Key to Afrotropical Zasphinctus workers

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Key to workers of Afrotropical Zasphinctus species, based on Hita Garcia et al. (2025). This key replaces the key from Hita Garcia et al. (2017).

1

  • Body size significantly larger (HL 0.73–0.98; WL 0.98–1.40); in full-face view head appearing broader (CI 80–86) (Fig. 4A, B, C, E, G); vertexal margin weakly developed or absent (Fig. 6A, B, C, E, G); petiolar node 1.0–1.3 × wider than long (DPI 102–131) (Fig. 14A, B, C, E, G); ASIII in dorsal view appearing more rectangular and less trapezoidal (Fig. 15A, B, C, E, G) [Z. sarowiwai group] => 2
  • Body size significantly smaller (HL 0.54–0.60; WL 0.73–0.87); in full-face view head appearing thinner (CI 78–80) (Fig. 4D, F, H); vertexal margin strongly developed and clearly separating cephalic dorsum from posterior face of head (Fig. 6D, F, H); petiolar node ~ 1.1–1.2 × longer than wide (DPI 82–93) (Fig. 14D, F, H); ASIII in dorsal view appearing more trapezoidal (Fig. 15D, F, H) [Z. obamai group] => 6
  • Hita Garcia et al. (2025), Figure 4. Diagnostic plate showing still images from surface volume renderings of the head in full-face view (the remainder of the body virtually removed) (torular-posttorular complex in semi-transparent red; anterior projections of parafrontal ridges in semi-transparent yellow). A, Z. aprilia holotype (CASENT0764763). B, Z. kouakoui paratype (CASENT0764653). C, Z. lolae holotype (KGCOL02270). D, Z. lumumbai holotype (MRACFOR0010007). E, Z. ndouri holotype (KGCOL01883). F, Z. obamai holotype (CASENT0764125). G, Z. sarowiwai holotype (CASENT0764654). H, Z. wilsoni holotype (MCZ-ENT00512764).
  • Hita Garcia et al. (2025), Figure 6. Diagnostic plate showing still images from surface volume renderings of the head in posterodorsal view (the remainder of the body virtually removed) (occipital margin in semi-transparent red; vertexal margin in semi-transparent yellow). A, Z. aprilia holotype (CASENT0764763). B, Z. kouakoui paratype (CASENT0764653). C, Z. lolae holotype (KGCOL02270). D, Z. lumumbai holotype (MRACFOR0010007). E, Z. ndouri holotype (KGCOL01883). F, Z. obamai holotype (CASENT0764125). G, Z. sarowiwai holotype (CASENT0764654). H, Z. wilsoni holotype (MCZ-ENT00512764).
  • Hita Garcia et al. (2025), Figure 14. Diagnostic plate showing still images from surface volume renderings of the tergum of AS II (petiole) in dorsal view (the remainder of the body virtually removed). A, Z. aprilia holotype (CASENT0764763). B, Z. kouakoui holotype (KGCOL00589). C, Z. lolae holotype (KGCOL02270). D, Z. lumumbai holotype (MRACFOR0010007). E, Z. ndouri holotype (KGCOL01883). F, Z. obamai holotype (CASENT0764125). G, Z. sarowiwai paratype (CASENT0764650). H, Z. wilsoni holotype (MCZ-ENT00512764).
  • Hita Garcia et al. (2025), Figure 15. Diagnostic plate showing still images from surface volume renderings of the tergum of AS III in dorsal view (the remainder of the body virtually removed). A, Z. aprilia holotype (CASENT0764763). B, Z. kouakoui paratype (CASENT0764653). C, Z. lolae paratype (CASENT0764651). D, Z. lumumbai holotype (MRAC-FOR0010007). E, Z. ndouri holotype (KGCOL01883). F, Z. obamai holotype (CASENT0764125). G, Z. sarowiwai paratype (CASENT0764650). H, Z. wilsoni holotype (MCZ-ENT00512764).

