Key to Stictoponera of India
Identification key to the known Indian species of Stictoponera based on workers (modified from Dhadwal & Bharti (2023).
1
- Fourth abdominal tergite (II gastral tergite) with abundant costae, striae and strigulae (Fig: A) => Stictoponera coxalis
- Fourth abdominal tergite (II gastral tergite) mostly smooth and with scattered punctate (Fig: B) => 2
2
return to couplet #1
- Fourth abdominal sternite (II gastral sternite) mostly smooth, scattered punctae or punctulae may be present but do not form ridges or strigulae => Stictoponera binghamii (in part)
- Fourth abdominal sternite (II gastral sternite) with transverse rugae or rugulae on most of surface => 3
3
return to couplet #2
- Occipital lobes posteroventrally protuberant; eyes separated from posterior cephalic margin, excluding lobes, by one ED or less (Fig: A) => 4
- Occipital lobes modest, usually more ventrally protuberant; eyes separated from posterior cephalic margin by more than one ED (Fig: B) => 6
4
return to couplet #4
- Mesosoma with abundant, scattered standing hairs in lateral view; metacoxal spine usually straight and slender (Fig: B) => Stictoponera bicolor
- Mesosoma without standing hairs in lateral view, one or two at most; metacoxal spine robust and curved (Fig: A) => 5
5
return to couplet #5
- Body mostly foveolate; Subpetiolar process polygonal ventrally produced into denticle (Fig: A) => Stictoponera lattkei
- Pronotum and mesonotum areolate, foveate-reticulate and mesosomal dorsum has a smooth median strip; Subpetiolar process subquadrate or lobe like (Fig: B) => Stictoponera menadensis
6
return to couplet #4
- Antennal scapes are devoid of longitudinal strigae, and the occipital lobes are absent. (Fig: A) => Stictoponera meghalaya
- Antennal scapes frequently include strigae; occipital lobes are small but distinct (Fig: B) => Stictoponera binghamii (in part)