Key to Manica

Key to Manica based on worker castes (modified from He et al., 2024).

Manica parasitica has been removed as it is currently considered to be a junior synonym of Manica bradleyi.

1

Body uniformly colored, ranging from brownish yellow, reddish brown to blackish (Figs 3, 4, 7) => 2
Body bicolored, head and gaster black with mesosoma, petiole and postpetiole reddish brown (Figs 2, 8), or gaster blackish brown with head, mesosoma, petiole and postpetiole yellowish brown (Fig. 6) => 4

He et al. (2024), Figure 2. Manica bradleyi worker. (Syntype, images cited from https://www.antweb.org/, CASENT0907664, imaged by Alexandra Westrich). A, head in full-face view. B, label. C, body in dorsal view. D, body in lateral view.
He et al. (2024), Figure 3. Manica hunteri worker. (Non-type, images cited from https://www.antweb.org/, CASENT0922741, specimen’s photos by Wade Lee, label’s photo by Michele Esposito). A, head in full-face view. B, label. C, body in dorsal view. D, body in lateral view.
He et al. (2024), Figure 4. Manica invidia worker. (Syntype, images cited from https://www.antweb.org/, CASENT0904061, imaged by Alexandra Westrich). A, head in full-face view. B, label. C, body in dorsal view. D, body in lateral view.
He et al. (2024), Figure 7. Manica shanyii worker. (Holotype, imaged by Yuqing He). A, head in full-face view. B, body in dorsal view. C, body in lateral view.
He et al. (2024), Figure 8. Manica yessensis worker. (Paratype, images cited from https://www.antweb.org/, CASENT0900372, imaged by Ryan Perry). A, head in full-face view. B, label. C, body in dorsal view. D, body in lateral view.

Dorsum of pronotum and mesonotum abundantly transversely striate (Fig. 7B) [China] => Manica shanyii
Dorsum of pronotum and mesonotum longitudinally rugose (Figs 3C, 6C, 8C) => 3

He et al. (2024), Figure 7. Manica shanyii worker. (Holotype, imaged by Yuqing He). A, head in full-face view. B, body in dorsal view. C, body in lateral view.
He et al. (2024), Figure 3. Manica hunteri worker. (Non-type, images cited from https://www.antweb.org/, CASENT0922741, specimen’s photos by Wade Lee, label’s photo by Michele Esposito). A, head in full-face view. B, label. C, body in dorsal view. D, body in lateral view.
He et al. (2024), Figure 6. Manica rubida worker. (Non-type, imaged cited from https://www.antweb.org/, CASENT0173135, specimen’s photos by April Nobile, label’s photo by Michele Esposit). A, head in full-face view. B, label. C, body in dorsal view. D, body in lateral view.
He et al. (2024), Figure 8. Manica yessensis worker. (Paratype, images cited from https://www.antweb.org/, CASENT0900372, imaged by Ryan Perry). A, head in full-face view. B, label. C, body in dorsal view. D, body in lateral view.

In lateral view, lateral face of mesosoma, petiole, and postpetiole mainly punctate, appearing dull and not shining (Fig. 4D); in lateral view, postpetiole as long as high (Fig. 4D) [Canada, United States] => Manica invidia
In lateral view, lateral face of mesosoma longitudinally striate and without punctae, petiole and postpetiole smooth and shining (Fig. 3D); in lateral view, postpetiole compressed anteroposteriorly, distinctly higher than long (Fig. 3D) [Canada, United States] => Manica hunteri

He et al. (2024), Figure 4. Manica invidia worker. (Syntype, images cited from https://www.antweb.org/, CASENT0904061, imaged by Alexandra Westrich). A, head in full-face view. B, label. C, body in dorsal view. D, body in lateral view.
He et al. (2024), Figure 3. Manica hunteri worker. (Non-type, images cited from https://www.antweb.org/, CASENT0922741, specimen’s photos by Wade Lee, label’s photo by Michele Esposito). A, head in full-face view. B, label. C, body in dorsal view. D, body in lateral view.

Head reddish brown (Fig. 6A); dorsum of pronotum only with indistinctly, finely longitudinal striation, extremely shining (Fig. 6C); in lateral view, the posterior face of postpetiole straight and steep (Fig. 6D) [Western Europe] => Manica rubida
Head black (Figs 2A, 8A); dorsum of pronotum with prominent rugae and not shining (Figs 2C, 8C); in lateral view, the posterior face of postpetiole unconspicuous (Fig. 2D) or sloping forward (Fig. 8D) => 5

He et al. (2024), Figure 6. Manica rubida worker. (Non-type, imaged cited from https://www.antweb.org/, CASENT0173135, specimen’s photos by April Nobile, label’s photo by Michele Esposit). A, head in full-face view. B, label. C, body in dorsal view. D, body in lateral view.
He et al. (2024), Figure 2. Manica bradleyi worker. (Syntype, images cited from https://www.antweb.org/, CASENT0907664, imaged by Alexandra Westrich). A, head in full-face view. B, label. C, body in dorsal view. D, body in lateral view.
He et al. (2024), Figure 8. Manica yessensis worker. (Paratype, images cited from https://www.antweb.org/, CASENT0900372, imaged by Ryan Perry). A, head in full-face view. B, label. C, body in dorsal view. D, body in lateral view.

In lateral view, anteroventral corner of postpetiole distinctly conically protuberant (Fig. 2D); dorsal face of postpetiole evenly and slightly convex (Fig. 2D); petiole and postpetiole smooth and shining (Fig. 2C, D) [United States] => Manica bradleyi
In lateral view, anteroventral corner of postpetiole distinctly angular (Fig. 8D); dorsal face of postpetiole strongly convex (Fig. 8D); petiole and lateral face of postpetiole rugose-punctate (Fig. 8C, D) [Japan] => Manica yessensis

He et al. (2024), Figure 2. Manica bradleyi worker. (Syntype, images cited from https://www.antweb.org/, CASENT0907664, imaged by Alexandra Westrich). A, head in full-face view. B, label. C, body in dorsal view. D, body in lateral view.
He et al. (2024), Figure 8. Manica yessensis worker. (Paratype, images cited from https://www.antweb.org/, CASENT0900372, imaged by Ryan Perry). A, head in full-face view. B, label. C, body in dorsal view. D, body in lateral view.