Key to Gnamptogenys of Hispaniola

Additional information about the ants of the island can be found here: Ants of Hispaniola

This page can be useful but remains a work in progress.

The table below lists the 7 Gnamptogenys species that occur on the island.

species	distinguishing features	Large or small?	Mandible Shape	Endemic?	Haiti Only?	DR Only?
Gnamptogenys falcaria	Known from queen holotype			Yes	No	Yes
Gnamptogenys haytiana	yellowish color, exaggerated bend in 2nd gaster seg.	Small	Triangular	Yes	No	No
Gnamptogenys insularis				Yes	No	Yes
Gnamptogenys lineolata	Dark brown, longitudinal costa fragmentary on gaster	Small	Triangular	Yes	No	Yes
Gnamptogenys schmitti	elongate mandibles without denticles	Large	Sickle	Yes	Yes	No
Gnamptogenys semiferox	reddish brown, intermediate triangular/sickle shape mandible	Large	Irregular Sickle	Yes	No	Yes
Gnamptogenys striatula	Black body covered with thick longitudinal costate	Small	Triangular	No	No	Maybe

The key given below was created from a much larger key (Lattke 1995) and has not been well tested. There have not been many Gnamptogenys specimens collected on the island. All but one species is endemic and most are only known from one or two collections.

Almost half of the known species are not in the this key. Gnamptogenys falcaria (known only from a Holotype queen), Gnamptogenys insularis, and Gnamptogenys lineolata. There is likely enough information to add the two latter species using information from a 2020 New World Gnamptogenys key.

Key to Workers

1

Petiole in lateral view with subparallel anterior and posterior margins sharply set off at right angles to relatively brief dorsal margin (Fig. 21); vertex usually smooth and shining, occasionally with weak transverse striae; body color yellowish . . . . . . Gnamptogenys haytiana

Petiole not as above, in lateral view with anterior margin either broadly curving into dorsal margin or separated by broad angle; vertex strongly sculptured . . . . . 2

2

return to couplet 1

Petiolar node in lateral view relatively erect, posterodorsal and anterodorsal angles not differing notably; Declivitous propodeal face with 5-11 longitudinal costulae between spiracles and 1-3 transverse costulae between each spiracle and longitudinal costulae; decumbent pubescence on scapes sparse, < six decumbent and suberect hairs . . . . . . Gnamptogenys striatula

Petiole in lateral view posteriorly inclined, anterior margin joins dorsal margin through broad convexity that contrasts with sharp angle between posterior and dorsal margins . . . . . 3