Key to Myrmoteras of the Indo-Chinese peninsula

This worker key is based on: [[Media:Bui, Eguchi & Yamane 2013.pdf| Bui, T. V.; Eguchi, K.; Yamane, S. 2013. Revision of the ant genus Myrmoteras of the Indo-Chiese Peninsula (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Formicinae). Zootaxa 3666:544-558. PDF]]

It includes species from Vietnam, Myanmar and Thailand.

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Myrmoteras

Note: Surface sculpture and pilosity of the dorsa of the head and pronotum looks very differently depending on the condition of specimens. In some specimens the surface looks somewhat shiny but in others from the same colony it can look completely mat. The pubescence (minute appressed hairs) on the pronotal dorsum and gastral tergites is often abraded away to some extent, particularly in the mediodorsal area of the second tergite; more hairs may remain in the lateral area of the tergite. It is highly recommended to observe multiple specimens from the same colony. Mandibular teeth are counted from the apex of the mandible and exclude denticles between the teeth; the first (apical) to fourth teeth are generally distinctly longer than the subsequent teeth, although counts of the teeth are somewhat arbitrary.

1

 * Median portion of anterior margin of labrum transverse, without a pair of long trigger hairs. Apical part of mandible not bent; with mandible seen in profile first (apical) and second (penultimate) teeth located on the same plane; a relatively large denticle present between second and third teeth and between third and fourth teeth . . . . . Myrmoteras cuneonodum


 * Median portion of anterior margin of labrum more or less triangular, bearing a pair of long trigger hairs. Apical part of mandible bent ventrally; with mandible seen in profile first (apical) and second (penultimate) teeth located on different planes; small denticle absent between second and third teeth and between third and fourth teeth (denticle seen only in abnormal individuals) . . . . . 2

2
return to couplet #1
 * Third tooth of mandible much shorter than second and fourth teeth, looking like a large denticle. Dorsum of mesonotum transversely and finely striate. Smaller species with head width 0.88–0.94 mm . . . . . Myrmoteras jaitrongi


 * Third tooth of mandible much shorter than second tooth, but as long as or longer than fourth tooth. Dorsum of mesonotum variously sculptured, with longitudinal rugae or irregular sculpture, or rarely transversely striate. Larger species with head width more than 1 mm . . . . . 3

3
return to couplet #2
 * Second gastral tergite with abundant appressed short pubescence; distance between hairs generally shorter than hairs; pubescence on pronotal dorsum also denser . . . . . 4


 * Second gastral tergite without pubescence or with much sparser appressed short pubescence; distance between hairs on average much longer than hairs; pubescence on pronotal dorsum much sparser . . . . . 5

4
return to couplet #3
 * Almost entire dorsum of head densely and distinctly sculptured; pronotal dorsum punctate. Coxae, femora and tibiae brown to reddish brown; legs of same colour as mesosoma . . . . . Myrmoteras tomimasai


 * Posterior 1/3 of head dorsum nearly smooth, with more superficial sculpture than in anterior 2/3, or dorsum of head extensively weakly sculptured; pronotal dorsum nearly smooth and shiny. Mid- and hind coxae creamy to yellowish; legs yellowish, much paler than mesosoma . . . . . Myrmoteras binghamii

5
return to couplet #3
 * Median portion of clypeus and area just above clypeus nearly smooth and shiny; sculpture if any superficial. Mandible clear yellow; petiole tinged with yellow. Frontal sulcus confined to median portion of head, not reaching median ocellus . . . . . Myrmoteras namphuong


 * Clypeus and lower frons distinctly and densely sculptured. Mandible yellowish to dark brown; petiole not tinged with yellow. Frontal sulcus very weakly developed, or distinct and usually reaching median ocellus . . . . . 6

6
return to couplet #5
 * Body and legs brown to dark brown; mandible, antenna and legs paler; femora of all legs of almost same colour as tibiae. Gastral tergite 2 almost without pubescence (rarely with very sparse pubescence). Frontal sulcus distinct, usually reaching median ocellus . . . . . Myrmoteras concolor


 * Body brown, slightly with reddish tinge; mid- and hind coxae and femora whitish yellow; fore coxa and femur yellowish; femora of all legs distinctly paler than tibiae. Gastral tergite 2 with sparse pubescence (often abraded away). Frontal sulcus usually very weak . . . . . Myrmoteras opalinum