Key to Echinopla species

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This key to Echinopla workers is based on Xu & Zhou (2015[1]). This is the most current key to treat all the species in the genus, but there have been more than ten new species described since this was key published.

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1

Figures 1-4. Head, full-face view, of (1) Echninopla mistura holotype worker, (2) E. vermiculata worker, (3) E. vermiculata type queen, (4) E. pseudostriata holotype worker. Images from AntWeb (2014).
  • In full-face view, frontal lobes very narrow and suberect, such that antennal fossae exposed (Fig. 1). In lateral view, petiole nearly square, not narrowed dorsally, as high as gaster (Fig. 9). In dorsal view, petiole roughly trapezoidal, narrowed posteriorly, sides without spines or teeth (Fig. 18). Body surface shagreened (Fig. 1, 9, 18), not longitudinally striate, bluntly spined nor densely cribrate. Body black; mandibles, antennae, eyes and legs blackish brown (Indonesia) …..Echinopla mistura
Echinopla mistura casent0901885 p 1 high.jpg
Figures 5-8. Head, full-face view, of (5) E. deceptor holotype queen, (6) E. striata syntype worker, (7) E. lineata worker, (8) E. lineata type queen. Images from AntWeb (2014).
  • In full-face view, frontal lobes laterally expanded, such that antennal fossae partly or completely concealed by frontal lobes (Figs. 2-8, 27-30, 39-46). In lateral view, petiole roughly conical, narrowed dorsally, much lower than gaster (Figs. 10-16, 31-34, 47-54). In dorsal view, petiole transverse, sides always spined or toothed (Figs. 19-25, 35-38, 58-65). Body surface more or less longitudinally striate (Figs. 19-26), bluntly spined (Figs. 35-38), or densely cribrate (Figs. 59-68), at least body sides densely cribrate (Fig. 47) .....2
Figures 9-13. Body, profile view, of (9) Echninopla mistura holotype worker, (10) E. vermiculata worker, (11) E. vermiculata type queen, (12) E. pseudostriata holotype worker, (13) E. deceptor holotype queen. Images 9-16 from AntWeb (2014), illustration 17 from Stitz (1938).

2

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  • Head or mesosoma longitudinally striate (Figs. 2-8, 19-26) .....3
  • Head and mesosoma bluntly spined (Figs. 2730, 31-34) or densely cribrate (Figs. 40-46, 59-68), or at least body sides densely cribrate (Fig. 47) .....8
Figures 14-17. Body, profile view, of (14) E. striata syntype worker, (15) E. lineata worker, (16) E. lineata type queen, (17) E. densistriata worker (mesosoma only). Images 14-16 from AntWeb (2014), illustration 17 from Stitz (1938).

3

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  • Propodeum irregularly rugose, not longitudinally striate (Figs. 19-21) .....4
  • Propodeum regularly longitudinally striate (Figs. 22-26) .....5
Figures 18-23. Body, dorsal view, of (18) Echninopla mistura holotype worker, (19) E. vermiculata worker, (20) E. vermiculata type queen, (21) E. pseudostriata holotype worker, (22) E. deceptor holotype queen, (23) E. striata syntype worker. Images 18-23 from AntWeb (2014).

4

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  • In full-face view, frons of head irregularly rugose, not longitudinally striate (Figs. 2-3). In dorsal view, humeral corners of pronotum forming a right-angle. Petiole with a long spine on each side, distance between spine tips wider than propodeum (Fig. 19). Body black (Indonesia, Philippines, Sulawesi …..Echinopla vermiculata
Echinopla-vermiculataL2x.jpg
  • In full-face view, frons of head regularly longitudinally striate (Fig. 4). In dorsal view, humeral corners of pronotum bluntly angled. Petiole with a short spine on each side, distance between spine tips narrower than propodeum (Fig. 21). Body black (New Guinea, Philippines) …..Echinopla pseudostriata
MCZ-ENT00516169 Echinopla pseudostriata hal.jpg
Figures 24-26. Body, dorsal view, of (24) E. lineata worker, (25) E. lineata type queen, (26) E. densistriata worker (mesosoma only). Images 24-25 from AntWeb (2014), illustration 26 from Stitz (1938).

