The Ants of Africa SUBFAMILY MYRMICINAE - Genus Monomorium key to species-groups and component species
Monomorium Introduction

Compiled largely from the groupings used by Bolton (1987). A few curious points are as follows:
As the final column shows a number of species appear in Bolton's key in what appear to be odd places relative to other members of a species-group or species complex, e.g. Monomorium emeryi in the destructor-group; hannonis in the setuliferum-complex; hirsutum in the bicolor-complex.
The australe-complex of small to minute species contains what appears to be a proliferation of species, primarily by raising early so-called varieties to full species status, but Bolton did not give a single illustration for any of the twelve members.

Note: Following the genus redefinitions in Ward et al. (2014: 10) the Syllophopsis from sub-Saharan Africa are arnoldi (revived from renaming as jonesi), cryptobia, elgonensis, malamixta, modesta, sersalata and thrascolepta.
Trichomyrmex from sub-Saharan Africa are - abyssinicus, plus "destructor-group" - destructor, emeryi, epinotale, mayri, oscaris and robustior.

Species-group (some ± = former sub-genus) subdivision into complexes	No of members	Species	Bolton (1987) key couplet
Mandibles with 5 teeth
latinode-group	1	In full-face view head ovoid/rectangular, eyes set well forward; TL 2.6-3.2 mm
.	.	latinode - tramp species - Tanzania - new genus definition pending (note in Ward et al 2014)	78
Mandibles with 3-4 teeth
Genus Trichomymrex part (scabriceps-group; Holcomyrmex, Bolton, 1987: 320)	1	Mandibles unsculptured; propodeal spiracle a short, near vertical, slit; polymorphic
.	.	Trichomyrmex abyssinicus - TL 2.6-6.7 mm, HL 0.68-2.04; polymorphic, although exhibiting monophasic allometry; granivorous with heavy mandibles; colour of larger workers reddish brown to darker on head and alitrunk, gaster darker again, smaller workers much lighter, still with gaster lighter - across whole of Sahel zone	59
Propodeal spiracle circular or nearly so
Propodeal dorsum either unsculptured or weak sculpture that is not transverse
Genus Trichomyrmex part (formerly Monomorium destructor-group (Parholcomyrmex)	6	Propodeal dorsum always sculptured (even if faintly), usually transversely striate or costulate; with distinct angle at junction of propodeal dorsum & declivity (the angle may be rounded to sharp)
.	.	Trichomyrmex emeryi - dorsal surfaces evenly and coarsely sculptured; TL 2.5-3.4 mm - southern Africa	09
.	.	More weakly sculptured	.
.	.	Trichomyrmex epinotale - head and gaster yellow, alitrunk contrasting brown; TL 2.2-2.3 mm - Zaïre - probable junior synonym of oscaris see below	62 & 85
.	.	Not contrastingly coloured	.
.	.	Trichomyrmex mayri - head and alitrunk brown and with range of sizes (TL ca 2 mm) - Sahel Zone	64 & 86
.	.	mayri	.
.	.	Trichomyrmex robustior - head and alitrunk brown but uniformly sized; TL 2.5-3.4 mm - trans-soudanosavannah from Somalia west to Senegal	64
.	.	robustior	.
.	.	Trichomyrmex destructor - head and alitrunk yellow; petiole subglobular in dorsal view; TL 1.8-3.5 mm - widespread tramp species Major	65 & 87
.	.	Minor	.
.	.	Trichomyrmex oscaris -  major head with distinct longitudinal rugae on genae; dorsum more weakly sculptured but strong transversely on propodeum; head and alitrunk yellow, petiole profile compressed and ovoid in dorsal view; monophasic allometry: TL 1.6-3.8 mm - pan-African savannah and open areas	09 & 65 & 87
.	.	oscaris major worker	.
.	.	oscaris minima worker	.
Propodeal dorsum smooth or with weak sculpture that is not transverse
Eyes with more than 2 ommatidia
Genus Syllophopsis (formerly Monomorium fossulatum-group)	7	Eyes minute (1-2 ommatidia only); mandibles smooth; propodeum mostly with small tubercles at junction of dorsum and declivity
.	.	Syllophopsis modesta - metanotal groove visible but only slightly impressed; TL 1.7-2.0 mm - east and southern Africa (plus an Ivory Coast population)	67
.	.	modesta	.
.	.	Metanotal groove a V- or U-shaped impression	.
.	.	Blackish or blackish brown	.
.	.	Syllophopsis malamixta - lower mesonotum sculptured, propodeum with narrow transverse ridge; TL 1.6-2.0 mm - West Africa	69
.	.	Syllophopsis cryptobia - lower mesonotum smooth; propodeum without a narrow transverse ridge but with distinct minute tubercles at the postero-lateral angles; TL 1.3-1.7 mm; colour usually dull yellow to light brownish yellow - West Africa & Congo Basin	69 & 71
.	.	cryptobia	.
.	.	Yellow	.
.	.	Syllophopsis sersalata - lower mesonotum sculptured; TL 2.2 mm - Rwanda	70
.	.	Lower mesonotum smooth	.
.	.	Syllophopsis elgonensis - antennal scapes relatively short, SI 91-95; TL 1.9-2.0 mm - Kenya	72
.	.		.
.	.	Scapes relatively long, SI 103-100	.
.	.	Syllophopsis arnoldi (jonesi) - head and scapes with only very short pubescence; TL 2.2-2.3 mm - South Africa	73
.	.		.
