Monomorium oodnadatta 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 : 514-515

Monomorium oodnadatta Sparks , NEW SPECIES

( Fig. 6 m–o, 11e)

Holotype worker. South Australia, Oodnadatta Tk, 160km E Marla, -27.3039, 135.0443, 15 Jun 2009, K.S. Sparks, KSS114 (deposited in SAM).

Paratypes. South Australia, 20 workers, same data as holotype; 20 workers, Oodnadatta Tk, 110km E Marla, - 27.1644, 134.6194, 15 Jun 2009, K.S. Sparks, KSS112; 14 workers, KSS113 (deposited in SAM, WAM).

Diagnosis. A medium sized, glossy, dark brown species with a concave clypeus, a median projection on the anteroventral clypeal margin and a narrow petiole node.

Worker measurements (n=9). HW 0.82–0.92, HL 0.88–0.96, EL 0.18–0.19, PMH 0.31–0.39, PH 0.27–0.31, PNH 0.17–0.21, LHW 0.53–0.60, EW 0.11–0.13, PML 0.49–0.59, ML 0.84–0.98, PL 0.37–0.43, PNWdv 0.21–0.27.

Worker Description. Medium sized species with a medium sized, rectangular head; posterior cephalic margin broadly v shaped, head broader behind eyes than in front. Anterodorsal margin of the clypeus concave with frontolateral carinae extending beyond anteroventral margin, angles rounded; anteroventral margin with a small median projection. Sculpture on frons limited to a few strigae only on antennal lobes; coarse lateral cephalic strigae reach anterior eye margin. Eyes medium, EW 0.20–0.23 x LHW, 13 ommatidia in longest vertical axis, 9 in longest horizontal axis.

Mesonotum strigulate on posterior half of lateral curvature only, remainder smooth and shining; posterior mesonotum raised posteriorly forming a ridge just prior to metanotal groove. Mesopleuron alveolate with fine strigulae spaning area between metanotal groove and promesonotal suture on dorsal half. Propodeum in lateral view with dorsolateral angles clearly forming an obtuse angle, sculpture alveolate, laterally with strigae extending over metapleural gland bulla, one or two just reaching metanotal groove, strigulae also present on lateral face of posterodorsal corners; dorsal surface with anterodorsal transverse carina and transverse strigae present, longitudinal strigae present as irregular converging lines. Petiole node narrow, 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 with anterior and posterior faces converging to narrowly rounded apex. Petiole node and postpetiole finely reticulate laterally and basally but not extending more than half way to dorsal surface. T1 completely smooth and without sculpture.

Head and mesosoma dark brown with a reddish-orange tinge, petiole and postpetiole somewhat darker, legs and antennal scapes brown, metasoma dark brown.

Distribution. This species is known from two localities in the stoney plains region of northern South Australia. Its ranger overlaps with 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 KC572955 – KC572957 .

Figures

FIGURE 6. Workers of the M. rothsteini (Forel) species complex in lateral, head and dorsal view of the mesosoma. Fig. 6 a – c: M. leda, lectotype (Kimberley District, WA), d – f: M. maryannae holotype (Berry Springs, NT, ANA 09 – 15), g – i: M. merepah, paratype (Lakefield NP, QLD, TERC 1), j – l: M. mitchell, holotype (Mitchell Falls, WA, TERC 17), m – o: M. oodnadatta, holotype (160 km E Mala, SA, KSS 114). Scale bars are 0.5 mm for all views.