5

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  • Gaster smooth, without longitudinal striation. In dorsal view, humeral corners of pronotum roundly angled. Petiole with a short spine on each side, distance between spine tips narrower than propodeum (Fig. 22). Body black (Indonesia) …..Echinopla deceptor
Echinopla deceptor casent0901884 p 1 high.jpg
  • Gaster not smooth, longitudinally striate. In dorsal view, humeral corners of propodeum forming an obtuse or right angle. Petiole with a long spine on each side, distance between spine tips as wide as or wider than propodeum (Figs. 23-26) .....6
Figures 27-30. Head, full-face view, of (27) Echninopla melanarctos worker, (28) E. pallipes holotype worker, (29) E. tritschleri holotype worker, (30) E. cherapunjiensis holotype worker. Images from AntWeb (2014).
Figures 31-34. Body, profile view, of (31) Echninopla melanarctos worker, (32) E. pallipes holotype worker, (33) E. tritschleri holotype worker, (34) E. cherapunjiensis holotype worker. Images from AntWeb (2014).

6

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  • In dorsal view propodeum roughly rectangular, weakly widened posteriorly, anterior corners acutely toothed. Humeral corners of pronotum acutely toothed (Fig. 26). Body black (Borneo) …..Echinopla densistriata
Echinopla densistriata focol2562 h 1 high.jpg
Echinopla densistriata focol2562 p 1 high.jpg
  • In dorsal view propodeum roughly trapezoidal, strongly widened posteriorly, anterior corners without acute teeth. Humeral corners of pronotum bluntly toothed (Figs. 23-25) .....7
Figures 35-38. Body, dorsal view, of (35) Echninopla melanarctos worker, (36) E. pallipes holotype worker, (37) E. tritschleri holotype worker, (38) E. cherapunjiensis holotype worker. Images from AntWeb (2014).

7

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  • In full-face view, head finely longitudinally striate, frons with about 70 striations between eyes (Fig. 6). Body dorsum with blackish standing hairs and sparse pubescence (Fig. 14, 23). Body black (Malaysia, Philippines, Borneo, Indonesia, China) …..Echinopla striata
Echinopla striata casent0901880 p 1 high.jpg
  • In full-face view, head coarsely longitudinally striate, frons with about 50 striations between eyes (Fig. 7-8). Body dorsum with whitish standing hairs and dense pubescence (Fig. 15-16, 24-25). Body black (Borneo, Indonesia, India, Nicobar Island, Krakatau Island) …..Echinopla lineata
Echinopla lineata casent0179006 p 1 high.jpg
Figures 39-44. Head, full-face view, of (39) Echninopla nitida holotype worker, (40) E. silvestrii holotype queen, (41) E. dubitata syntype worker, (42) E. australis syntype worker, (43) E. praetexta holotype worker, (44) E. crenulata holotype worker. Images from AntWeb (2014).
Figures 45-46. Head, full-face view, of (45) E. serrata holotype worker, (46) E. turneri type worker. Images from AntWeb (2014).

8

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  • Head and mesosoma bluntly spined with background retirugose (Figs. 27-38) .....9
  • Head and mesosoma cribrate with interstice coarsely retirugose (Fig. 40-68), at least body sides densely cribrate (Fig. 47) .....12

9

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  • In lateral view, dorsum of mesosoma strongly convex and forming a complete arch, not interrupted by impressed or notched metanotal groove (Figs. 31-32). In dorsal view, mesosoma slightly constricted at metanotal groove position (Figs. 35-36) .....10
  • In lateral view, dorsum of mesosoma almost straight, not forming a complete arch, interrupted by impressed or notched metanotal groove (Figs. 33-34). In dorsal view, mesosoma strongly constricted at metanotal groove position (Figs. 37-38).....11
Figures 47-49. Body, profile view, of (47) Echninopla nitida holotype worker, (48) E. silvestrii holotype queen, (49) E. dubitata syntype worker. Images from AntWeb (2014).
Figures 50-54. Body, profile view, of (50) E. australis syntype worker, (51) E. praetexta holotype worker, (52) E. crenulata holotype worker, (53) E. serrata holotype worker, (54) E. turneri type worker. Images from AntWeb (2014).

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  • Dorsa of head, mesosoma and first gastral segment with well developed long blunt spines. Sides of head regularly longitudinally striate (Figs. 27, 31). In dorsal view each side of petiole with a long spine, longer than half the width of the node (Fig. 35). Body black; mandibular apices, last two segments of tarsi and gastral apex reddish brown; eyes blackish brown (Singapore, Malaysia, Borneo, Thailand) …..Echinopla melanarctos
Echinopla melanarctos casent0178497 profile 1.jpg
  • Dorsa of head and mesosoma with weakly developed short blunt spines, first gastral segment densely cribrate. Sides of head irregularly rugose (Fig. 28, 32). In dorsal view, each side of petiole with a short spine, shorter than half width of the node (Fig. 36). Body black; mandibles and antennae reddish brown; legs and gastral apex yellowish brown (Borneo, Philippines, Thailand) …..Echinopla pallipes
Echinopla pallipes casent0178847 profile 1.jpg

