Key to Tapinoma lugubre species group

Key to Tapinoma lugubre species group workers, modified by Shakur et al. (2024), from Bharti et al. (2013).

1

• Anteromedial clypeal margin with a wide shallow medial concavity => Tapinoma lugubre
• Anteromedial clypeal margin more deeply concave => 2

2

return to couplet #1

• Head relatively wide and short (CI 0.82). Scape relatively short, surpassing the posterior margin of head about 1/4 of its length (SI 0.88) => Tapinoma wilsoni (Arabian Peninsula)
• Head narrower and longer (CI < 0.8). Scape very long, surpassing the posterior margin of head more than 1/3 of its length (SI > 1) => 3

3

return to couplet #2

• Dorsal surface of propodeum is flat and in line with mesonotum. Scapes lighter in color than head. Scapes relatively smaller: Scape index < 1.2. Propodeal declivity index is ≤ 0.4. Body brownish yellow, concolorous with gaster => Tapinoma himalaicum (Western Himalaya, India)
• Dorsal surface of propodeum is convex and rises above the mesonotum. Scapes concolorous with head. Scapes relatively longer: Scape index > 1.3. Propodeal declivity index is > 0.5. Body darker brown, gaster darker (blackish) => Tapinoma onaele (Western Ghats, India)

References

• Bharti, H., Kumar, R. & Dubovikoff, D.A. 2013. A new species of the genus Tapinoma Foerster, 1850 (Hymenoptera Formicidae) from India. Caucasian Entomological Bulletin 9, 303-304.
• Shakur, M.A., Mangaly, P., Baidya, P., Bagchi, S. 2024. A new species of the genus Tapinoma Foerster, 1850 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from the Western Ghats, India. Asian Myrmecology 17, e017005 (doi:10.20362/AM.017005).