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Syllophopsis sersalata
| Syllophopsis sersalata | |
|---|---|
| |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Formicidae |
| Subfamily: | Myrmicinae |
| Tribe: | Solenopsidini |
| Genus: | Syllophopsis |
| Species: | S. sersalata |
| Binomial name | |
| Syllophopsis sersalata (Bolton, 1987)
| |
Know from just a few collections, with some noted as being taken from leaf litter in forest habitat.
Identification
Bolton (1987) - Known only from Rwanda, this montane species possesses a distinctly sculptured lower mesopleuron, a feature encountered in the African species of this group only here and in the west African Syllophopsis malamixta. The latter species, however, averages smaller than sersalatum and is much darker in colour.
Keys including this Species
- Key to Afrotropical Erromyrma, Monomorium, Syllophopsis and Trichomyrmex species
- Key to Afrotropical Syllophopsis
- Key to Afrotropical Syllophopsis hildebrandti group species
Distribution
Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Rwanda (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.
- sersalata. Monomorium sersalatum Bolton, 1987: 424 (w.q.) RWANDA.
- Type-material: holotype worker, 24 paratype workers, 1 paratype queen.
- Type-locality: holotype Rwanda: Kamiranzovu, 1900 m., i.1976 (P. Werner); paratypes: 5 workers with same data, 6 workers Rwanda: Kayove, 2100 m., 25.v.1973 (P. Werner); 3 workers, 1 queen Rwanda: Rangiro, 1800 m., 10.vii.1973 (P. Werner); 3 workers, 1 queen Rwanda: Rangiro, 1800 m., 10.vii.1973 (P. Werner); 10 workers Rwanda: Rangiro, ix.1976 (P. Werner).
- Type-depositories: MHNG (holotype); BMNH, MCZC, MHNG (paratypes).
- Combination in Syllophopsis: Ward, et al. 2015: 73.
- Status as species: Bolton, 1995b: 267; Sharaf & Aldawood, 2013a: 82 (in key).
- Distribution: Rwanda.
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 2.2, HL 0.52, HW 0.42, CI 81, SL 0.42, SI 100, PW 0.31, AL 0.62.
Eyes of a single ommatidium, maximum diameter 0.07 x HW. Antennal scapes of moderate length, SI 100 in holotype (SI 94-100 in paratypes). Promesonotum in profile with dorsal outline evenly convex, the metanotal groove a sharply defined V-shaped impression. Propodeum immediately behind the metanotal groove rising to an acute peak then sloping quite steeply posteriorly to a pair of weakly projecting denticuliform angles which separate dorsum from declivity. All dorsal surfaces of head and body with numerous short standing hairs except for the propodeum where only two pairs are present. With the head in full-face view the scapes and sides of the head behind the eyes with erect to sub erect pubescence. Femora and tibiae with conspicuously elevated pubescence. Dorsal surfaces of head, alitrunk and gaster unsculptured except for scattered minute hair-pits. Sides of pronotum smooth. Lower half of mesopleuron finely but conspicuously punctulate-shagreenate, the upper half of the mesopleuron retaining vestiges of similar sculpture. Impression between mesopleuron and metapleuron/propodeum finely cross-ribbed. Sides of propodeum unsculptured but metapleuron finely longitudinally striate. Colour uniform yellow.
Paratypes. TL 2.0-2.2, HL 0.47-0.52, HW 0.38-0.44, CI 80-85, SL 0.36-0.42, SI 94-100, PW 0.26-0.31, AL 0.50-0.62 (13 measured). As holotype.
Type Material
Holotype worker, Rwanda: Kamiranzovu, 1900 m, i . 1976 (P. Werner) (Musee d'Histoire Naturelle Genève). Paratypes. 5 workers with same data as holotype ; 6 workers, Kayove , 2100 m, 25.v.1973 (P. Werner); 3 workers and 1 female, Rangiro, 1800 m, 10.vii.1973 (P. Werner); 10 workers, Rangiro, ix.1976 (P. Werner) (MHNG; The Natural History Museum; 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 424, worker, queen described)
- Nsengimana, V., Hagenimana, T., Barakagwira, J., de Dieu Nsenganeza, J., Iradukunda, S. C., Majyambere, M., Kizungu, O. B., Nkundimana, A., Umutoni, D., Fabrice, R., Cyubahiro, B., Kouakou, L. M., Kolo, Y., Anale, J. S., Gómez, K., Dekoninck, W. 2023. Checklist of ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) species from Nyungwe Tropical Rain Forest, south-western Rwanda. Journal of East African Natural History 111(2), 69-81 (doi:10.2982/028.111.0203).
- Ward, P.S., Brady, S.G., Fisher, B.L., Schultz, T.R. 2015. The evolution of myrmicine ants: phylogeny and biogeography of a hyperdiverse ant clade (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Systematic Entomology 40: 61–81 (doi:10.1111/syen.12090).
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.