Monomorium katir
Monomorium katir | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Hymenoptera |
Family: | Formicidae |
Subfamily: | Myrmicinae |
Tribe: | Solenopsidini |
Genus: | Monomorium |
Species: | M. katir |
Binomial name | |
Monomorium katir Bolton, 1987 |
This species has been found in Bushveld, grassland, and shrubland.
Identification
Bolton (1987) - A member of the M. katir complex in the M. monomorium species group. The relatively very large eyes of this small species and its reduced dorsal pilosity render it easily recognizable. For discussion of related species see under Monomorium balathir.
Keys including this Species
Distribution
Latitudinal Distribution Pattern
Latitudinal Range: -23.1° to -29.2486°.
North Temperate |
North Subtropical |
Tropical | South Subtropical |
South Temperate |
- Source: AntMaps
Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Namibia (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. |
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. |
Biology
Castes
Nomenclature
The following information is derived from Barry Bolton's Online Catalogue of the Ants of the World.
- katir. Monomorium katir Bolton, 1987: 395, figs. 72, 74 (w.) NAMIBIA.
- Type-material: holotype worker, 17 paratype workers.
- Type-locality: holotype Namibia: Namib Desert, 23°06’S, 15°18’E, 1984, pitfall sample P3 (A.C. Marsh); paratypes: 11 workers with same data, 6 workers with same data but 15°24’E, sample P4.
- Type-depositories: BMNH (holotype); BMNH, MCZC, MHNG (paratypes).
- Status as species: Bolton, 1995b: 263.
- Distribution: Namibia.
Unless otherwise noted the text for the remainder of this section is reported from the publication that includes the original description.
Description
Worker
Holotype. TL 1.9, HL 0.50, HW 0.38, CI 76, SL 0.34, S1 89, PW 0.25, AL 0.50.
Clypeal carinae well developed, distinctly divergent anteriorly and terminating in a pair of weakly salient but acute angles on the anterior margin , these prominent angles separating the shallowly concave anterior margin of the median projecting portion of the clypeus from its sides. Eyes relatively very large, their maximum diameter 0.37 x HW and with 7-8 ommatidia in the longest row. In profile the maximum diameter of the eye is almost two times greater than the distance separating the anteriormost point of the eye from the nearest point of the mandibular articulation. In full-face view the eyes in front of the midlength of the sides, their posterior margins approximately at the midlength. Antennal scapes, when laid straight back from their insertions, failing to reach the occipital margin. Sides of head in full-face view widest at the eyes, shallowly convex and weakly convergent posteriorly. Occipital margin almost transverse, with only the faintest hint of concavity. Head in profile somewhat dorsoventrally flattened, the ventral surface less convex than the dorsal. Promesonotum shallowly convex in profile, sloping posteriorly to the narrow and shallowly impressed metanotal groove. Metanotal cross-ribs short and inconspicuous, the propodeal spiracle small. Petiole node high and narrow in profile, narrowly rounded above. Anterior peduncle of petiole short and stout, the ventral process conspicuous. Postpetiole node smaller lower and more broadly rounded than the petiole. Dorsal surfaces of body only sparsely hairy, the promesonotum with only 3 pairs of standing hairs, but all dorsal surfaces with standing hairs present. Sculpture absent except for minute scattered hair-pits, weak metanotal cross-ribs and some vestigial traces on the mesopleuron. Colour glossy light brownish yellow, the head and gaster slightly darker in shade than the alitrunk.
Paratypes. TL 1.7-1.9, HL 0.48-0.51, HW 0.35-0.38, CI 72-76, SL 0.32-0.34, SI 89-94, PW 0.23-0.25, AL 0.44-0.50 (12 measured). As holotype but maximum diameter of eye 0.35-0.38 x HW. Some workers have only two pairs of promesonotal standing hairs, the posteriormost pair being absent, and the subpetiolar process may be smaller and less conspicuous than is indicated in Fig. 74.
Type Material
Holotype worker, Namibia: Namib desert, 15° 18' E, 23° 06' S, pitfall sample P3, 1984 (A. C. Marsh) (The Natural History Museum). Paratypes. 11 workers with same data as holotype; 6 workers with same data but 15° 24' E, 23° 06' S, sample P4 (BMNH; Musee d'Histoire Naturelle Genève; Museum of Comparative Zoology).
References
- 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 395, figs. 72, 74 worker described)
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.