.	.	Syllophopsis thrascolepta - head and scapes with dense erect pubescence; TL 1.9-2.2 mm - Ivory Coast	73
.	.	thrascolepta	.
Genus Monomorium
Frontal lobes not very close and propodeum rounded
hanneli-group	5	Frontal lobes set close together; propodeum angular to bidentate in profile
.	.	guineense - both pedicel segments with narrow profile and postpetiole wider than petiole; TL 2.3 mm - Guinea to Cameroun	90
.	.	guineense	.
.	.	Postpetiole with lower domed node	.
.	.	Light to medium-brown	.
.	.	hanneli - eye with more than 10 ommatidia; TL 2.4-2.8 mm - East Africa (Angola?); includes former valtinum (eye with only 6-7 ommatidia; TL 1.8-1.9 mm - Kenya)	82
.	.	hanneli	.
.	.	Dark brown to near black	.
.	.	invidium - propodeum dorsum weakly sculptured; TL 1.8-2.0 mm - West Africa	81 & 90
.	.	invidium	.
.	.	jacksoni - propodeum dorsum transversely rugose, rest of alitrunk quite strongly sculptured; pronotum distinctly laterally marginate; TL 1.8-2.0 mm - Cameroun & Congo	80
Eyes oval or circular
setuliferum-group	8	Eyes set forward of mid-point of head and reniform or at least drawn to a point ventrally in profile
macrops-complex	1	With a narrow head; also mesonotum and propodeum without standing hairs	.
.	.	macrops - light to medium brown; TL 2.0-2.1 mm - South Africa	61
.	.		.
setuliferum-complex	5	Head and alitrunk sculptured, often densely	.
.	.	hannonis - with numerous erect hairs; densely sculptured, brown; TL 2.7-2.8 mm - Congo Basin	08
.	.	With no erect hairs on head or body	.
.	.	alamarum - weakly sculptured, dark brown;TL 2.0-2.4 mm - Namibia The drawing appears to be incorrect!	25
.	.	alamarum	25
.	.	Strongly sculptured	.
.	.	nyasae - small eyes, cinnamon yellow, with some darker areas; TL 2.5 mm - Malawi	21
.	.	notulum - large eyes but not strongly reniform, brown, usually with gaster darker; TL 2.0-2.4 mm - southern Africa may = the Bolton (1987) description of ebangaense	21
.	.	setuliferum - large eyes which are conspicuously reniform; variable yellow to quite dark yellow-brown; TL 2.5-2.7 mm - Botswana	20
.	.		.
havilandi-complex	2	Smooth and unsculptured, also with numerous erect hairs (members seem lumped together)	.
.	.	havilandi - mandibles with only three teeth, uniformly blackish-brown to black, gaster often shiny jet black, TL 2.8-3.1 mm - South Africa	61
.	.	havilandi	.
.	.	xanthognathum - mandibles falcate; glossy blackish-brown, mandibles conspicuously bright yellow; TL 2.5-2.7 mm - South Africa	88
.	.		.
Eye set around mid-point of side of head and not reniform or elongated
Propodeal dorsum unsculptured
salomonis-group (Xeromyrmex)	48	Propodeum with dense very fine granular or reticulo-punctate sculpturation; antennae with 12 segments; alitrunk dorsum without any standing hairs
Head weakly sculptured to near smooth
Head uniformly and densely sculptured
.	Uniform yellow-orange colour other than variable darker shade to apex of gaster -
.	Orange-red; gaster dark near black -
.	Head, alitrunk and gaster uniformly dull brown; in most petiole with relatively short stout pedicel -
pharaonis-complex	1	.
.	.	pharaonis - TL 2.2-2.4 mm; yellow-orange, apex of gaster dark; head, alitrunk and pedicel finely and densely reticulopunctate; erect hairs relatively long and moderately abundant on the head and gaster; antennae 12-segmented; sides of head convex in front view with a smooth curve to a slightly convex occipital margin - pan-global tramp	14
.	.	pharaonis	.
bicolor-complex	6	.
.	.	Pronotum dorsum with erect hairs	.
.	.	nitidiventre - pronotum dorsum with a pair of hairs at the anterior angles; TL 2.5-2.8 mm; head rather shorter and scapes not or barely reaching occiput; head with more numerous psammophore type hairs on underside; also head and alitrunk shiny; gaster also shiny with a bluish sheen - Sudan, Tanzania	NA
.	.	nitidiventre	.
.	.	hirsutum - pronotum dorsum with many erect hairs; also with small eyes; TL 3.2-3.4 mm; overall orange-yellow to orange-red, gaster blackish-brown to black - Eritrea	07
.	.	Without erect hairs on pronotum	.
.	.	niloticum - TL 3.0-3.3 mm; head larger in front than behind; eyes relatively large; head, alitrunk and petiole very finely shagreened, slightly shiny, gaster almost smooth and brilliant; colour of head, alitrunk, petiole and legs yellow-red; gaster black - Sudan, Egypt	NA
.	.	niloticum - much more distinctly shiny	.
.	.	niloticum niloticoides -overall finely sculptured giving a matt appearance	.
.	.	bicolor - TL at least 2.9 mm; base of gaster dorsum with sparse pilosity, usually only 1-3 pairs of hairs - very widespread north of the Equator	42
.	.	bicolor	.
.	.	ebangaense - TL 2.2 mm, red promesonotum lighter, gaster black; confused status - Angola	(key misleading)
.	.	Base of gaster dorsum with 6-8 or more pairs of hairs	.
