Monomorium / Chelaner (genus group)

The genera Monomorium and Chelaner are very closely related. At some times in the past, all ants in these two genera have been placed within the genus Momomorium, but at other times they have been viewed as distinct genera. Recent molecular work (Sparks et al, 2019) has shown the two genera to be distinct, but shows that there is overlap in the morphology of the genera which makes morphological diagnosis of workers uncertain. While most Monomorium species have eleven segments in the antennae (including scape) and most Chelaner have 12 segments, this is not consistent for all species.

The genus group Monomorium / Chelaner has been created within Canberra NatureMapr to enable identification of ants in these two genera which could otherwise only be identified to subfamily. Note, however, that there is one distinctive and relatively large Chelaner species listed in Canberra NatureMapr which may be identified to species level from photographs, Chelaner kiliani.

Reference: Sparks, K. S., Andersen, A. N., & Austin, A. D. (2019). A multi-gene phylogeny of Australian Monomorium Mayr (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) results in reinterpretation of the genus and resurrection of Chelaner Emery. Invertebrate Systematics, 33(1), 225–236.