Monomorium kidman Sparks

Sparks, Kathryn S., Andersen, Alan N. & Austin, Andrew D., 2014, Systematics of the Monomorium rothsteini Forel species complex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), a problematic ant group in Australia, Zootaxa 3893 (4), pp. 489-529 : 509-510

Monomorium kidman Sparks , NEW SPECIES

( Fig. 5 m–o, 11d)

Holotype worker. Northern Territory, VRD, Top Springs , -16.5433, 131.7978, 12 Jul 2008, A.N. Andersen, TERC71 (deposited in NTM).

Paratypes. Northern Territory. 10 workers, same data as holotype; 20 workers, Pigeon Hole Station, Victoria River District , -16.3345, 131.1087, May 2007, A. Fisher, ANA09–18; 2 workers, Conkerberry paddock, Kidman Springs , -16.1167, 130.9667, May 2011, A. Andersen, ANA11–22; 1 workers, ANA11–23 (deposited in MHNG, NMBA, NTM, SAM).

Diagnosis. A small, amber orange species with large eyes, a concave clypeus and smooth T1. The mesonotum is without sculpture except on the posterior mesonotum and the dorsal surface of the propodeum lacks both transverse and longitudinal strigae.

Worker measurements (n=9). HW 0.70–0.78, HL 0.76–0.82, EL 0.15–0.17, PMH 0.27–0.33, PH 0.25–0.29, PNH 0.18–0.2, LHW 0.43–0.47, EW 0.10–0.12, PML 0.47–0.53, ML 0.82–0.88, PL 0.37–0.39, PNWdv 0.21–0.22.

Worker Description. Small species with a small, rectangular head; posterior cephalic margin broadly V shaped. Anterodorsal margin of the clypeus concave with angular frontolateral carinae extending beyond anteroventral clypeal margin forming obtuse angles, frontolateral carinae with a wavy margin; anteroventral margin appears straight or rarely with a small median projection. Frons strigate, strigae restricted to antennal lobes and area in between or limited to a few strigae only on antennal lobes; coarse lateral cephalic strigae not reaching eye margin, a few very fine strigae may reach eye margin. Eyes large, EW> 0.23 x LHW, 12 ommatidia in longest vertical axis, 9 in longest horizontal axis.

Mesonotum with coarse strigae extending from metanotal groove onto posterior region only, rugulose between strigae; posterior mesonotum flat and contiguous with surrounding surface of mesonotum. Mesopleuron alveolate, a few strigae on dorsal half. Propodeum in lateral view with dorsolateral angles clearly forming an obtuse angle; laterally alveolate with strigae over the metapleural gland bulla and extending half way to metapleural groove; dorsal surface with anterodorsal transverse carina present, transverse and longitudinal strigae absent. Petiole node of medium breadth, between 2 and 2.5 x eye width when viewed from above; shape in posterior view tapering from widest point to narrowly rounded apex; in lateral view anterior and posterior faces converging, apex rounded from higher anterior face to lower posterior face. Posterior surface of petiole node finely reticulate laterally and basally but not extending more than half way to dorsal surface; postpetiole faintly reticulate along posterior basal margin. T1 completely smooth and without sculpture.

Head, mesosoma and legs amber orange to orange brown, petiole and postpetiole dorsally infuscated, metasomal tergites dark brown.

Distribution. This species is known only from the Victoria River District of the Northern Territory. Its range overlaps with M. hoffmanni sp. nov., M. geminum sp. nov. / M. topend sp. nov., and M. subapterum .

Etymology. The specific name is a noun in apposition taken from the type locality.

COI sequences. Genbank accession numbers for this species are KC572869 , KC572870 , KC572898 , KC572899 and KC573024 .

Additional material examined ( SAM). Northern Territory. Pigeon Hole Station, Victoria River District, - 16.3345, 131.1087, May 2007, A. Fisher, ANA09-17.

Figures

FIGURE 5. Workers of the M. rothsteini (Forel) species complex in lateral, head and dorsal view of the mesosoma. Fig. 5 a – c: M. geminum, paratype (Litchfield NP, NT, ANA 10 – 22), d – f: M. hertogi, holotype (Lakefield NP, QLD, TERC 2), g – i: M. hoffmani, holotype (Mt Stanford Station, NT, TERC 70), j – l: M. humilior, (Alice Springs, NT, ANA 11 – 13), m – o: M. kidman, holotype (Top Springs, NT, TERC 71). Scale bars are 0.5 mm for all views.