.	.	rufulum - with well developed ammochaete hairs on underside of head; TL 3.0-3.6 mm; dull orange to reddish-brown on all but gaster, which is darker brown to blackish-brown often with a paler spot or streak antero-medially - southern Africa	13 & 40
.	.	rufulum
.	.	With no more than short hairs on underside of head	.
.	.	personatum - with relatively large eyes 0.31-0.33 X HW; TL 3.3-3.3 mm; head and alitrunk bright red but anterior of head, scapes and antennal club darkish brown - Angola	41
.	.		.
.	.	With smaller eyes, 0.23-0.27 X HW	.
.	.	westi - anterior margin of clypeus concave, with lateral projecting teeth; TL 3.0-3.2 mm; all except gaster orange to dull orange, the gaster strongly contrasting blackish-brown to black - Kenya	43
.	.		.
.	.	dictator - anterior margin of clypeus only weakly concave and without projecting lateral teeth; TL 2.9 mm; generally red to orange-red except wholly blackish-brown to black gaster - Angola & Gambia	43
opacum-complex	6	.
.	.	Pronotum dorsum with erect hairs	.
.	.	albopilosum - pronotum dorsum and propodeum dorsum with erect hairs, TL 3.4-4.4 mm; uniform light to dark brown - southern Africa	07
.	.	albopilosum	.
.	.	junodi - propodeum dorsum without erect hairs; TL 2.8-3.6 mm; uniform medium to dark brown - south-eastern Africa	14
.	.	Pronotum dorsum without erect hairs	.
.	.	afrum - first tergite of gaster without erect hairs; TL 3.6-4.3 mm; head in profile with a distinct posteroventral occipital angle; uniform medium to dark brown - sub-Saharan Africa except far south	22
.	.	afrum	.
.	.	First tergite of gaster with erect hairs	.
.	.	micropacum - first tergite of gaster with about 10 pairs of hairs; smaller TL 2.4 mm; dull light brown - South Africa	38
.	.	First tergite of gaster with only 1-2 pairs of hairs anterior to apical row; larger	.
.	.	opacum - propodeum profile almost horizontal with smooth transition into declivity; TL 3.3-3.5 mm; yellowish to pale medium brown - eastern Africa	39
.	.	subdentatum - propodeum profile sloping posteriorly, with angled transition into declivity; TL 3.1-3.3 mm; yellowish to pale medium brown - Zaïre	39
Head weakly sculptured to near smooth
Petiole with a short peduncle
.	Distinctive large eyes and near square heads; head with sculpturation of fine reticulation overlayed by fine striations - areniphilum-complex -
.	Reduced sculpturation, so generally quite shiny - salomonis-complex -
.	Head much less strongly or distinctly sculptured; in most petiole with moderate pedicel subtended by a blunt process; generally brownish, with lighter appendages - subopacum-complex -
Petiole with a relatively long peduncle
.	Sculpturation even more reduced, with head and alitrunk similar - tchelichofi-complex -
.	Much reduced sculpturation, large eyes and long to very long scapes; elongated overall shape - viator-complex -
.	With reduced sculpturation and reduced pilosity (a catch-all collection) - mediocre-complex -
.	Small to minute species, with fine sculpturation giving silky appearance [Curiously there are no illustrations in the literature - despite the proliferation of species by Bolton, 1987] - australe-complex -
areniphilum-complex	2	Distinctive large eyes and near square heads; head with sculpturation of fine reticulation overlayed by fine striations
.	.	areniphilum - distinctive large eyes, HW = HL; head with sculpturation of fine reticulation overlayed by fine striations; TL 3.1-4.3 mm; variable brown - Sahel zone	23 & 51
.	.	areniphilum	.
.	.	pullulum new status - TL 3.7-4.0 mm; head about 1/6 longer than wide, with convex sides and straight occipitum; black with a little brownish; mandibles, funiculi, anterior of pronotum, base of petiole, genae and tarsi reddish-brown; densely reticulate, granular and matt - Sahel zone	not in key
.	.	pullulum	.
salomonis-complex	2	Reduced sculpturation, so generally quite shiny
.	.	salomonis - TL 2.5-3.5 mm; moderately shiny; variably coloured brown with gaster darker - widespread tramp	not in key
.	.	salomonis	.
.	.	hercules - TL 3.1-3.6 mm; dark red brown, with redder mandibles - Sudan -seems likely to be a junior synonym of salomonis	not in key
subopacum-complex	8	Head much less strongly or distinctly sculptured; in most petiole with longer pedicel subtended by a blunt process; generally brownish, with lighter appendages
.	.	delagoense - pronotum dorsum with erect hairs; TL 3.1-3.9 mm; uniform dark brown - Mozambique & South Africa	15
.	.		15
.	.	Pronotum dorsum without erect hairs	.
.	.	Dorsum of head with no more than faint patterning, polished and shiny drapenum - dorsum of head with erect hairs; TL 2.4-2.6 mm; head and gaster dark brown, remainder lighter - Namibia	32
.	.		.
.	.	Dorsum of head without erect hairs	.
.	.	ophthalmicum - with relatively large eyes and short scapes; mesonotum dips to metanotal suture but that is not impressed; TL 2.3 mm; medium brown, legs and antennae dull yellow - Ethiopia	31
.	.	kitectum - alitrunk with smooth near flat profile; TL 2.2-2.3 mm; brown wth gaster darker - Namibia	32
.	.		.
.	.	willowmorense - alitrunk with impressed metanotal suture, TL 2.5-3.0 mm; medium brown, gaster usually darker - South Africa	32
.	.		.
.	.	Dorsum of head with distinct sculpturation, at least enough to give dull appearance	.
