Key to New Caledonian Vollenhovia Species

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This key to the Vollenhovia species of New Caledonia is a working draft and is currently unpublished.


1

  • Head essentially square, the sides weakly convex; central region of head with longitudinal carinae running from clypeus to posterior margin; clypeus with a pair of distinct carinae (bicarinate) => V. oblonga pedestris

Vollenhovia pedestris ANIC32-066467 head 63-Antwiki.jpg Vollenhovia pedestris ANIC32-066467 clypeus 80-Antwiki.jpg

  • Head distinctly elongate (longer than broad), the sides nearly straight; central region of head smooth or nearly so, lacking longitudinal carinae; clypeus projecting slightly medially but lacking distinct carinae => 2

Vollenhovia denticulata ANIC32-066444 head 63-Antwiki.jpg Vollenhovia denticulata ANIC32-066444 clypeus 100-Antwiki.jpg

2

  • Head with numerous longitudinal wavy rugae enclosing indistinct circular pits... => Vollenhovia species

Vollenhovia-New-Caledonia-MCZ001H.jpg Vollenhovia-New-Caledonia-MCZ001L.jpg


  • Head without longintudinal rugae, numerous distinct circular pits => 3

3

  • Head longer; sculpturing on side of propodeum not extending to the level of the propodeal spiracle, the area immediately below spiracle smooth; dorsal face of propodeum similar in length to posterior face => V. denticulata pale form

Vollenhovia denticulata ANIC32-066444 head 63-Antwiki.jpg Vollenhovia denticulata ANIC32-066444 side 50-Antwiki.jpg

  • Head shorter; sculpturing on side of propodeum extending to the level of the propodeal spiracle, the area immediately below spiracle punctate; dorsal face of propodeum longer than the posterior face => V. denticulata dark form

Vollenhovia denticulata dark-form ANIC32-066458 head 80-Antwiki.jpg Vollenhovia denticulata dark-form ANIC32-066458 side 50-Antwiki.jpg


Note: Emery's original concept of V. denticulata included both colour forms as variants of a single species. It now appears that more than one species is involved. To secure the name denticulata to one of these forms a lectotype will need to be designated, leaving the other form free to be named as a new species.