2

return to couplet #1

  • Posterodorsal margin of mesosoma separating propodeal dorsum from declivity interrupted centrally (Figs 11A, 12A); in ventral view girdling constrictions between AS IV, V, and VI unsculptured and not cross-ribbed (Fig. 18A). [D.R. Congo, Uganda] => Zasphinctus aprilia
  • Posterodorsal margin of mesosoma separating propodeal dorsum from declivity running uninterrupted in straight line (Figs 11B, C, E, G, 12B, C, E, G); in ventral view girdling constrictions between AS IV, V, and VI conspicuously cross-ribbed (Fig. 18B, C, E, G) => 3
  • Hita Garcia et al. (2025), Figure 11. Diagnostic plate showing still images from surface volume renderings of the mesosoma in dorsal view (the remainder of the body virtually removed). A, Z. aprilia holotype (CASENT0764763). B, Z. kouakoui paratype (CASENT0764653). C, Z. lolae holotype (KGCOL02270). D, Z. lumumbai holotype (MRAC-FOR0010007). E, Z. ndouri holotype (KGCOL01883). F, Z. obamai holotype (CASENT0764125). G, Z. sarowiwai paratype (CASENT0764650). H, Z. wilsoni holotype (MCZ-ENT00512764).
  • Hita Garcia et al. (2025), Figure 12. Diagnostic plate showing still images from surface volume renderings of the mesosoma in posterior view focusing on propodeal declivity (outline of declivity in semi-transparent yellow). A, Z. aprilia holotype (CASENT0764763). B, Z. kouakoui paratype (CASENT0764653). C, Z. lolae paratype (CASENT0764651). D, Z. lumumbai holotype (MRACFOR0010007). E, Z. ndouri holotype (KGCOL01883). F, Z. obamai holotype (CASENT0764125). G, Z. sarowiwai paratype (CASENT0764650). H, Z. wilsoni holotype (MCZ-ENT00512764).
  • Hita Garcia et al. (2025), Figure 18. Diagnostic plate showing still images from surface volume renderings of the sternites of AS III-VII in ventral view (the remainder of the body virtually removed) (girdling constrictions with cross-ribbed sculpture are in semi-transparent red; unsculptured girdling constrictions are in semi-transparent yellow). A, Z. aprilia holotype (CASENT0764763). B, Z. kouakoui paratype (CASENT0764653). C, Z. lolae paratype (CASENT0764651). D, Z. lumumbai holotype (MRACFOR0010007). E, Z. ndouri holotype (KGCOL01883). F, Z. obamai holotype (CASENT0764125). G, Z. sarowiwai paratype (CASENT0764650). H, Z. wilsoni holotype (MCZ-ENT00512764).

3

return to couplet #2

  • In full-face view, head appearing bulkier (Fig. 4G); cephalic dorsum with much less and smaller piliferous foveae (Figs 4G, 6G); torular-posttorular complex in profile comparatively much higher and shaped as relatively wider and larger funnel (Fig. 5G). [Cameroon] => Zasphinctus sarowiwai
Zasphinctus sarowiwai
Z sarowiwai casent0352813 p 1 high.jpg
Z sarowiwai casent0352813 d 1 high.jpg
  • In full-face view, head appearing less bulky (Fig. 4B, C, E); cephalic dorsum with many more moderately sized to larger piliferous foveae (Figs 4B, C, E, 6B, C, E); torular-posttorular complex in profile comparatively lower and shaped as relatively narrower and smaller funnel (Fig. 5B, C, E) => 4
  • Hita Garcia et al. (2025), Figure 4. Diagnostic plate showing still images from surface volume renderings of the head in full-face view (the remainder of the body virtually removed) (torular-posttorular complex in semi-transparent red; anterior projections of parafrontal ridges in semi-transparent yellow). A, Z. aprilia holotype (CASENT0764763). B, Z. kouakoui paratype (CASENT0764653). C, Z. lolae holotype (KGCOL02270). D, Z. lumumbai holotype (MRACFOR0010007). E, Z. ndouri holotype (KGCOL01883). F, Z. obamai holotype (CASENT0764125). G, Z. sarowiwai holotype (CASENT0764654). H, Z. wilsoni holotype (MCZ-ENT00512764).
  • Hita Garcia et al. (2025), Figure 5. Diagnostic plate showing still images from surface volume renderings of the head in profile view (the remainder of the body virtually removed) (torular-posttorular complex in semi-transparent red). A, Z. aprilia holotype (CASENT0764763). B, Z. kouakoui paratype (CASENT0764653). C, Z. lolae paratype (CASENT0764651). D, Z. lumumbai holotype (KGCOL02270). E, Z. ndouri holotype (KGCOL01883). F, Z. obamai holotype (CASENT0764125). G, Z. sarowiwai holotype (CASENT0764654). H, Z. wilsoni holotype (MCZ-ENT00512764).
  • Hita Garcia et al. (2025), Figure 6. Diagnostic plate showing still images from surface volume renderings of the head in posterodorsal view (the remainder of the body virtually removed) (occipital margin in semi-transparent red; vertexal margin in semi-transparent yellow). A, Z. aprilia holotype (CASENT0764763). B, Z. kouakoui paratype (CASENT0764653). C, Z. lolae holotype (KGCOL02270). D, Z. lumumbai holotype (MRACFOR0010007). E, Z. ndouri holotype (KGCOL01883). F, Z. obamai holotype (CASENT0764125). G, Z. sarowiwai holotype (CASENT0764654). H, Z. wilsoni holotype (MCZ-ENT00512764).

