Monomorium venustum (Smith, 1858)

Sharaf, Mostafa R., Collingwood, Cedric A., Al Dhafer, Hathal M., Al mutairi, Mohammed S. & Aldawood, Abdulrahman S., 2015, New synonyms of two Arabian ants of the genus Monomorium Mayr, 1855 (Hymenoptera, Formicidae), ZooKeys 505, pp. 51-58 : 54

Taxon classification Animalia Hymenoptera Formicidae

Monomorium venustum (Smith, 1858) Figs 9-12

Myrmica venusta Smith, 1858: 126 (w.) (lectotype worker) Syria. Palaearctic. (BMNH “E” 1015257) [new designation].

Material examined.

Saudi Arabia, Al Atawla (Baha-Taif RD), Wadi Bawah, 8.xi.2012, 21.004°, 41.247°, 1310m, (M. R. Sharaf, leg.) (10); Saudi Arabia, Baha, Wadi Elzaraeb, 9.v.2011, 20.073°, 41.387°, 2086m, (M. R. Sharaf, leg.) (3); Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, Dirad, 30.xii.2009, 24.409°, 46.662°, 588m, (M. R. Sharaf, leg.) (6); Saudi Arabia, Al Bahah, Wadi Turabah, AlMandaq, 19.ix.2011, 20.242°, 41.262°, 1751m, (M. R. Sharaf, leg.) (6); Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, Alhota, 19.iv.2008, (M. R. Sharaf, leg.) (7); Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, Wadi Hanifa, 11.iv.2013, 24.671°, 46.595°, 641 (M. R. Sharaf, leg.) (14); Saudi Arabia, Al Bahah, Wadi Turabah, AlMandaq, 10.v.2011, 20.211°, 41.288°, 1751m, (M. R. Sharaf, leg.) (4).

Remarks.

Originally, Monomorium venustum was described based on syntypes of the worker caste from Syria. Here we designate a lectotype with the following data, " Myrmica venusta Smith, type, BMNH (E), 1015257". The Lectotype is deposited at BMNH.

Habitat.

Workers of Monomorium venustum build nests directly into the ground under stones and rocks, directly into the ground. This species apparently prefers to nest in soil with high moisture content as observed in many locations in KSA. In the southwestern mountains of the KSA, nests were constructed next to Juniperus procera Hochst. ex Endlicher ( Cupressaceae ) and Acacia spp. ( Mimosaceae ) trees. In addition, the species is usually foraging in areas with dense green flowering grasses that covering the ground. A single nest was found existing next to Mentha longifolia (L.) Huds. ( Lamiaceae ). Myrmecophilous arthropods (e.g. small beetles, isopods and millipedes) were found inside some nests.