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Key to Metalasius and Lasius of the subgenus Cautolasius of Greece
This key to workers is from Borowiec and Salata 2022. Each terminal couplet is followed by comparative remarks that are specific to the Greek ant fauna.
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1
- Eyes small but well visible. Frontal face of head with erected setae. Hypostoma with carina along lateral margin. Larger species, HW 0.603-0.952 . . . . . #2
- Eyes rudimental. Frontal face of head lacking erected setae. Hypostoma lacking carina along lateral margins. Smaller, HW 0.500-0.524 . . . . . Metalasius myrmidon
Unique morphological characters and recent molecular studies transferred this ant to the newly established genus Metalasius (Boudinot et al. 2021). As the revision of Lasius was published recently, we could not fully implement proposed changes in our monograph and Metalasius myrmidon is listed here with Lasius. Metalasius differs from Lasius in eyes situated in anterior half of head as measured in full-face view (eyes situated in posterior half of head in Lasius), reduced metapleural gland orifice with opening directed posteriorly (metapleural gland orifice small to very large and opening laterally as well as posteriorly in Lasius), propodeal spiracle situated in lower half of propodeum in profile view (propodeal spiracle situated at or above midheight of propodeum in Lasius), antennomere III broader than long (usually longer than broad in Lasius), and hypostoma lacking carina along lateral margin (carina present in Lasius).
2
return to couplet #1
- Eyes very small, head length at least 7.5 times longer than the maximum diameter of eye. Thermophilous species, prefers warm and sunny habitats . . . . . Lasius myops
Small but well visible eyes and frontal face of head with erected setae place this species only close to Lasius flavus which differs from L. myops in larger body size and larger eyes (HL only 6.0-7.2 times bigger than the maximum diameter of eye while in L. myops HL is at least 7.5 times bigger than the maximum diameter of eye). In Greece, both species are separated ecologically: L. myops is more thermophilous and prefers luminous and warm oak forests and occasionally pine forests from 300 to 800 m a.s.l. while L. flavus prefers shadowy and wet habitats, in the mountains occurs up to 1720 m.
- Eyes larger, head length 6.0-7.2 times longer than the maximum diameter of eye. Mesophilous species, prefers shady habitats . . . . . Lasius flavus
Eyes small but well visible and frontal face of head with erected setae place this species only close to Lasius myops which differs from L. flavus in smaller body size and smaller eyes (HL at least 7.5 times bigger than the maximum diameter of eye while in L. flavus head length is only 6.0-7.2 times bigger than the maximum diameter of eye). In Greece, both species are separated ecologically: L. flavus prefers shadowy, wet habitats, and occupies localities placed up to 1720 m a. s. l. while L. myops is more thermophilous and prefers luminous and warm oak forests and occasionally pine forests laced between 300-800 m a.s.l.