4

return to couplet #3

  • With head in full-face view median clypeal area without any tooth or only a very small denticle, if a small denticle is present, its size is significantly smaller than the basal projection of the parafrontal ridges (Fig. 4B); lateral arms of hypostomal carina with a mostly rounded outline (Fig. 8B). [Ivory Coast] => Zasphinctus kouakoui
  • With head in full-face view median clypeal area usually with conspicuous tooth, its size as big as the basal projection of the parafrontal ridges (Fig. 4C, E); lateral arms of hypostomal carina strongly angulate at widest points (Fig. 8C, E) => 5
  • Hita Garcia et al. (2025), Figure 4. Diagnostic plate showing still images from surface volume renderings of the head in full-face view (the remainder of the body virtually removed) (torular-posttorular complex in semi-transparent red; anterior projections of parafrontal ridges in semi-transparent yellow). A, Z. aprilia holotype (CASENT0764763). B, Z. kouakoui paratype (CASENT0764653). C, Z. lolae holotype (KGCOL02270). D, Z. lumumbai holotype (MRACFOR0010007). E, Z. ndouri holotype (KGCOL01883). F, Z. obamai holotype (CASENT0764125). G, Z. sarowiwai holotype (CASENT0764654). H, Z. wilsoni holotype (MCZ-ENT00512764).
  • Hita Garcia et al. (2025), Figure 8. Diagnostic plate showing still images from surface volume renderings of the head in ventral view (the remainder of the body virtually removed) (hypostoma in semi-transparent red; postgenal sulcus in semi-transparent yellow; postoccipital carina in semi-transparent green). A, Z. aprilia holotype (CASENT0764763). B, Z. kouakoui paratype (CASENT0764653). C, Z. lolae paratype (CASENT0764651). D, Z. lumumbai holotype (MRACFOR0010007). E, Z. ndouri holotype (KGCOL01883). F, Z. obamai holotype (CASENT0764125). G, Z. sarowiwai paratype (CASENT0764650). H, Z. wilsoni holotype (MCZ-ENT00512764).