11

return to couplet .....9

  • In full-face view, eyes moderately convex and barely break lateral outline of head (Fig. 29). In lateral view, dorsal outline of mesosoma interrupted by distinctly impressed metanotal groove (Fig. 33). Dorsa of head and mesosoma with moderately long blunt spines. Sides of first gastral segment longitudinally striate (Fig. 33, 37). Body black; mandibles and antennae reddish brown; legs and gastral apex yellowish brown; eyes blackish brown (Borneo, Indonesia) …..Echinopla tritschleri
Echinopla tritschleri casent0102461 profile 1.jpg
  • In full-face view, eyes strongly convex and distinctly break lateral outline of head (Fig. 30). In lateral view, dorsal outline of mesosoma indistinctly interrupted by narrowly notched metanotal groove (Fig. 34). Dorsa of head and mesosoma with short blunt spines. Sides of first gastral segment densely cribrate (Fig. 34, 38). Body black; mandibles and antennae reddish brown; legs yellowish brown (India, China) …..Echinopla cherapunjiensis
Echinopla cherapunjiensis antweb1008034 p 1 high.jpg
Figures 55-57. Mesosoma, profile view, of (55) Echninopla maeandrina queen, (56) E. octodentata worker, (57) E. arfaki worker. Illustrations from Stitz (1938).
Figures 58-61. Body dorsal of (58) Echninopla nitida holotype worker, (59) E. silvestrii holotype queen, (60) E. dubitata syntype worker, (61) E. australis syntype worker. Images from AntWeb (2014).

12

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  • Dorsa of head and mesosoma smooth and shining (Figs. 39, 58), sides of mesosoma and gaster densely elongately cribrate (Fig. 47). In dorsal view, propodeum wider than pronotum (Fig. 58). Body dorsum hairless (Fig. 47). Body black; flagella, palpi and tarsi yellowish brown (Indonesia) …..Echinopla nitida
Echinopla nitida casent0901883 p 1 high.jpg
  • Dorsa of head and mesosoma densely cribrate (Figs. 40-46, 59-68). In dorsal view, propodeum as wide as or narrower than pronotum (Figs. 59-68). Body dorsum with abundant hairs (Figs. 48-57) Body color not as above .....13

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return to couplet .....12

  • Cribrate holes of mesosoma oblongate, irregular and not circular. In dorsal view, posterior part of mesonotum with a tooth on each side. Queens (Figs. 59, 66) .....14
  • Cribrate holes of mesosoma not oblongate, regular and circular. In dorsal view, posterior part of mesonotum without a tooth on each side. Workers (Figs. 60-65, 67-68) .....15
Figures 62-63. Body dorsal of (62) E. praetexta holotype worker, (63) E. crenulata holotype worker. Images from AntWeb (2014).
Figures 64-65. Body dorsal of (64) E. serrata holotype worker, (65) E. turneri type worker. Images from AntWeb (2014).

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  • In lateral view, dorsum of mesonotum straight. Posterodorsal corner of propodeum broadly rounded (Fig. 48). In dorsal view lateral teeth of mesonotum blunt, located at sides of scutellum. Posterior margin of scutum and posterior margin of scutellum nearly straight (Fig. 59). Body black; mandibles reddish brown; ocelli and legs yellowish brown; eyes blackish brown (New Guinea) …..Echinopla silvestrii
Echinopla silvestrii dealate queen
Echinopla silvestrii casent0903469 p 1 high.jpg
  • In lateral view, dorsum of mesonotum weakly convex. Posterodorsal corner of propodeum narrowly rounded (Fig. 55). In dorsal view lateral teeth of mesonotum acute, located at posterolateral corners of scutum. Posterior margin of scutum weakly concave, posterior margin of scutellum weakly convex (Fig. 66). Body black; antennae, tibiae and tarsi brown (New Guinea) …..Echinopla maeandrina
Echinopla maeandrina dealate queen
Echinopla maeandrina focol2563 p 1 high.jpg

15

return to couplet .....13

  • In lateral view, dorsal outline of mesosoma interrupted by impressed metanotal groove (Figs. 49-50) .....16
  • In lateral view, dorsal outline of mesosoma entire, metanotal groove not impressed (Figs. 51-54, 56-57) .....18
Figures 66-67. Mesosoma, dorsal view, of (66) Echninopla maeandrina queen, (67) E. octodentata worker. Illustrations from Stitz (1938).
Figures 68. Mesosoma, dorsal view, of (68) E. arfaki worker. Illustrations from Stitz (1938).

