Key to Neotropical Dorylinae genera

AntWiki: The Ants --- Online

This key is translated and modified from Baccaro et al (2015)[1] with permission of the authors

This key covers all the Neotropical Dorylinae genera except the genus Amyrmex, known only from males.


1

  • One single isolated segment (petiole) between mesosoma and gaster. First gastral segment separated from the rest by a slight constriction .....2
  • Two isolated segments (petiole and postpetiole) between mesosoma and gaster. Postpetiole the same size than petiole or bigger, and always notably smaller than first gastral segment and separated from this by a well demarcated constriction .....6

2

return to couplet 1

  • Pigydium well developed and surrounded apically by a row of small spines or denticles. Tarsal claws unarmed. Propodeal spiracles located in the lower half of the lateral side of the propodeum. Monomorphic or slightly dimorphic workers, with triangular mandibles, denticulated or without teeth .....3
  • Pigydium reduced to a small sclerite "U" shaped, with four small non-conspicuous denticles. Tarsal claws with a preapical tooth-like process. Propodeal spiracles located in the upper half of the lateral side of the propodeum or just above the median line. Polimorphic, major workers with elongated and falcate mandibles, with two preapical long and spiniform teeth .... Cheliomyrmex (Neotropical species ID)
Cheliomyrmex andicola casent0249450 p 1 high.jpg

3

return to couplet 2

  • Head with a curved carina from the posterior margin of the lateral portion of clypeus up to the genae, just below the eyes ..... Cerapachys (Neotropical species ID)
Cerapachys biroi casent0055090 profile 1.jpg
  • Head without that carina .....4

4

return to couplet 3

Sphinctomyrmex schoerederi casent0178849 p 1 high.jpg
  • Gaster without constrictions between segments 2, 3 and 4 .....5

5

return to couplet 4

Cylindromyrmex brasiliensis casent0173502 profile 1.jpg
Acanthostichus laticornis casent0281970 p 1 high.jpg

6

return to couplet 1

  • Propodeal spiracles located in the lower half of the lateral side of the propodeum. First gastral segment smaller than the other gastral segments combined .....7
  • Mesopropodeal suture absent in dorsal view. Propodeal spiracles located in the upper half of the lateral side of the propodeum or just above the median line. First gastral segment as long as or longer than the other gastral segments combined .....8

7

return to couplet 6

Leptanilloides femoralis casent0106180 p 1 high.jpg
Asphinctanilloides amazona casent0006815 profile 1.jpg

8

return to couplet 6

Neivamyrmex pertii casent0281946 p 1 high.jpg
  • Tarsal claws with a conspicuous preapical tooh. Size of major workers usually more than 8 mm. .....9

9

return to couplet 8

Nomamyrmex esenbeckii casent0010790 profile 1.jpg
  • Antennal scapes slender, with its apical width less than 1/3 of its total length .....10

10

return to couplet 9

  • Posterodorsal sides of the propodeum armed with lamellae or spines. Major workers usually with exceptionally long hook shaped mandibles ..... Eciton (Neotropical species ID)
Eciton burchellii casent0003205 profile 1.jpg
  • Posterodorsal sides of the propodeum rounded, without projections. Mandibles of the major workers never hook shaped ..... Labidus (Neotropical species ID)
Labidus coecus casent0173511 profile 1.jpg

References

<References>

  1. Baccaro, F.; Feitosa, R. F.; Fernando, F.; Fernandes, I. O.; Izzo, T. J.; de Souza, J. L. P.; Solar, R. Guia para os gêneros de formigas do Brasil. Editora Inpa. Manaus, 2015. 388 pp.