Key to Psalidomyrmex Species

AntWiki: The Ants --- Online

This key follows Bolton & Brown (2002)[1], and is valid as no new species has been described.

1

  • Masticatory margin of mandible concave posterior to the elongate apical tooth and with a number of short or blunted small teeth at least near the basal angle: overall appearance of mandible falcate …..2
  • Masticatory margin of mandible straight posterior to the elongate apical tooth and edentate throughout its length: overall appearance of mandible not falcate …..4

2

return to couplet #1

  • Dorsum of first gastral tergite with small punctures, the diameters of which are less than the distances separating them. Sculpture on anterior half of first gastral tergite strongly contrasting to that on anterior half of second tergite; the former smooth between the small punctures. the latter longitudinally costulate-striate with scattered larger punctures. Petiole node in dorsal view longer than broad. Large black species. HW > 2.50 .....Psalidomyrmex reichenspergeri
Psalidomyrmex reichenspergeri casent0102913 profile 1.jpg
  •  Dorsum of first gastral tergite with coarse foveolate punctures, the diameters of which are equal to or greater than the distances separating them. Sculpture on anterior half of first gastral tergite basically the same as that on anterior half of second tergite; either both smooth between foveolate punctures, or both longitudinally costulate-striate between foveolate punctures. Petiole node in dorsal view as broad as or broader than long. Smaller red-brown species. HW <2.50…..3

3

return to couplet #2

  • Spaces between foveolate punctures on pronotal dorsum and first gastral tergite densely striate. Anterodorsal margin of mesotibia in its apical half with a row of short but strong spine-like traction setae among the normal pilosity, the same as the traction setae present at the mesotibial apex. Scape relatively short. SI < 75 .....Psalidomyrmex foveolatus
Psalidomyrmex foveolatus casent0101471 profile 1.jpg
  • Spaces between foveolate punctures on pronotal dorsum and first gastral tergite unsculptured, mostly smooth and shining. Anterodorsal margin of mesotibia without spine-like traction setae among the normal pilosity, traction setae present at the mesotibial apex. Scape relatively long. SI > 80 .....Psalidomyrmex sallyae
Psalidomyrmex sallyae casent0102912 profile 1.jpg

4

return to couplet #1

  • Scape relatively longer and head narrower: SI 90-102, Cl 84-89. Petiole node longer that broad in dorsal view .....Psalidomyrmex wheeleri
Psalidomyrmex wheeleri casent0102915 profile 1.jpg
  • Scape relatively shorter and head broader. SI 79-88, CI 91-96. Petiole node broader than long in dorsal view …..5

5

  • Frontal lobes smooth and shining over the antennal insertions. Median portion of clypeus not longitudinally striate .....Psalidomyrmex feae
Psalidomyrmex feae casent0102135 profile 1.jpg
  • Frontal lobes uniformly striate over the antennal insertions. Median portion or clypeus longitudinally striate .....Psalidomyrmex procerus
Psalidomyrmex procerus casent0003082 profile 1.jpg

References

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