16

return to couplet .....15

  • In lateral view, metanotal groove deeply impressed (Fig. 49). In dorsal view, petiole with a long spine on each side. Gaster shining, sparsely finely cribrate, interstice 2-3 times puncture diameter (Fig. 60). Body black; mandibles, antennae, tibiae and tarsi blackish brown; palpi, femora and last two tarsal segments brownish yellow (Indonesia, Sulawesi) …..Echinopla dubitata
Echinopla dubitata casent0901881 p 1 high.jpg
  • In lateral view, metanotal groove weakly impressed (Fig. 50). In dorsal view, petiole with more than one spine or tooth on each side. Gaster not shining, densely finely cribrate, interstice about as wide as puncture diameter (Fig. 61) .....17

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  • In dorsal view, petiole with four teeth on each side. Humeral corners of pronotum bluntly angled, anterior and lateral margins of promesonotum entire (Fig. 61). Body black; mandibles, antennae and legs brownish yellow; eyes and gastral apex yellowish brown (Australia, New Guinea) …..Echinopla australis
Echinopla australis casent0172010 profile 1.jpg
  • In dorsal view, petiole with three stout spines on each side. Humeral corners of pronotum toothed, anterior and lateral margins of promesonotum weakly finely crenulate. Body black with bronze shimmer (Borneo) …..Echinopla rugosa
Echinopla rugosa focol2561 h 1 high.jpg
Echinopla rugosa focol2561 p 1 high.jpg

18

return to couplet .....13

  • In dorsal view mesosoma strongly constricted between mesonotum and propodeum (Figs. 67, 68) .....19
  • In dorsal view mesosoma weakly constricted between mesonotum and propodeum (Figs. 62-65) .....20

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  • Metanotal groove present, but not impressed. Sides of promesonotum entire (Figs. 56, 67). Body black; antennae and legs reddish (New Guinea) …..Echinopla octodentata
Echinopla octodentata focol2560 h 1 high.jpg
Echinopla octodentata focol2560 p 1 high.jpg
  • Metanotal groove absent. Sides of promesonotum serrate (Figs. 57, 68). Body black (New Guinea) …..Echinopla arfaki
Echinopla arfaki focol2561 h 1 high.jpg
Echinopla arfaki focol2561 p 1 high.jpg

20

return to couplet .....18

  • In dorsal view, mesosoma slightly narrowed posteriorly, propodeum about as broad as pronotum (Figs. 62-63) .....21
  • In dorsal view, mesosoma strongly narrowed posteriorly, propodeum distinctly narrower than pronotum (Figs. 64-65) .....22

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  • In full-face view, head abundantly cribrate, punctures on head roughly circular, interstice smooth and shining, wider than punctures diameter (Fig. 43). In lateral view, dorsum of mesosoma weakly convex, dorsum of gaster lacking standing hairs and pubescence (Fig. 51). In dorsal view, gaster abundantly cribrate, interstice about as broad as puncture diameter (Fig. 62). Body black; mandibles and femora blackish brown; antennae, tibiae and tarsi brownish yellow (Indonesia) …..Echinopla praetexta
Echinopla praetexta casent0901882 p 1 high.jpg
  • In full-face view, head densely cribrate, punctures on head elongate elliptical, interstice dull, narrower than puncture diameter (Fig. 44). In lateral view, dorsum of mesosoma strongly convex, dorsum of gaster with abundant standing hairs and pubescence (Fig. 52). In dorsal view, gaster densely cribrate, interstice narrower than puncture diameter (Fig. 63). Body black; apices of mandibles and last tarsal segments blackish brown (New Guinea) …..Echinopla crenulata
Echinopla crenulata casent0903468 p 1 high.jpg

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  • In full-face view, head densely elongately cribrate, interstice much narrower than puncture diameter (Fig. 45). In lateral view, dorsum of mesosoma strongly convex, propodeal declivity steeply sloped. Dorsum of mesosoma with sparse standing hairs, dorsum of gaster without pubescence (Fig. 53). In dorsal view, gaster densely elliptically cribrate, interstice narrower than puncture diameter (Fig. 64). Body black; mandibles, antennae and legs brownish yellow (Indonesia) …..Echinopla serrata
Echinopla serrata casent0903467 p 1 high.jpg
  • In full-face view, head densely circularly cribrate, interstice about as broad as puncture diameter (Fig. 46). In lateral view, dorsum of mesosoma weakly convex, propodeal declivity nearly vertical. Dorsum of mesosoma with abundant standing hairs, dorsum of gaster with dense pubescence (Fig. 54). In dorsal view, gaster densely finely cribrate, interstice about as broad as puncture diameter (Fig. 65). Body black; mandibles yellowish red; antennae and legs yellowish brown (Australia) …..Echinopla turneri
Echinopla turneri casent0906845 p 1 high.jpg

References

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