 (m.).
 * Combination in Monomorium: Brown & Wilson, 1957b: 245.
 * Status as species: Ettershank, 1966: 87; Cagniant, 1970a: 418; Tohmé, H. & Tohmé, G. 1980a: 1106 (in key); Tinaut & Ortiz, 1988: 167 (redescription); Bolton, 1995b: 259; Borowiec, L. 2014: 115.
 * Distribution: Algeria, Spain.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Barech G., M. Khaldi, X. Espadaler, and H. Cagniant. 2017. The genus Monomorium Mayr, 1855 (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) in the Maghreb (North Africa): Identification key, redescription of Monomorium major Bernard, 1953 and new records from Algeria. Boletin de la Sociedad Entomológica Aragonesa 61: 151-157.
 * Borowiec L. 2014. Catalogue of ants of Europe, the Mediterranean Basin and adjacent regions (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Genus (Wroclaw) 25(1-2): 1-340.
 * Ortiz, F. J.. "Formícidos del litoral granadino." Memoria de Licenciatura Universida (1985): 206 pp.
 * Tinaut A. 2016. Ants of the Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama Mountains Natural Park (Andalusia, Spain) (Hymenoptera, Formicidae). Boln. Asoc. esp. Ent., 40 (1-2): 125-159.
 * Tinaut, A., and F. J. Ortiz. "Descripción del macho de Monomorium algiricum (Bernard, 1955) y consideraciones sobre el valor taxonómico del género Epixenus Emery, 1908." Boletín de la Asociación Española de Entomología 12 (1988): 165-174.