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Monomorium excelsior
| Monomorium excelsior | |
|---|---|
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Formicidae |
| Subfamily: | Myrmicinae |
| Tribe: | Solenopsidini |
| Genus: | Monomorium |
| Species: | M. excelsior |
| Binomial name | |
| Monomorium excelsior Arnold, 1926
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| Synonyms | |
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One collection of this species was found in Strandveld habitat. Little else is known about the biology of this species.
Identification
Bolton (1987) - A member of the M. tchelichofi complex in the M. salomonis species group. First described by Arnold (1926) as a variety of Monomorium tchelichofi, excelsior clearly ranks as a separate species. Not only do the two have very different distributions of pilosity but also their dimensions show marked differences. Compare the measurements given in the description with those of tchelichofi (HW 0.74-0.82, CI 82-86, SI 95-100). Also the eyes of tchelichofi tend to be somewhat smaller, maximum diameter 0.20-0.23 x HW, and the dorsal alitrunk is more evenly and more strongly sculptured than in excelsior.
Keys including this Species
Distribution
Latitudinal Distribution Pattern
Latitudinal Range: -32.91667° to -34.41667°.
| North Temperate |
North Subtropical |
Tropical | South Subtropical |
South Temperate |
- Source: AntMaps
Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: South Africa (type locality).
Distribution based on AntMaps
Distribution based on AntWeb specimens
Check data from AntWeb
Countries Occupied
| Number of countries occupied by this species based on AntWiki Regional Taxon Lists. In general, fewer countries occupied indicates a narrower range, while more countries indicates a more widespread species. |
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Estimated Abundance
| Relative abundance based on number of AntMaps records per species (this species within the purple bar). Fewer records (to the left) indicates a less abundant/encountered species while more records (to the right) indicates more abundant/encountered species. |
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Biology
Castes
Nomenclature
The following information is derived from Barry Bolton's Online Catalogue of the Ants of the World.
- excelsior. Monomorium tchelichofi var. excelsior Arnold, 1926: 227 (w.m.) SOUTH AFRICA.
- Type-material: syntype workers, syntype males (numbers not stated).
- Type-locality: South Africa: Cape Prov., Hex River Mts, Matroosberg, 5500-7000 ft, i.1917 (R.W.E. Tucker).
- Type-depositories: BMNH, SAMC.
- [Misspelled as excelsius by Ettershank, 1966: 89.]
- Subspecies of tchelichofi: Ettershank, 1966: 89.
- Status as species: Bolton, 1987: 344 (redescription); Bolton, 1995b: 261.
- Senior synonym of speculiceps: Bolton, 1987: 344; Bolton, 1995b: 261.
- Distribution: South Africa.
- speculiceps. Monomorium (Xeromyrmex) speculiceps Santschi, 1928f: 191, fig. 3a (w.) SOUTH AFRICA.
- Type-material: 2 syntype workers.
- Type-localities: South Africa: Cape Prov., Hermanus (Lockee-Bayne).
- Type-depository: NHMB.
- Status as species: Ettershank, 1966: 92.
- Junior synonym of excelsior: Bolton, 1987: 344; Bolton, 1995b: 267.
Unless otherwise noted the text for the remainder of this section is reported from the publication that includes the original description.
Description
Worker
Bolton (1987) - TL 3.3-3.5, HL 0.84-0.92, HW 0.64-0.72, CI 76-80, SL 0.78-0.82, SI 114-122, PW 0.42-0.47, AL 0.96-1.06 (5 measured).
Anterior margin of median portion of clypeus transverse to extremely shallowly concave in full-face view, never notched medially. Eyes of moderate size, the maximum diameter 0.22-0.25 x HW and with 10 ommatidia in the longest row. Antennal scapes relatively long, SI > 110. Alitrunk appearing long and low in profile, the promesonotal dorsum forming an even shallow convexity from front to back and sloping posteriorly to the weakly impressed metanotal groove. Petiole node cuneate in profile, narrowly rounded above. Cephalic dorsum behind the frontal lobes with 3-4 pairs of hairs straddling the midline, the occipital margin with a further 2-3 pairs arranged in a roughly transverse row; the outermost of these hairs very close to the occipital corner. A single pair of relatively long standing hairs present at the pronotal humeri and another, shorter, pair situated anteriorly on the mesonotal dorsum. Petiole node with one pair of backward directed hairs, postpetiole with 3-4 pairs. First gastral tergite with standing hairs numerous and distributed more or less evenly over the sclerite. Head smooth and very glossy, sculptured only with faint vestiges of fine superficial reticular patterning. Pronotal dorsum with superficial reticular patterning or with feeble reticulation. Mesonotum as pronotum or the reticulation somewhat more distinct. Propodeal dorsum weakly shagreenate-punctulate. Sides of alitrunk reticulate to reticulate-shagreenate, the pronotum much more weakly sculptured than the remainder. First gastral tergite unsculptured or with faint superficial reticulate patterning basally. Colour glossy chestnut-brown.
Type Material
Bolton (1987) - Syntype workers, males, South Africa: Cape Prov., Matroosberg, Hex River Mts, 5500-7000 ft (= 1677-2134 m), i.1917 (R. W. Tucker) (The Natural History Museum) [examined].
References
- Arnold, G. 1926. A monograph of the Formicidae of South Africa. Appendix. Ann. S. Afr. Mus. 23: 191-295 (page 227, worker, male described)
- 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.. (page 344, Raised to species, and senior synonym of speculiceps)
References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics
- Arnold G. 1926. A monograph of the Formicidae of South Africa. Appendix. Annals of the South African Museum. 23: 191-295.
- 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.
- 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. 1928. Descriptions de nouvelles fourmis éthiopiennes (suite). Revue de Zoologie et de Botanique Africaines. 16: 191-213.