.	.	ocellatum - first gastral tergite with numerous evenly distributed erect hairs; TL 3.1-3.7 mm - South Africa	48
.	.	First gastral tergite with sparse erect hairs	.
.	.	herero - anterior clypeal margin straight; dorsum of head with 3-4 pairs of erect hairs; TL 2.8-3.1 mm - Namibia	53
.	.	subopacum - anterior clypeal margin indented; TL ca 2.4 mm - widespread semi-desert species in northern Africa, introduced to South Africa Note Bolton (1987) had TL 3.1-3.4; Mayr (1861: 72) for mediterraneum had TL 2.8-3.0 ; yellowish brown-red; gaster darker than head and alitrunk	53
tchelichofi-complex	5	Sculpturation even more reduced, with head and alitrunk similar
.	.	Promesonotum with erect hairs	.
.	.	excelsior - glossy dark brown, TL 3.3-3.5 mm - South Africa	11
.	.		.
.	.	ilgii - uniform yellow, TL 2.7-3.1 mm - Ethiopia	11
.	.	Promesonotum without erect hairs	.
.	.	orangiae - promesonotum sculpture almost effaced, propodeum with distinct lateral margination; petiole node smooth; TL 3.7-4.0 mm; uniform dark glossy brown - South Africa	34
.	.	orangiae	.
.	.	Promesonotum with fine but distinct sculpture, also on petiole node	.
.	.	fridae - TL 3.1-3.2 mm; HW 0.67-0.68; SI 101-103; glossy chestnut brown - South Africa	35
.	.	tchelichofi - TL 3.8-4.0 mm; HW 0.74-0.82; SI 95-100; dark brown, gaster darker - South Africa	35
viator-complex	4	Much reduced sculpturation, large eyes and long to very long scapes; elongated overall shape
.	.	Without erect hairs on the alitrunk	.
.	.	mantazenum - relatively small eyes; TL 2.7-3.0 mm; black to blackish-brown, mandibles yellow - Namibia	46
.	.	viator - with extremely large eyes, 0.37-0.40 X HW, TL 3.0-3.7 mm; alitrunk yellowish orange to reddish brown, head and gaster usually darker, appendages dull yellow - Namibia	28
.	.		.
.	.	With erect hairs on the alitrunk	.
.	.	marshi - TL 2.7-3.2 mm; alitrunk light to dull orange, gaster dark brown to black - Namibia	16
.	.		.
.	.	vatranum - TL 2.7-3.0 mm; usually very dark brown - Namibia	16
.	.		.
mediocre-complex	6	With reduced sculpturation and reduced pilosity (a catch-all collection) - all small species
.	.	Eyes set at the mid-point of the head	.
.	.	nirvanum - petiole node with a single pair of erect hairs projecting posteriorly; TL 2.1 mm; SI 95-100; light yellowish-brown - Namibia	26
.	.	mediocre - petiole node without erect hairs; TL 1.9-2.0 mm, SI 90-93; yellow - Zimbabwe & South Africa	27
.	.		.
.	.	Eyes set at least slightly forward of mid-point of the head	.
.	.	Dorsum of head finely sculptured	.
.	.	osiridis - TL 1.7-1.9 mm; with fine shagreening on dorsum of head; uniform dull yellow - Kenya & Gambia	76
.	.	osiridis
.	.	esharre - with relatively narrow head; TL 1.9-2.0 mm; head and gaster blackish-brown, alitrunk lighter brown - Namibia	27
.	.	Dorsum of head almost smooth	.
.	.	rabirium - very faintly sculptured but pronotal dorsum reticulate to shagreened; TL 1.7 mm, SI 92.97; yellow - Namibia	25 & 77
.	.	zulu - very similar but pronotal dorsum unsculptured; TL 1.7-1.9 mm; SI 85-88 - South Africa	77
australe-complex	12	Small to minute species, with fine sculpturation giving silky appearance [Curiously there are no illustrations in the literature - despite the proliferation of species by Bolton, 1987; the placement of senegalense seems likely to be wrong]
.	.	senegalense - status dubious - TL 3.5-3.8 mm (Roger, 1862c) - Senegal	o
A	.	With numerous erect hairs on first gastral tergite in addition to apical row	.
.	.	Alitrunk and gaster similarly coloured not contrasting	.
.	.	carbo - uniformly brown; TL 2.3-2.4 mm, SI 102-107 - Ethiopia	47
.	.	minor - uniformly yellow; TL 2.6-2.9 mm, SI 108-116 - southwest Africa	47
.	.	Alitrunk and gaster obviously contrasting	.
.	.	dakarense - eye with 7-8 ommatidia in longest row; TL 2.2-2.3 mm; head and alitrunk orange-yellow, gaster blackish-brown - Senegal & Gambia	49
.	.	parvinode - eye with 10 ommatidia in longest row; TL 2.2 mm; head and alitrunk medium yellowish-brown - north-east Africa	49
B	.	With no more than 1-3 pairs of erect hairs on first gastral tergite	.
.	.	sutu - eye with more than 10 ommatidia in the longest row; TL 2.7-3.0 mm; head yellowish-brown, promesonotum slightly darker but remainder much darker, gaster very dark brown - Kenya	52
.	.	Eye with 7-9 ommatidia in the longest row	.
.	.	disertum - with relatively short scapes, TL 2.0-2.2 mm SL 0.40-0.43; SI 89-93; pale brownish yellow, gaster may be darker - Zimbabwe	54
.	.	Scapes with SL 0.47-0.57, SI 100-110	.
