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Solenopsis brevicornis species complex
The following is based on: Pacheco, J.A. & Mackay, W.P. 2013. The systematics and biology of the New World thief ants of the genus Solenopsis (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Edwin Mellen Press, Lewiston, New York. 501 pp. PDF
Solenopsis brevicornis Species Complex
This is a group of New World thief ants in the genus Solenopsis.
Diagnosis - Workers of this group can be recognized by the short antennal scape and the thickened petiole (as seen in profile, less thickened in S. brevicornis). The minor segments of the funiculus are very short (up to about 0.7 mm). The head is nearly quadrate (slightly elongated), the eyes relatively large, with at least two ommatidia. The dypeus is flattened and the extralateral teeth are not developed. The notopropodeal suture usually deeply depressed (S. azteca with a shallow metanotal suture).
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Key to workers of the brevicornis species complex
1
- Mesopleuron completely smooth and glossy (if sculpture present, roughened region near lower, anterior border); clypeus completely flat, lateral teeth poorly developed; Central and South America, common in Caribbean region . . . . . Solenopsis azteca
- Mesopleuron mostly punctate (at least lower half); clypeal teeth angulate (occasionally extend past anterior clypeal margin); Mexico to South America, less common in Caribbean . . . . . 2
2
return to couplet #1
- Concolorous yellow to dark brown (normally dark colored); side of petiole heavily punctate, node slightly angulate; common; Mexico to Brazil (unknown from Caribbean) . . . . . Solenopsis brevicornis
- Dark mahogany brown with yellowish appendages (concolorous with mesosoma, medium brown in specimens from Caribbean); side of petiole mostly smooth and glossy, node rounded at apex; not as widespread (although common in Costa Rica and Panama) . . . . . Solenopsis terricola
Clave para las obreras del complejo brevicornis
1E
- Mesopleuron totalmente liso y brillante (posiblemente region cerca del borde mas baja y anterior aspera); clip eo complemente plano; dientes laterales poco desarrollados; Centro America y Norte de Suramerica, region del Caribe . . . . . Solenopsis azteca
- Mayona de mesopleuron punteado (por 10 menos en la mitad inferior); dientes laterales angulados (a veces se extienden mas alIa que margen anterior del clipeo; Mexico a Suramerica, no comim en Caribe . . . . . 2E
2E
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- Amarillo a marron, con patas del mismo color (normalmente cafe); lado del peciolo generalmente algo esculpido, nodo levemente angulado; comunes, Mexico a Brasil, no ha sido reportado en Caribe . . . . . Solenopsis brevicornis
- Marron de caoba oscuro, con patas amarillentas (concolorosos con patas cafe mediano en ejemplares del Caribe); lado del peciolo sobre todo liso y brillante, apice redondeado; infrecuentes, pero comunes en Costa Rica y Panama . . . . . Solenopsis terricola