Key to Oxyepoecus of Paraguay

This worker key is based on: Delsinne, T.D., Mackay, W., Wild, A., Rosin, Y. & Leponce, M. 2011. Distribution and diversity of the cryptic ant genus Oxyepoecus in Paraguay, with descriptions of two new species. Psyche 2012: 8 pp. Article ID 594302. doi:10.1155/2012/594302

1

• Cephalic dorsum entirely sculptured . . . . . 2

• Cephalic dorsum completely smooth or with at least a smooth median frontal stripe . . . . . 4

2

return to couplet #1

• Mesopleuron and lateropropodeum covered by longitudinal costae . . . . . 3

• Mesopleuron and lateropropodeum irregularly reticulate and punctuate . . . . . Oxyepoecus reticulatus

Head of Oxyepoecus reticulatus worker

Profile of Oxyepoecus reticulatus worker

3

return to couplet #2

• Cephalic dorsum with dense costulae, subpostpetiolar process shaped as transverse crest, triangular in side view, not bidentate . . . . . Oxyepoecus rastratus

Head of Oxyepoecus rastratus worker

Profile of Oxyepoecus rastratus worker

• Cephalic dorsum with reticulated costulae, subpostpetiolar process prominent and bidentate . . . . . Oxyepoecus bidentatus

Head of Oxyepoecus bidentatus worker

Profile of Oxyepoecus bidentatus worker

4

return to couplet #1

• Eyes large, with more than 40 ommatidia in total . . . . . Oxyepoecus inquilinus

Head of Oxyepoecus inquilinus worker

Profile of Oxyepoecus inquilinus worker

• Eyes small, with about 20 ommatidia in total . . . . . 5

5

return to couplet #4

• Subpostpetiolar process prominent and bidentate with anteriormost processmuch larger than posterior tooth . . . . . Oxyepoecus bruchi

Head of Oxyepoecus bruchi worker

Profile of Oxyepoecus bruchi worker

• Subpostpetiolar process with two subparallel crests of approximately equal size . . . . . 6

6

return to couplet #5

• Promesonotum nearly entirely smooth and glossy . . . . . Oxyepoecus vezenyii

Head of Oxyepoecus vezenyii worker

Profile of Oxyepoecus vezenyii worker

• Promesonotum covered with longitudinal striae . . . . . Oxyepoecus striatus

Head of Oxyepoecus striatus worker

Profile of Oxyepoecus striatus worker