Monomorium broschorum 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 : 500

Monomorium broschorum Sparks , NEW SPECIES

( Fig. 4 d–f, 11a)

Holotype worker. Queensland: 125 km N Dajarra , -20.9542, 139.4188, 4 Jun 2009, K.S. Sparks, KSS60 (deposited in QM).

Paratypes. 9 workers, same data as holotype; 7 workers, Queensland, 110 km N Boulia, Bradley's Creek , - 22.0008, 139.5930, 4 Jun 2009, K.S. Sparks, KSS55 (deposited in QM, SAM).

Diagnosis. A small, glossy, reddish brown species with large eyes, a smooth mesonotum and a narrow petiole node. Can be difficult to separate from other small, dark species but can be distinguished by the anterodorsal margin of the clypeus which is concave with frontolateral carinae extending beyond the anteroventral margin of the clypeus.

Worker measurements (n=9). HW 0.78–0.84, HL 0.8–0.88, EL 0.18–0.21, PMH 0.31–0.37, PH 0.25–0.29, PNH 0.16–0.18, LHW 0.49–0.55, EW 0.11–0.13, PML 0.49–0.55, ML 0.84–0.92, PL 0.37–0.41, PNWdv 0.20–0.21.

Worker Description. Small species with a small, rectangular head; posterior cephalic margin shallowly depressed medially to broadly v shaped. Anterodorsal margin of the clypeus concave with frontolateral carinae forming ridges that extend beyond anteroventral clypeal margin forming obtuse anterolateral angles; anteroventral margin with a small median projection. Sculpture on frons limited to a few strigae only present on antennal lobes; coarse lateral cephalic strigae do not reach anterior eye margin, a few very fine strigae may reach eye margin. Eyes large, EW> 0.23 x LHW, 12 ommatidia in longest vertical axis, 10 in longest horizontal axis.

Mesonotum without sculpture. Mesopleuron and lateral surface of propodeum alveolate, strigae extending over metapleural bulla and reaching metanotal groove. Propodeum in lateral view with dorsolateral angles clearly forming an obtuse angle; dorsally with anterior transverse carina present, longitudinal strigae present as broken convergent lines; transverse strigae present in a majority of specimens. Petiole node narrow, less than 2 x eye width when viewed from above; shape in posterior view tapered from broadest point at midline to a narrowly rounded point dorsally; when viewed laterally anterior and posterior face converging to narrowly rounded point. Petiole node without sculpture, postpetiole with fine reticulate sculpture laterally and along posterior basal margin. T1 completely smooth and without sculpture.

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

Distribution. This species is known from only two localities in far western Queensland.

Etymology. The species is named in honour of members of the first author’s family who provided assistance with the field collection of many of the samples examined in this work.

COI sequences. Genbank accession numbers for this species are KC572935 and KC572936 .

Figures

FIGURE 4. Workers of the M. rothsteini (Forel) species complex in lateral, head and dorsal view of the mesosoma. Fig. 4 a – c: M. bogischi, (Port Wakefield, SA, KSS 241), d – f: M. broschorum holotype (Dajarra, QLD, KSS 60), g – i: M. capeyork, holotype (69 km N Archer River Roadhouse, QLD, TERC 4), j – l: M. eremoides, holotype (9 km E 80 mile Beach, WA, KSS 89), m – o: M. eremum, holotype (33 km N Barkley Homestead, NT, KSS 77). Scale bars are 0.5 mm for all views.