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Key to Tetraponera ambigua group species
(Redirected from Key to tetraponera ambigua group species)
This key is based on Ward, P. S. 2006. The ant genus Tetraponera in the Afrotropical region: synopsis of species groups and revision of the T. ambigua-group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Myrmecologische Nachrichten 8:119-130. PDF
Back to Key to Afrotropical Tetraponera species-groups
NOTES:
- CSC Cepalic setal count: number of standing hairs (those forming an angle of 45º or more with cuticular sur- face) visible on posterior half of head, as seen in lat- eral and posterior views.
- EL Eye length, measured in same plane of view as HL
- MSC Mesosomal setal count: number of standing hairs vis- ible in profile (lateral view) on mesosoma dorsum
- PL Length of petiole in lateral view from lateral flanges of anterior peduncle to posterior margin of petiole
- PLI Petiole length index: PH / PL
- REL2 Relative eye length, using HW: EL / HW
1
- Smaller species (HW 0.51 - 0.71) with elongate head (CI 0.66 - 0.79); masticatory margin of mandibles with four teeth; (African mainland and Arabian Peninsula).....2
- Larger species (HW 0.80 - 0.92) with broader head (CI 0.89 - 0.92); masticatory margin of mandibles with six teeth; (Endemic to Madagascar..... Tetraponera phragmotica
2
return to couplet .....1
- Standing pilosity common on mesosoma dorsum (MSC 12 - 44); larger species (HW 0.61 - 0.71), with smaller eyes (REL2 0.54 - 0.60).....Tetraponera ambigua
- Standing pilosity virtually absent from mesosoma dorsum, except for one pair of long setae on pronotum (MSC 2 - 3); smaller species (HW 0.51 - 0.59), with disproportionately larger eyes (REL2 0.63 - 0.72).....3
3
return to couplet .....2
- Standing pilosity common on posterior half of head, conspicuous in profile (CSC 12 - 22); petiole short and robust (PLI 0.54 - 0.61, PL / HL 0.46 - 0.50)..... Tetraponera parops
- Standing pilosity sparse on posterior half of head (CSC 2 - 4); petiole usually more elongate (PLI 0.47 - 0.56; PL / HL 0.50 - 0.54).....Tetraponera ophthalmica