5

return to couplet #4

  • Significantly much smaller species (HL 0.73–0.77; WL 0.98–1.05); sternite of AS III appearing only moderately broad and short (Fig. 16E); tergite of AS VI appearing higher, ~ 1.7–1.8 × broader than long (DA6I 168–179) (Fig. 17E); body colouration always much lighter, uniformly reddish brown to moderately darker chestnut brown (Fig. 20E). [Senegal] => Zasphinctus ndouri
  • Significantly much larger species (HL 0.90–0.98; WL 1.29–1.40); sternite of AS III appearing very broad and short (Fig. 16C); tergite of AS VI appearing shorter, ~ 1.9–2.0 × broader than long (DA6I 189–200) (Fig. 17C); head, mesosoma and petiole always much darker in colour, very dark brown to black, AS III–VI ranging from light to very dark brown (Fig. 20C). [Ghana] => Zasphinctus lolae
  • Hita Garcia et al. (2025), Figure 16. Diagnostic plate showing still images from surface volume renderings of the sternum of AS III in ventral view (the remainder of the body virtually removed) (Bum in semi-transparent yellow, prora in semi-transparent red). A, Z. aprilia holotype (CASENT0764763). B, Z. kouakoui paratype (CASENT0764653). C, Z. lolae paratype (CASENT0764651). D, Z. lumumbai holotype (MRACFOR0010007). E, Z. ndouri holotype (KGCOL01883). F, Z. obamai holotype (CASENT0764125). G, Z. sarowiwai paratype (CASENT0764650). H, Z. wilsoni holotype (MCZ-ENT00512764).
  • Hita Garcia et al. (2025), Figure 17. Diagnostic plate showing still images from surface volume renderings of the tergum of AS VI in dorsal view (the remainder of the body virtually removed) (outline of post-sclerite tergum in semi-transparent red). A, Z. aprilia holotype (CASENT0764763). B, Z. kouakoui paratype (CASENT0764653). C, Zasphinctus lolae paratype (CASENT0764651). D, Z. lumumbai holotype (MRACFOR0010007). E, Z. ndouri holotype (KGCOL01883). F, Z. obamai holotype (CASENT0764125). G, Z. sarowiwai paratype (CASENT0764650). H, Z. wilsoni holotype (MCZ-ENT00512764).
  • Hita Garcia et al. (2025), Figure 20. Diagnostic plate showing full body in profile view of all species treated herein (stacked colour images). A, Z. aprilia holotype (CASENT0764763). B, Z. kouakoui holotype (KGCOL00589). C, Z. lolae holotype (KGCOL02270). D, Z. lumumbai holotype (MRACFOR0010007). E, Z. ndouri holotype (KGCOL01883). F, Z. obamai holotype (CASENT0764125). G, Z. sarowiwai holotype (CASENT0764654). H, Z. wilsoni holotype (MCZ-ENT00512764).

6

return to couplet #1

  • Larger species (WL 0.87); with head in full-face view, occipital extensions visible posteriorly as little horns and head widest relatively anteriorly (Fig. 4H); hypostoma with lateral arms strongly diverging, moderately thick, and strongly angulate at widest point (Fig. 8H); prora in ventral view very weakly developed with almost absent lateroventral margins (Fig. 16H); transverse groove at posterior end of abdominal segment III in ventral view weak to absent, instead with irregular groves and rugosity (Fig. 16H). [Mozambique] => Zasphinctus wilsoni
  • Smaller species (WL 0.73–0.81); with head in full-face view, no occipital extensions visible posteriorly as little horns and head widest relatively medially or posteriorly (Fig. 4D, F); hypostoma with lateral arms less diverging, relatively thin, and mostly rounded throughout (Fig. 8D, F); prora in ventral view well-developed with thick, irregularly shaped and rounded lateroventral margins (Fig. 16D, F); transverse groove at posterior end of abdominal segment III in ventral view with thick, deep, sharply and irregularly outlined transverse groove (Fig. 16D, F) => 7
  • Hita Garcia et al. (2025), Figure 4. Diagnostic plate showing still images from surface volume renderings of the head in full-face view (the remainder of the body virtually removed) (torular-posttorular complex in semi-transparent red; anterior projections of parafrontal ridges in semi-transparent yellow). A, Z. aprilia holotype (CASENT0764763). B, Z. kouakoui paratype (CASENT0764653). C, Z. lolae holotype (KGCOL02270). D, Z. lumumbai holotype (MRACFOR0010007). E, Z. ndouri holotype (KGCOL01883). F, Z. obamai holotype (CASENT0764125). G, Z. sarowiwai holotype (CASENT0764654). H, Z. wilsoni holotype (MCZ-ENT00512764).
  • Hita Garcia et al. (2025), Figure 8. Diagnostic plate showing still images from surface volume renderings of the head in ventral view (the remainder of the body virtually removed) (hypostoma in semi-transparent red; postgenal sulcus in semi-transparent yellow; postoccipital carina in semi-transparent green). A, Z. aprilia holotype (CASENT0764763). B, Z. kouakoui paratype (CASENT0764653). C, Z. lolae paratype (CASENT0764651). D, Z. lumumbai holotype (MRACFOR0010007). E, Z. ndouri holotype (KGCOL01883). F, Z. obamai holotype (CASENT0764125). G, Z. sarowiwai paratype (CASENT0764650). H, Z. wilsoni holotype (MCZ-ENT00512764).
  • Hita Garcia et al. (2025), Figure 16. Diagnostic plate showing still images from surface volume renderings of the sternum of AS III in ventral view (the remainder of the body virtually removed) (Bum in semi-transparent yellow, prora in semi-transparent red). A, Z. aprilia holotype (CASENT0764763). B, Z. kouakoui paratype (CASENT0764653). C, Z. lolae paratype (CASENT0764651). D, Z. lumumbai holotype (MRACFOR0010007). E, Z. ndouri holotype (KGCOL01883). F, Z. obamai holotype (CASENT0764125). G, Z. sarowiwai paratype (CASENT0764650). H, Z. wilsoni holotype (MCZ-ENT00512764).

