Key to Gnamptogenys of Hispaniola

AntWiki: The Ants --- Online

Additional information about the ants of the island can be found here: Ants of Hispaniola

This page can be useful but remains a work in progress.


The table below lists the 7 Gnamptogenys species that occur on the island.

species distinguishing features Large or small? Mandible Shape Endemic? Haiti Only? DR Only?
Gnamptogenys falcaria Known from queen holotype Yes No Yes
Gnamptogenys haytiana yellowish color, exaggerated bend in 2nd gaster seg. Small Triangular Yes No No
Gnamptogenys insularis Yes No Yes
Gnamptogenys lineolata Dark brown, longitudinal costa fragmentary on gaster Small Triangular Yes No Yes
Gnamptogenys schmitti elongate mandibles without denticles Large Sickle Yes Yes No
Gnamptogenys semiferox reddish brown, intermediate triangular/sickle shape mandible Large Irregular Sickle Yes No Yes
Gnamptogenys striatula Black body covered with thick longitudinal costate Small Triangular No No Maybe


The key given below was created from a much larger key (Lattke 1995) and has not been well tested. There have not been many Gnamptogenys specimens collected on the island. All but one species is endemic and most are only known from one or two collections.

Almost half of the known species are not in the this key. Gnamptogenys falcaria (known only from a Holotype queen), Gnamptogenys insularis, and Gnamptogenys lineolata. There is likely enough information to add the two latter species using information from a 2020 New World Gnamptogenys key.


Key to Workers

1

  • Petiole in lateral view with subparallel anterior and posterior margins sharply set off at right angles to relatively brief dorsal margin (Fig. 21); vertex usually smooth and shining, occasionally with weak transverse striae; body color yellowish . . . . . . Gnamptogenys haytiana
Gnamptogenys haytiana casent0281838 h 1 high.jpg
Gnamptogenys haytiana casent0281838 p 1 high.jpg
Lattke 1995 F21.jpg
  • Petiole not as above, in lateral view with anterior margin either broadly curving into dorsal margin or separated by broad angle; vertex strongly sculptured . . . . . 2

2

return to couplet 1

  • Petiolar node in lateral view relatively erect, posterodorsal and anterodorsal angles not differing notably; Declivitous propodeal face with 5-11 longitudinal costulae between spiracles and 1-3 transverse costulae between each spiracle and longitudinal costulae; decumbent pubescence on scapes sparse, < six decumbent and suberect hairs . . . . . . Gnamptogenys striatula
Gnamptogenys striatula casent0173386 head 1.jpg
Gnamptogenys striatula casent0173386 profile 1.jpg
  • Petiole in lateral view posteriorly inclined, anterior margin joins dorsal margin through broad convexity that contrasts with sharp angle between posterior and dorsal margins . . . . . 3

3

return to couplet 2

  • Mandibles long and slender; dorsal propodeal face evenly and transversely costulate . . . . . . Gnamptogenys schmitti
Gnamptogenys schmitti casent0102010 h 1 high.jpg
Gnamptogenys schmitti casent0102010 p 1 high.jpg
  • Mandibles shorter and wider; dorsal propodeal face subvermiculately and longitudinally costulate . . . . . . Gnamptogenys semiferox
Gnamptogenys semiferox casent0900545 h 1 high.jpg
Gnamptogenys semiferox casent0900545 p 1 high.jpg

References

  • Lattke, J. E. 1995. Revision of the ant genus Gnamptogenys in the New World (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). J. Hym. Res. 4: 137-193. PDF