Contents Contents The Ants of Egypt
SUBFAMILY MYRMICINAE - Genus Monomorium
Monomorium pullulum (Santschi)

areniphilum-complex

Monomorium pullulum Santschi - new status

return to key {link to the Hymenoptera Name Server} Type location Senegal (Monomorium (Xeromyrmex) Salomonis L var pullula n. var., Santschi, 1919b: 235, worker; also Monomorium (Xeromyrmex) salomonis L. stirps pullulum, Santschi, 1934b: 33) collected by Claveau worker only described (see Bolton, 1987, 1995).

Separated by us from Monomorium areniphilum.


{Monomorium pullulum}Santschi's (1919b) description is at {original description}. Santschi's (1934b) further note on pullula and description of lepineyi is at {original description}. Bolton's modern description, under areniphilum (1987: 336) is at {original description}.

Clearly a north African Sahel savannah species, as it ranges from Senegal to Egypt (Santschi, 1936a noted it as from French Sudan, i.e. the Sahel countries).

Egypt records [possibly M. areniphilum] - Santschi (1938a: 39) Wadi Hof, 3.iv.1914, var fezzanense - worker specimens tending towards var zanoni; fezznanense was keyed out by Santschi (1936a) as TL 3 mm, head and gaster shiny and black.

Bolton (1987: 336) has Siwa, collector J. Omer-Cooper. Sharaf list - notes examined "Monomorium lepineyi" - Abu-Madi, Zaranik (North Sinai), 6.v.2003 (5) (SHC) - this seems to be the specimen BT considers as possibly bodenheimeri.


Monomorium pullulumThe photomontage is of the holotype worker collated from http://www.antweb.org/specimen.do?name=casent0913555


Sudan specimens - Worker description:
Very weakly dimorphic, the larger morph with a relatively massive head; mandibles smooth; clypeus narrowing sharply posteriorly and leading to narrow area between the antennal carinae; pronotum highly domed with a steep anterior face; propodeum without a longitudinal impression; petiole node moderately high and with a broad apex in profile; head finely spiculate with distinct minute hair pits
Major - TL ca 3.8 mm, HL 1.02, HW 0.82, CI 80-82, SL 0.83, SI 100, PW 0.69; eye length 0.28-0.30 X HW. Note the exact colour match with the type


Oxford University Museum specimens

Monomorium pullulum
B Taylor det.
Egypt
M Sharaf


7.xi.2001
Fayium
29°19' N
30°48' E
Wadi Rayian

1
{album}
Monomorium pullulum
B Taylor det.
Egypt
M Sharaf

6.iii.2003
Zaranik
30°39' N
34°26' E
Abumadi
1

Monomorium pullulum
B Taylor det.
Egypt
M Sharaf
4.v.2003
Zaranik
30°39' N
34°26' E
Abumadi
2


{Monomorium pullulumMajor Worker
The photomontage is of a major worker from Sudan, Blue Nile, Khordonia, Damazine Plantation; collector Justin Mathews (JM 283).



{Monomorium pullulumMinor Worker
The photomontage is of a minor worker from Sudan, Kordofan, El Ain near El Obeid; collector Justin Mathews (JM 072)


{Monomorium pullulumThe photomontage is of a worker from Egypt, Wadi Rayian, Fayium; collector Mostafa Sharaf

©2006, 2008, 2015 - Brian Taylor CBiol FRSB FRES
11, Grazingfield, Wilford, Nottingham, NG11 7FN, U.K.

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