.	.	Head strongly sculptured, shagreened, dull & opaque	.
.	.	damarense - dorsum of head without erect hairs; TL 2.2-2.8 mm; eyes 0.27-0.31 X HW; light to medium brown - southern Africa	23 & 56
.	.	opacior - dorsum of head with 2 pairs of erect hairs behind level of frontal lobes; TL 2.2-2.4 mm, eyes 0.24-0.26 X HW; dull light brown, gaster much darker - Namibia & Botswana	56
.	.	Head very weakly sculptured, near smooth and weakly shining	.
.	.	termitarium - TL 2.5-2.6 mm; entirely yellow - Botswana	57
.	.	Head & alitrunk medium brown, gaster dark brown	.
.	.	anceps - pronotal dorsum finely shagreened, with rough appearance but mesonotum contrasting reticulo-punctate; TL 2.5-2.6 mm, HW 0.47, SL 0.47 - South Africa	58
.	.	australe - pronotal dorsum finely reticulate and mesonotum more strongly so but not contrasting; TL 2.5-2.6 mm, HW 0.50-0.52 SL 0.50-0.54 - South Africa	58
Propodeal dorsum unsculptured
monomorium-group (Monomorium)	69	Antennae with 11-12 segments; alitrunk dorsum with standing hairs, at least on pronotal humeri
.	Antennae 12-segmented
.	Antennae 11-segmented
.	Scapes reaching or surpassing the occiput, SI 95-102 (otherwise grouped with species with 12-segmented antennae)
.	.	strangulatum - TL 1.8-2.0 mm; all over dark brown, except for contrasting yellow appendages - West Africa & Congo Basin (in strangulatum-complex, Bolton, 1987)	146
.	.	strangulatum	.
.	.	clavicorne - antennae 11-segmented; TL 1.4 mm; head an elongated rectangle; eyes set forward of midline of head; yellow or pale testaceous - Extra-limital, plus Sudan and Senegal	not in key
.	Scapes not reaching occiput SI usually < 95
.	Large relatively high postpetiole, convex propodeum - bequaerti-complex -
.	Eyes reduced with a ring of ommatidia enclosing a single longitudinal row of 2-4 ommatidia; propodeal profile in most a shallow smooth curve - boerorum-complex; Lampyromyrmex sub-complex -
bequaerti-complex	3	Large postpetiole which is almost as voluminous as petiole; propodeum convex
.	.	rosae - blackish-brown to jet black; TL 1.6-2.0 mm - West Africa	150
.	.	rosae	.
.	.	bequaerti - light glossy brown; in dorsal view both petiole and postpetiole longer than wide; TL 1.9 mm - Zaïre	151
.	.	bequaerti	.
.	.	pulchrum - head and alitrunk glossy dull yellow to pale brown, gaster darker; in dorsal view both petiole and postpetiole shorter than wide; TL 1.7-1.9 mm - Zimbabwe	151
.	.		.
boerorum-complex - sub-complex A (Lampyromyrmex)	7	Convenience lumping of other species with 11-segmented antennae; eyes reduced with a ring of ommatidia enclosing a single longitudinal row of 2-4 ommatidia; propodeal profile in most a shallow smooth curve
.	.	guillarmodi - alitrunk dorsum without erect hairs; TL 1.6-1.7 mm; glossy light medium brown - Lesotho	145
.	.	Alitrunk dorsum with erect hairs	.
.	.	spectrum - distinctively coloured with white legs contrasting with glossy dark brown body; TL 1.2-1.3 mm - Gabon	147
.	.	Pronotum dorsum anteriorly with a single pair of long erect hairs	.
.	.	taedium - larger, TL 1.6-1.7 mm, dark brown - South Africa	153
.	.	mictilis - TL 1.2-1.3 mm; dull yellow - eastern & southern Africa - note Bolton (1987: 320) separated this as having the head with a noticeably depressed profile (both upper and lower surfaces) - the head of the type specimen (Antweb photo) is not depressed! Fresh specimens have the posterior half of the gaster dark contrasting with the otherwise quite bright yellow of the head and body	154
.	.	mictilis
	.	fastidium - TL 1.4 mm; uniform dull pale yellow - South Africa - possible junior synonym of mictilis	154
.	.	Pronotum dorsum with two pairs of long erect hairs anteriorly	.
.	.	exiguum - anterior half of pronotum dorsum lacking a clump of 4 or more erect hairs; petiole short with a short anterior ventral process; TL 1.5-1.7 mm; variable clear yellow to dark brown (possibly a mixture of similar species) - Pan-African forests	155
.	.	exiguum type form	.
.	.	exiguum minutissimum form	.
.	.	exiguum faurei form	.
.	.	vaguum - anterior half of pronotum with a clump of 4 or more erect hairs; TL 1.3-1.4 mm CI 76-82; eye near circular, EI 20-23; dull yellow to medium brown (possibly a mixture of similar species) - widely distributed	155
.	.	vaguum	.
