Key to Prolasius of the southwestern Australian Botanical Province

This worker key is based on: Heterick, B. E. 2009a. A guide to the ants of South-western Australia. Records of the Western Australian Museum, Supplement 76: 1-206. Part 2.

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• Australia
• SWBP
• Prolasius

1

• Pale, usually depigmented light yellow to orange species . . . . . 2

• Darker, brown to black species . . . . . 5

2

return to couplet #1

• Pronotum with one pair of erect, bristly setae; dorsum of mesosoma pale yellow, sides of mesosoma distinctly darker . . . . . Prolasius hemiflavus

• Pronotum with two pairs of erect, bristly setae (additional setae may be present); mesosoma not bicoloured . . . . . 3

3

return to couplet #2

• Mesonotum with one erect, bristly seta at most; erect and semi-erect setae on antennal scape not conspicuous; propodeum smoothly rounded (Figure 404) . . . . . Prolasius sp. JDM 551

Figure 404.

• Mesonotum with two pairs of erect, bristly setae; erect and semi-erect setae on antennal scape conspicuous; propodeum with distinct dorsal and declivitous surfaces, often separated by a small, transverse carina (Figure 405) . . . . . 4

Figure 405.

4

return to couplet #3

• Seen from behind, propodeal dorsum laterally compressed, separated from declivitous face by a small, transverse carina (Figure 406) . . . . . Prolasius sp. JDM 109

Figure 406.

• Seen from behind, propodeal dorsum not laterally compressed, transverse carina absent (Figure 407) . . . . . Prolasius sp. JDM 1044

Figure 407.

5

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• Mesosoma with 15 ≥ erect setae . . . . . Prolasius antennatus

• Mesosoma with 10 ≤ erect setae . . . . . 6

6

return to couplet #5

• Appressed setae very short, pubescence absent; mesosoma smooth and shining . . . . . Prolasius sp. JDM 957

• Appressed setae longer and dense, forming distinct pubescence; mostly duller in appearance with microsculpture present . . . . . 7

7

return to couplet #6

• Mesosoma smooth and shining; erect setae on mesosoma (one pair on pronotum) and gaster fine and pale . . . . . Prolasius sp. JDM 1120

• Mesosoma duller with fine microsculpture; erect setae on mesosoma and gaster stout and dark . . . . . Prolasius wheeleri