7

return to couplet #6

  • Piliferous foveae on dorsum and sides of head conspicuously smaller (Figs 4F, 5F, 19F); subpetiolar process of petiole (AS II) in profile with extremely thickened anterior and ventral margins and well-developed concavity with differentiated fenestra (Fig. 13F). [Kenya] => Zasphinctus obamai
Zasphinctus obamai
Z obamai casent0178218 p 1 high.jpg
Z obamai casent0178218 d 1 high.jpg
  • Piliferous foveae on dorsum and sides of head conspicuously larger (Figs 4D, 5D, 19D); subpetiolar process of petiole (AS II) in profile with thickened anterior and ventral margins and weak concavity without differentiated fenestra (Fig. 13D). [D.R. Congo] => Zasphinctus lumumbai
  • Hita Garcia et al. (2025), Figure 4. Diagnostic plate showing still images from surface volume renderings of the head in full-face view (the remainder of the body virtually removed) (torular-posttorular complex in semi-transparent red; anterior projections of parafrontal ridges in semi-transparent yellow). A, Z. aprilia holotype (CASENT0764763). B, Z. kouakoui paratype (CASENT0764653). C, Z. lolae holotype (KGCOL02270). D, Z. lumumbai holotype (MRACFOR0010007). E, Z. ndouri holotype (KGCOL01883). F, Z. obamai holotype (CASENT0764125). G, Z. sarowiwai holotype (CASENT0764654). H, Z. wilsoni holotype (MCZ-ENT00512764).
  • Hita Garcia et al. (2025), Figure 5. Diagnostic plate showing still images from surface volume renderings of the head in profile view (the remainder of the body virtually removed) (torular-posttorular complex in semi-transparent red). A, Z. aprilia holotype (CASENT0764763). B, Z. kouakoui paratype (CASENT0764653). C, Z. lolae paratype (CASENT0764651). D, Z. lumumbai holotype (KGCOL02270). E, Z. ndouri holotype (KGCOL01883). F, Z. obamai holotype (CASENT0764125). G, Z. sarowiwai holotype (CASENT0764654). H, Z. wilsoni holotype (MCZ-ENT00512764).
  • Hita Garcia et al. (2025), Figure 13. Diagnostic plate showing still images from surface volume renderings of the tergum of AS II (petiole) in profile view (the remainder of the body virtually removed) (tergum in semi-transparent red, laterotergite in semi-transparent yellow). A, Z. aprilia holotype (CASENT0764763). B, Z. kouakoui paratype (CASENT0764653). C, Z. lolae holotype (KGCOL02270). D, Z. lumumbai holotype (MRACFOR0010007). E, Z. ndouri holotype (KGCOL01883). F, Z. obamai holotype (CASENT0764125). G, Z. sarowiwai paratype (CASENT0764650). H, Z. wilsoni holotype (MCZ-ENT00512764).
  • Hita Garcia et al. (2025), Figure 19. Diagnostic plate showing head in full-face view of all species treated herein (stacked colour images). A, Z. aprilia holotype (CASENT0764763). B, Z. kouakoui holotype (KGCOL00589). C, Z. lolae holotype (KGCOL02270). D, Z. lumumbai holotype (MRACFOR0010007). E, Z. ndouri holotype (KGCOL01883). F, Z. obamai holotype (CASENT0764125). G, Z. sarowiwai paratype (CASENT0764650). H, Z. wilsoni holotype (MCZ-ENT00512764).

References

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