Genus of ants
Monomorium is a genus of ants in the subfamily Myrmicinae. As of 2013 it contains about 396 species. It is distributed around the world, with many species native to the Old World tropics. It is considered to be "one of the more important groups of ants," considering its widespread distribution, its diversity, and its variety of morphological and biological characteristics. It also includes several familiar pest species, such as the pharaoh ant ("M. pharaonis") and the flower ant ("M. floricola").
Description.
This genus is very diverse in morphology, with species of many shapes and sizes that "do not necessarily even remotely resemble one another" at first glance.
In certain species, the worker caste is monomorphic, whereas in others, it is polymorphic. In some species the workers are minute, in others they are rather large. Large, multifaceted eyes are common, but "M. inusuale" has much reduced eyes, as do some species from Africa. The sting is always functional.
Taxonomy.
By the early 20th century "Monomorium" was already a large genus, with 10 subgenera. It was further expanded in 2007, when the genera "Nothidris", "Epelysidris", and "Phacota" were synonymized with "Monomorium". The small genera "Anillomyrma", "Megalomyrmex", and perhaps "Bondroita" should possibly also be included in "Monomorium".
The exact boundaries of the genus are still to be determined: it has no distinct morphological traits that set it apart from other genera in the tribe Solenopsidini. If cladistics were strictly applied, all Solenopsidini would be grouped in the single genus "Solenopsis", but the tribe lacks a strong synapomorphy. As with the genera "Camponotus" and "Leptothorax," "Monomorium" as it currently stands is paraphyletic.
Subsequent studies using molecular techniques have suggested ways to break up the genus. A 2015 study resurrected the previously synonymised genus "Syllophopsis" (including "Ireneidris") from within "Monomorium". "Epelysidris" was also resurrected to contain the species "E. brocha." In 2019 the genus "Chelaner" was resurrected for 53 Australasian and Pacific species, including the common New Zealand species "Chelaner antipodum".
Biology.
Most ants of this genus nest in rotting wood, under rocks, or in the soil. Some species are scavengers, while others are seed collectors. Many species have venom containing alkaloids, which they use as a defense from predators. Besides its morphological variation, the genus is also variable in chromosome number, with 2"n" of 16 to 70 recorded.
Distribution.
As of 2006, 36 species are described from Madagascar, 19 of which were described in that year alone. About 43 species are known from Australia and 30 from Arabia.
Selected species.
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References.
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