.	.	atomum - promesonotum profile more convex; erect hairs appear finer; TL 1.2-1.3 mm CI 76; eye longitudinally ovoid, EI 17; yellow to reddish yellow; entirely smooth and very shiny - Egypt across South Asia	extralimital
.	Antennae 12-segmented
.	Petiole node in profile a high narrow cone
.	Petiole node in profile a low cone
.	Clypeal carinae sharp and close together, eyes round or near round; scapes relatively long SI 95-110 - schultzei-complex -
.	Like schultzei-complex but eyes more elongate and scapes relatively short, failing to reach the occiput (just reach in binatu) - rhopalocerum-complex -
.	Sharp but well-separated clypeal carinae, without anterior teeth; scapes surpass occiput - strangulatum-complex -
.	Eyes smaller and set well forward; petiole subconical - leopoldinum-complex [Note - leopoldinum itself is a junior synonym of madecassum according to Hetterick (2002) -
	Petiole node in profile a high narrow cone
.	Large size, small eyes, short scapes & very dense pilosity - iyenasu-complex (single species) -
.	Distinctive high petiole node; scapes not reaching occipitum; clypeus with sharp carinae set close together and projecting at the anterior clypeal margin - altinode-complex -
.	Large eyes at least 0.30 X HW and set well forward; petiole subconical in profile - katir-complex -
.	Petiole node high, narrow or cuneate in profile, petiole with pronounced antero-ventral process - malatu-complex -
.	Residual "convenience" lumping of 15 species - boerorum-complex -
.	.	monomorium - with thick erect hairs all over; TL 1.5-1.7 mm; piceous, very shiny, smooth - extra-limital and included for comparison	not in key
.	.	monomorium	.
altinode-complex	9	Distinctive high petiole node; scapes not reaching occipitum
.	.	mirandum - strikingly bicoloured, clear yellow except for alitrunk, petiole and postpetiole which are black or blackish-brown; TL 1.8-1.9 mm - Kenya	99
.	.	Various colours but not strikingly bicoloured	.
.	.	Propodeal spiracle a conspicuous circle	.
.	.	occidentale - anterior clypeal margin with a carinae extended to form a pair of elongate teeth; TL 1.8-2.1 mm; dark brown, gaster often darker - West Africa	114
.	.	captator - anterior clypeal margin with carinae forming no more than denticles; TL 1.8-1.9 mm; glossy dull yellow, head slightly darker than alitrunk - Congo Basin	117
.	.	Propodeum spiracle a small to minute circular opening	.
.	.	vonatu - both petiole and postpetiole with a sharp margin around sides and dorsum; TL 2.0 mm; glossy black - Ghana & Gambia	119
.	.	Petiole and postpetiole not sharp edged	.
.	.	angustinode - propodeum with spiracle almost at top of sides (each visible from above as at the apex of a tubercle); prodeum dorsum and declivity with the transition a smoothly curve; TL 1.9-2.0 mm; light brownish yellow, head and gaster slightly darker than alitrunk - Zaïre	129
.	.	angustinode	.
.	.	Propodeum with spiracles set lower and not on tubercles; transition from dorsum to declivity a rounded angle	.
.	.	fugelanum - with large eyes, 0.26-0.28 x HW, and a minute propodeal spiracle; yellow; TL 1.8 mm - Botswana	130
.	.		.
.	.	Eyes smaller, maximum 0.24 X HW, and propodeal spiracle small but a distinct circle	.
	.	arnoldi - with relatively long scapes, SI 95-98, and small eyes, 0.20-0.22 X HW; petiole narrowly crested; glossy yellow to light brownish-yellow; TL 2.0-2.1 mm - Zimbabwe	131
.	.		.
.	.	Scapes relatively short, SI 87-95, and eyes 0.22-0.24 X HW	.
.	.	altinode - promesonotum with 5 pairs of erect hairs; TL 1.7 mm; yellow - Congo Basin	132
.	.	altinode	.
.	.	tynsorum - promesonotum with 7-8 pairs of erect hairs; TL 2.1-2.3 mm; yellow - Angola & Gabon	132
.	.	tynsorum	.
katir-complex	4	Large eyes at least 0.30 X HW set well forward; petiole subconical in profile
.	.	Uniform dark brown to blackish	.
.	.	balathir - anterior alitrunk with 8-10 erect hairs; longest hairs on first gastral tergite longer than maximum diameter of the eye; TL 2.3 mm; glossy dark brown appendages yellow - Burkina Faso & Senegal Senegal workers smaller than type description.	122
.	.	manir - anterior alitrunk with 3-4 pairs of erect hairs; longest hairs on first gastral tergite shorter than maximum diameter of the eye; TL 1.8 mm; glossy dark brown appendages lighter - Kenya & Sudan	122
.	.	Uniform yellow to light brownish yellow	.
.	.	holothir - alitrunk with more than 3 pairs of erect hairs; TL 1.8-1.9 mm - Kenya	123
.	.	katir - alitrunk with one pair of erect hairs on each segment; TL 1.7-1.9 mm - Namibia	123
.	.		.
leopoldinum-complex	6	Eyes smaller and set well forward; petiole subconical
.	.	Propodeal spiracle a conspicuously large circle	..
.	.	lene - head and body yellow; dorsal alitrunk with numerous erect hairs; TL 1.8-2.1 mm - Tanzania, Botswana, Zimbabwe	117
.	.		.
.	.	borlei - head and body brown; dorsal alitrunk with only 4 pairs of erect hairs, 3 pairs being on the promesonotum; TL 1.9-2.4 mm - Congo & Angola	118
.	.	borlei	.
.	.	madecassum [j.syn. leopoldinum] - head and body brown; whole of head and body with many erect hairs; TL 1.9-2.4 mm - Sudan, Kenya, Zaïre; Madagascar	118
.	.	madecassum	.
.	.	Propodeal spiracle a small pinhole	.
.	.	Anterior clypeal margin concave with projecting lateral denticles	.
