Monomorium rothsteini Forel 1902

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 : 517-518

Monomorium rothsteini Forel 1902

( Fig. 7 d–f, 11f)

Monomorium rothsteini Forel 1902:444 –445 .

Syntypes, 3 workers, Queensland, Charters Towers , Wiederhehr ( ANIC). One worker (top point) here designated as the lectotype. The other 2 specimens are here designated paralectotypes.

Monomorium (Paraholcomyrmex) rothsteini st. doddi Santchi 1919:328 . Syntypes, 5 workers, Queensland, Townsville, F.P. Dodd ( NMBA).

Chelaner rothsteini (Forel) ; Ettershank, 1966: 97.

Chelaner rothsteini doddi (Santschi) ; Ettershank, 1966: 97.

Monomorium rothsteini Forel ; Bolton, 1987: 300–301.

Monomorium rothsteini doddi Santschi ; Bolton, 1987: 300–301; subspecies synonymy by Heterick, 2001: 408.

Diagnosis. Small amber species with a concave clypeal margin. The dorsal surface of the propodeum lack longitudinal strigae and the longitudinal depression is very shallow or absent giving the propodeum and rounded appearance.

Worker measurements (n=9). HW 0.70–0.96, HL 0.74–0.96, EL 0.16–0.18, PMH 0.29–0.37, PH 0.25–0.33, PNH 0.18–0.23, LHW 0.45–0.59, EW 0.10–0.12, PML 0.47–0.64, ML 0.80–1.05, PL 0.37–0.43, PNWdv 0.20–0.27.

Worker Description. Small species with a medium sized, rectangular head which narrows from immediately behind eyes to vertex; posterior cephalic margin shallowly depressed medially. Anterodorsal margin of the clypeus concave with frontolateral carinae forming rounded ridges that extend just beyond anteroventral clypeal margin, anterolateral angles are bluntly rounded; anteroventral margin without a small median projection, margin appears straight. Sculpture on frons variable: strigate, extending well above antennal lobes or restricted to antennal lobes and area in between or rarely limited to a few strigae only present on antennal lobes; coarse lateral cephalic strigae not reaching eye margin or rarely with one or two strigae reaching eye margin. Eyes medium, EW 0.20–0.23 x LHW, 10 ommatidia in longest vertical axis, 8 in longest horizontal axis.

Mesonotum with coarse strigae extending from metanotal groove onto posterior region only, rugulose between strigae, remainder smooth and shining; posterior mesonotum generally flat and contiguous with surrounding surface of mesonotum or rarely raised with a faint horseshoe shaped margin. Mesopleuron alveolate with strigulae spanning area between metanotal groove and promesonotal suture on dorsal half. Propodeum in lateral view with dorsolateral angles clearly forming an obtuse angle; laterally alveolate with 3–4 strigae over the metapleural gland bulla; dorsally with anterodorsal transverse carina present, a few weak transverse strigae present on some specimens, longitudinal carinae absent, longitudinal depression very shallow or absent, propodeum appears flat or slightly rounded dorsally; posterolateral corners rounded above metapleural lobes and dorsolateral angles rounded. Petiole node of medium breadth: between 2 and 2.5 x eye width when viewed from above; shape in posterior view oval, in lateral view anterior and posterior faces converging, apex narrowly 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 or may appear to be without sculpture, smooth and shining, postpetiole faintly reticulate on posterior surface.T1 completely smooth and without sculpture.

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

Distribution. This species is known from the coastal and inland regions of central and northern Queensland.

COI sequences. Genbank accession numbers for this species are KC572911 –KCC572920 and KC572923 .

Additional material examined (QM, SAM, TERC, WAM). Queensland. Alice River, -19.3371, 146.6344, 7 Feb 2010, E. Schlüns, ES38; Wambiana Station, Charters Towers region, -20.0945, 146.2441, Oct 2011, B. Hoffmann, ANA11–58; Wambiana Station, Charters Towers region, -20.0945, 146.2441, Oct 2011, B. Hoffmann, ANA11–51; ANA11–52; ANA11–53; ANA11–55; ANA11–56; ANA11–57; ANA11–58; ANA11–59; Townsville Field Training Area/Tabletop 35, -19.45 146.4, Feb 1999, A. Ash; Wambiana grazing trials nr Charters Towers, - 20.0945 146.2441, Sep 1998, B. Hoffmann; Townsville, -19.45 146.4, 3 Sep 1986, A. Andersen; Saraji Mine, Bowen Basin, poplar block, -22 148, 24 Apr 1994, A.N. Andersen; Reeves Lake, Lakeview Stn nr Charters Towers, -19.9 145.83, Aug 1997, B. Hoffmann.

Figures

FIGURE 7. Workers of the M. rothsteini (Forel) species complex in lateral, head and dorsal view of the mesosoma. Fig. 7 a – c: M. pilbara, holotype (4 km S Newman, WA, KSS 188), d – f: M. rothsteini, (Alice River, QLD, ES 38), g – i: M. speculum paratype (Niagara Dam, WA, KSS 218), j – l: M. stagnum, holotype (Mitchell Falls, WA, TERC 11), m – o: M. subapterum, (160 km E Mala, SA, KSS 116). Scale bars are 0.5 mm for all views.