Key to Afrotropical Polyrhachis species-groups

This worker key is based on: Rigato, F. 2016. The ant genus Polyrhachis F. Smith in sub-Saharan Africa, with descriptions of ten new species. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa. 4088:1–50.

You may also be interested in

• Polyrhachis
• Myrma
• Key to Afrotropical Polyrhachis species
• Identification resources for Afrotropical Ants

1

• Metanotal suture distinctly impressed, as a V- or U-shaped groove in profile . . . . . . 2

• Metanotal suture not impressed, often faint . . . . . 3

2

• At least pro- and mesonotum strongly laterally marginate . . . . . militaris-group

• Mesosoma immarginate . . . . . monista-group

3

• Mesosoma distinctly laterally marginate. Pilosity strongly reduced . . . . . viscosa-group

• Mesosoma at least partially immarginate and/or at most with lateral margination very weak in part. Pilosity often abundant . . . . . 4

4

• Mesosoma short, in profile appearing distinctly high, short and posteriorly humped, with a long and very steep propodeal declivity; propodeal dorsum unarmed at its posterior corners. Anterior clypeal margin always bearing a median shallow rectangular lobe . . . . . alexisi-group

• Mesosoma more elongate, in profile not appearing distinctly high, short and posteriorly humped; propodeal declivity not particularly long and/or steep and propodeal dorsum usually toothed or ridged at its posterior corners. Anterior clypeal margin often without a median rectangular lobe . . . . . 5

5

• Mesosoma often fully immarginate; mesonotal and propodeal margination, if present, at most weak. In dorsal view mesoscutellum not visible . . . . . revoili-group

• Pro- and mesonotum immarginate, propodeum marginate. In dorsal view mesoscutellum distinct . . . . . gamaii-group