Formica species groups

A beginning on organizing some resources related to the many groupings of Formica species.......

cinerea

One of three species groups within the subgenus Serviformica showing reddish pigmentation on mesosoma, varying in size from small patches to complete surface coverage. F. cinerea is Eurocaucasian and characterised by large setae numbers on posterior vertex and underside of head, large eyes and narrow petioles. (Seifert and Schultz 2009)

Formica cinerea group - definition of group, member species, etc.

Key to Formica cinerea group

dakotensis

Recognized by a square petiole, rather than broader and fan-shaped in other Formica.

Formica dakotensis
Formica reflexa

difficilis

(Formerly microgyna group) Erect setae of pronotum widen from base to a flattened apex broader than the shaft of the seta; major workers small, outstretched length from clypeal margin to acidopore rarely exceeding 6 mm, their head capsule in full face view usually longer than broad. Formica difficilis group has miniaturized queens.

exsecta

Coptoformica diagnosis/discussion/list of species
Key to Formica subgenus Coptoformica workers of Europe
Key to Formica subgenus Coptoformica queens of Europe

fusca

Distinguished by one or two offset teeth at the base of the mandibles.

Key to Nearctic Formica fusca group workers

Key to Nearctic Formica fusca group queens

Key to Nearctic Formica fusca group males

integra

neogagates

neorufibarbis

pallidefulva

Trager et al (2007) - The Formica pallidefulva species group is endemic to eastern and central United States, with two species extending west into the Great Plains and lower elevations in the Rocky Mountains and north into eastern Canada.

Formica pallidefulva group diagnosis/discussion/list of species
Key to US Formica pallidefulva group species

rufa

Key to Nearctic species in the Formica rufa group

Erect setae of pronotum taperin or if blunt-tipped, not broader apically nor spatulate; major workers larger, outstretched length exceeding 6 mm, often up to 8-9mm; head capsule of largest workers in full face view most often broader than long.

rufibarbis

One of three species groups within the subgenus Serviformica showing reddish pigmentation on mesosoma, varying in size from small patches to complete surface coverage. F. rufibarbis European to East Asian and characterised by the reduction of setae on posterior vertex and underside of head, smaller eyes and wider petioles. (Seifert and Schultz 2009)

Formica rufibarbis group diagnosis/list of species
Key to Formica rufibarbis group

sanguinea

subpilosa

One of three species groups within the subgenus Serviformica showing reddish pigmentation on mesosoma, varying in size from small patches to complete surface coverage. F. subpilosa is West to Central Asian and charaterised by intermediate setae numbers on posterior vertex and underside of head, smaller eyes and wider petioles. (Seifert and Schultz 2009)

uralensis

Formica uralensis

References

Romiguier, J., J. Rolland, C. Morandin, and L. Keller. 2018. Phylogenomics of palearctic Formica species suggests a single origin of temporary parasitism and gives insights to the evolutionary pathway toward slave-making behaviour. BMC Evolutionary Biology. 18:8. doi:10.1186/s12862-018-1159-4
Seifert, B 2000a. A taxonomic revision of the ant subgenus Coptoformica Mueller, 1923 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zoosystema. 22:517-568.
Seifert, B. and R. Schultz. 2009b. A taxonomic revision of the Formica rufibarbis Fabricius, 1793 group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Myrmecologische Nachrichten. 12:255-272.
Trager, J.C., MacGown, J.A., Trager, M.D. 2007. Revision of the Nearctic endemic Formica pallidefulva group (pp. 610-636). In Snelling, R.R., Fisher, B.L. & Ward, P.S. (eds). Advances in ant systematics: homage to E.O. Wilson – 50 years of contributions. Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute 80: 690 pp.