.	.	rastractum - promesonotal dorsum with 6-7 pairs of erect hairs; eye diameter max 0.27 X HW; TL 1.9 mm; yellow - Kenya	128
.	.	springvalense - promesonotal dorsum with 3-4 pairs of erect hairs; eye diameter max 0.21-0.23 X HW; TL 2.0-2.1 mm; alitrunk yellow, head and gaster brownish - Zimbabwe	128
.	.	Anterior clypeal margin near straight without projecting denticles	.
.	.	pallidipes - TL 1.5 mm; promesonotum with 5 pairs of erect hairs; uniform brown (Bolton) plus paler appendages (Forel) - Eritrea & Tanzania	142
.	.	pallidipes	.
schultzei-complex	10	Clypeal carinae sharp and close together, eyes round or near round
.	.	Scapes reaching or slightly surpassing occiput	.
.	.	fasciatum - TL 1.8 mm; clear reddish yellow, gaster ochraceous with a transverse dark band - Kenya & Tanzania -status confirmed	o not in key
.	.	fasciatum	.
.	.	speluncarum - scapes slightly surpass occipitum, SI 106-107; TL 1.6-1.7 mm; uniform pale yellow - Kenya & Tanzania	103
.	.	speluncarum
.	.	Scapes not reaching occiput	.
.	.	In profile alitrunk with a very narrow metanotal suture that has only inconspicuous cross ribbing; propodeal spiracle minute	.
.	.	bevisi - promesonotum with 8 + pairs of erect hairs; dingy light brown; TL 2.4-2.6 mm - Lesotho	107
.	.	excensurae - promesonotum with 4-6 pairs of erect hairs; yellow; eyes smallish 0.20-0.23 X HW; SI 104-110; TL 1.9-2.2 mm - South Africa	108
.	.		.
.	.	schultzei - promesonotum with 4-6 pairs of erect hairs; yellow; eyes larger 0.24-0.27 X HW and scapes shorter SI 97-102; TL 2.0-2.2 mm - southern Africa	108
.	.	In profile alitrunk with a broad metanotal suture that has conspicuous cross ribbing; propodeal spiracle large and conspicuous	.
.	.	kineti - propodeum with a flat to slightly concave dorsum with weakly flanged edges; TL 2.2-2.4 mm; dull yellow to brownish-yellow (dark brown, Weber) - South Sudan	109
.	.		.
.	.	Propodeum dorsum transversely convex or if flat without flanged borders	.
.	.	Promesonotal dorsum with 4-6 pairs of erect hairs	.
.	.	arboreum - metanotal suture shallowly impressed and only moderately broad; propodeum profile with flat area; TL 2.1-2.3 mm; dull yellow, occiput and posterior gaster darker - South Sudan & Kenya (no type photographs available)	111
.	.	crawleyi - metanotal suture unusually wide and prodeum dorsum uniformly convex; TL 2.3-2.4 mm; yellow with occiput and posterior gaster darker - Ethiopia and Congo	111
.	.	crawleyi	.
.	.	Promesonotal dorsum with 8 or more pairs of erect hairs	.
.	.	firmum - petiole with a conspicous anterior ventral lobe; sides of head with all hairs decumbent to appressed; TL 2.6-2.8 mm; yellow - Zimbabwe	112
.	.		112
.	.	vecte - petiole with anterior ventral process a low ridge; sides of head with hairs semi-erect; TL 2.0-2.4 mm; yellow with a darker band apically on first gastral tergite - Zimbabwe & Rwanda	112
.	.		.
rhopalocerum-complex	5	Like schultzei-complex but eyes more elongate and scapes relatively short
.	.	termitobium binatu - scapes just surpassing the occiput, SI 100-105; TL 1.9-2.0 mm; yellow, gaster slightly darker - Zimbabwe	101
.	.	Scapes not reaching the occiput	.
.	.	pacis - nomen dubum - TL1.9 mm; dull pale yellow, gaster with brown bands (close to rhopalocerum) - South Africa	--
.	.	rhopalocerum - with relatively small eyes, maximum diameter 0.18-0.20 X HW; TL 2.0-2.2 mm; dull yellow, gaster may be brownish - South Africa	137
.	.		.
.	.	Eyes larger 0.20-0.25 X HW	.
.	.	tablense - petiole with high narrow node; TL 2.1-2.2 mm; brownish-yellow to light brown - South Africa	138
.	.		.
.	.	termitobium exchao - petiole node a lower dome but still relatively narrow apically; promesonotal dorsum with 4 + pairs of erect hairs; TL 1.9-2.0 mm; uniform yellow - South Africa	140
.	.		.
.	.	symmotu - petiole with a low rounded node; promesonotal dorsum with 3 pairs of erect hairs; TL 1.8-1.9 mm; yellow - Zimbabwe	140
.	.	.
strangulatum-complex	5	Sharp but well-separated clypeal carinae, without anterior teeth; scapes surpass occiput; petiole with long narrow pedicel (note M. strangulatum has 11-segmented antennae)
.	.	egens - head with weakly concave occiput; promesonotum with flat dorsum and angled margins; TL 2.0-2.5 mm; brown to blackish brown - West Africa & Congo Basin	98
.	.	egens	.
.	.	Promesonotum convex and without angled margins	.
.	.	gabrielense - West Africa & Congo Basin - pale yellow with a brownish gaster; TL 1.5-1.6 mm	103
.	.	gabrielense	.
.	.	draxocum - head with convex occipitum, in profile both dorsum and ventral head convex; mesopleuron with distinct reticulo-puncturation; dark brown with very pale legs; TL1.7-1.9 mm; - Cameroun to Angola Note: Bolton (1987) felt that draxocum and noxitum might well be synonymous.	105
.	.	noxitum - legs contrast with brown body but are yellowish, gaster blackish; TL 2.0-2.1 mm - Cameroun	105
malatu-complex	5	Petiole node high, narrow or cuneate in profile, petiole with pronounced antero-ventral process - that is according to Bolton. However, the visual evidence is of a postero-ventral bulge below the petiole node.
