Key to Australian Aenictus Species

The following key to Australian Aenictus is based on Shattuck (2008). This key is worker-based and A. hilli, known only from males, is not included.

1

• A ridge (parafrontal ridge) present on the front of the head starting between the antennal and mandibular insertions and extending posteriorly; head capsule varying from smooth posteriorly and weakly punctate between the frontal carinae and above the mandibular insertions to completely punctuate => 2

• Area between antennal and mandibular insertions smooth or at most slightly angular but never ridged (parafrontal ridge absent); head capsule entirely smooth => 3

2

• Pronotum with large smooth areas dorsally and laterally, other areas micro-reticulate => Aenictus philiporum

• Pronotum entirely sculptured with dense micro-reticulations => 4

3

• Head with large pale patches near the posterolateral corners; subpetiolar process generally absent but sometimes present as a slight carina => Aenictus diclops

• Head essentially uniform in colour; subpetiolar process large and rectangular => 5

4

• Scape relatively long (scape index > 107) => Aenictus nesiotis

• Scape relatively short (scape index < 103) => Aenictus aratus

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5

• Scape relatively long (scape index > 89) => Aenictus prolixus

• Scape relatively short (scape index < 91) => 6

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6

• Body larger (HW > 0.62mm); sculpturing on pronotum extending posteriorly onto the main pronotal body => Aenictus acerbus

• Body smaller (HW < 0.62mm); sculpturing on pronotum limited to the anterior sections around the collar, the main body of pronotum smooth => Aenictus turneri

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