Key to Thaumatomyrmex

This worker key is based on: Kempf, W. W. 1975. A revision of the Neotropical ponerine ant genus Thaumatomyrmex Mayr (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Studia Entomologica. 18:95-126.

1

Integument of body, including the gular face of head, finely and sharply shagreened with silky sheen; center of clypeus with a pair of close-set setae spreading in a V-shaped fashion . . . . . 2

Integument of body either completely polished and shining, or dorsum of head with striae and dense rugulae, and thorax smooth and polished between coarse punctures; gular surface of head always smooth and shining; center of clypeus lacking a pair of close-set setae . . . . . 3

2

return to couplet #1

Head scarcely broader than long, cephalic index less than 110; mandible length scarcely or not at all exceeding head width in front of eyes, the tips of the former not noticeably surpassing the genae when mandibles are closed; hind femora as long as, or longer than, the mandibles . . . . . Thaumatomyrmex mutilatus

Head distinctly broader than long, cephalic index over 110; mandible length conspicuously surpassing head width in front of eyes, the tips of the former noticeably surpassing the genae when mandibles are closed; hind femora shorter than mandibles . . . . . Thaumatomyrmex contumax

3

return to couplet #1

Integument of body partly sculptured: clypeus finely longitudinally striate, interspaces on frons above eye level and between eyes and median line striato-rugose; thorax and gaster with coarser punctures; basal and declivous face of propodeum forming a distinct angle when seen in profile, with three erect setae on lateral border of declivous face . . . . . . Thaumatomyrmex cochlearis

Integument of body completely smooth and highly polished lacking any kind of sculpture; basal face of propodeum grading into declivous face by a more or less even curvature when seen in profile, lateral border of declivous face with two erect setae only . . . . . 4

4

return to couplet #3

Mandibles shorter than head width, when closed their tips do not conspicuously surpass the genae; hind femora as long as, or longer than, mandible length . . . . . 5

Mandibles longer than head width, when closed their tips noticeably surpass the genae; hind femora always shorter than mandible length . . . . . 6

5

return to couplet #4

Metanotal groove and suture absent; sides of propodeal declivity practically ecarinate; base of proximal mandibular spine not noticeably dilated and lacking a basal tooth . . . . . Thaumatomyrmex paludis

Metanotal groove and suture present; inferior half of sides of propodeal declivity sharply carinate; base of proximal mandibular spine dilated and with a small tooth . . . . . Thaumatomyrmex zeteki

6

return to couplet #4

Head capsule less strikingly dilated in front, cephalic index not over 110; hind femur length subequal to head width (hind femur index over 95) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . s p . ( Brit. Honduras)

Head capsule strikingly dilated in front and receding behind eyes, cephalic index over 115; hind femora distinctly shorter than head width (hind femur index tinder 90) . . . . . 7

7

return to couplet #6

Interfrontal width much greater than pronotal width; antennal scape nearly as long as head length (scape index 95); petiole in profile broadly rounded above . . . . . Thaumatomyrmex manni

Interfrontal width subequal to pronotal width ; antennal scape distinctly shorter than head length, scape index below 90; petiole in profile more narrowly rounded at apex . . . . . 8

8

return to couplet #7

Mandibles with the base of proximal spine not unusually dilated, lacking a basal tooth; no semicircular rugulae around antennal socket between frontal carinae and eyes . . . . . Thaumatomyrmex ferox

Mandibles with the base of proximal spine noticeably dilated, with a prominent basal tooth; semicircular rugulae around antennal socket between frontal carinae and eyes present . . . . . Thaumatomyrmex atrox