.	.	dolatu - unique to complex as having 11-segmented antennae; TL 1.4-1.5 mm; yellow, posterior of head darker and transverse dark band on first gastral tergite - West Africa - note the image is representative of specimens from Cameroun all of which have 12-segmented antennae	148
.	.	12-segmented antennae	.
.	.	Dorsum of propodeum sculptured; dark brown to blackish brown	.
.	.	affabile - smaller, TL 1.5 mm; with a narrower head and proportionally longer scapes SI 88; clypeal carinae sharper - Zaïre	84
.	.	malatu - larger, TL 1.9-2.1 mm; with a wider head and relatively shorter scapes, SI 80-85; propodeum reticulo-punctate - Congo Basin into Uganda forests	84
.	.	malatu	.
.	.	Dorsum of propodeum unsculptured; all over smooth and shiny	.
.	.	disoriente - maximum diameter of eye 0.24 X HW, SI 92; TL 1.8 mm; glossy pale brown, gaster slightly darker - Tanzania	125
.	.		.5
.	.	tanysum - maximum diameter of eye 0.17-0.18 X HW, SI 86-88; TL 1.5-1.6 mm; brown with gaster darker almost blackish brown - Ghana	125
iyenasu-complex	1	Large size, small eyes, short scapes & very dense pilosity
.	.	iyenasu - TL ca 3.5 mm; yellowish-brown, occiput and apical gaster darker - Tanzania	97
boerorum-complex	15	Convenience lumping of remaining species with 12-segmented antennae
sub-complex B	6	Antennae 12-segmented; eyes reduced with a ring of ommatidia enclosing a single longitudinal row of 2-4 ommatidia; propodeal profile may be quite domed
.	.	sryetum - promesonotal dorsum with only one pair of erect hairs; propodeum without erect hairs; TL 1.5 mm; vary pale yellow, gaster whitish yellow - Botswana	92
.	.	Promesonotal dorsum with more than one pair of erect hairs; propodeum with at least one pair of erect hairs	.
.	.	Dorsum of head medium to blackish brown	.
.	.	floricola - bicoloured, head dark brown, alitrunk lighter, usually yellow; anterior margin of clypeus with prominent median section; TL 1.7-2.0 mm - pantropical tramp	94
.		floricola	.
.	.	inquietum - head and alitrunk the same shade of brown; anterior margin of clypeus evenly convex; TL 1.7-1.8 mm - Zaïre	94
.	.	Dorsum of head pale yellow to dingy yellow	.
.	.	shilohense - first gastral tergite evenly yellow; eye max diameter 0.23-0.24 X HW; TL 1.5-1.6 mm - Zimbabwe	95
.	.	First gastral tergite with basal half yellow, apex brown	.
.	.	trake - small species, TL 1.6 mm; with relatively short scapes SI 73 - Ghana	96
.	.	rotundatum - larger species, TL 1.7-2.0 mm; with relatively longer scapes SI 79-83 - Kenya, South Africa	96
.	.	rotundatum	.
sub-complex C	9	Antennae 12-segmented; eye with two or more median longitudinal rows; propodeal profile essentially domed; petiole quite short and in most with a narrow, blade-like subpetiolar process
.	.	kelapre - propodeal spiracle with a large conspicuous circular opening; TL 1.9 mm; glossy light brown - South Africa	115
.	.	Propodeal spiracle with a minute circular opening	.
.	.	lubricum - anterior ventral process of petiole a large keel-like translucent lamina; TL 2.3-2.5 mm; glossy dark brown- South Africa	133
.	.	Subpetiolar process much less prominent	.
.	.	Relatively large species, TL at least 1.8 mm	.
.	.	boerorum - clypeus with vestigial or no carinae, anterior margin evenly and broadly convex, TL 1.9-2.0 mm; eyes 0.19-0.21 X HW; glossy dark brown - South Africa	135
.	.		.
.	.	paternum - clypeus with well developed carinae and projecting centre to anterior margin; TL 2.3 mm; eyes 0.18 X HW; glossy medium to dark brown - South Africa	137
.	.		.
.	.	nuptialis - clypeus with well developed carinae and projecting centre to anterior margin; TL 1.8 mm; eyes 0.22 X HW; glossy light brown to yellowish brown - Zimbabwe	139
.	.	Small species TL < 1.7 mm	.
.	.	braunsi - promesonotum with a single pair of erect hairs at humeral angles; petiole node very low and rounded; TL 1.6 mm; uniformly yellow - South Africa	141
.	.	Promesonotum with 3-5 pairs of erect hairs; petiole node subconical	.
.	.	mavide - minute with small eyes; TL 1.4-1.5 mm, eyes 0.19 x HW; head and gaster brown, alitrunk light brownish-yellow - South Africa	143
.	.	torvicte - uniformly dark brown, TL 1.5-1.6 mm; SI 76-80, eye 0.20-0.21 X HW - South Africa	144
.	.	musicum - uniformly yellow, TL 1.6-1.7 mm; SI 81-84, eye 0.22-0.24 X HW - South Africa	144

MYRMICINAE Introduction

© 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015 - Brian Taylor CBiol FSB FRES 11, Grazingfield, Wilford, Nottingham, NG11 7FN, U.K.

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