Key to Aenictus species groups

The following key to Aenictus species groups has been modified from Jaitrong & Yamane (2011).

You might also be interested in

• Aenictus species groups (diagnoses)
• The Aenictus genus page.

1

• Antenna with 8 or 9 segments => A. silvestrii group
• Antenna with 10 segments => 2

2

• Anterior clypeal margin with denticles => 3
• Anterior clypeal margin lacking denticles => 5

3

• Typhlatta spot present; body black, dark brown to reddish brown => A. laeviceps group
• Typhlatta spot absent; body yellow to yellowish brown => 4

4

• Mandible subtriangular; masticatory margin with 3 teeth including large apical tooth => A. javanus group
• Mandible triangular; masticatory margin with 9–12 teeth including large apical tooth => A. wroughtonii group

5

• Anterior clypeal margin concave or almost straight; mandible linear; with mandibles closed a gap present between mandibles and anterior clypeal margin => A. ceylonicus group
• Anterior clypeal margin convex; mandible triangular to subtriangular; with mandibles closed a gap absent between mandibles and anterior clypeal margin => 6

6

• Typhlatta spot present; head entirely smooth and shiny => 7
• Typhlatta spot absent; head sculptured or smooth and shiny => 9

7

• Head in full-face view with occipital corner convex, with a distinct protuberance on occipital corner, which gives the head a unique “horned” appearance => A. currax group
• Head in full-face view with occipital corner rounded, without lateral protuberance => 8

8

• Subpetiolar process well developed, subtriangular with its apex directed downward; worker caste completely monomorphic; propodeum normal => A. leptotyphlatta group treatment : one species in group Aenictus leptotyphlatta
• Subpetiolar process weakly developed or almost absent; worker caste polymorphic; propodeum inflated in major and intermediate workers => A. inflatus group treatment : one species in group Aenictus inflatus

9

• Parafrontal ridge essentially absent; head entirely smooth and shiny => A. minutulus group
• Parafrontal ridge well developed; head entirely sculptured or rarely smooth => 10

10

• First gastral segment micropunctate; subpetiolar process well developed, with posteroventral corner produced posteriad => A. hottai group
• First gastral segment clearly smooth and shiny or weakly shagreened with smooth and shiny interspaces; subpetiolar process weakly developed or almost absent => 11

11

• Mesonotum demarcated from mesopleuron by a conspicuous ridge; metanotal groove relatively deep and distinct => A. philippinensis group
• Mesonotum not visibly demarcated from mesopleuron; metanotal groove indistinct => A. pachycerus group

References

• Jaitrong, W. & Hashimoto, Y. 2012. Revision of the Aenictus minutulus species group (Hymenoptera Formicidae Aenictinae) from Southeast Asia. Zootaxa 3426, 29-44.