Messor denticornis

Identification
Key to Afrotropical Messor species

A distinctive species amongst those with uniformly distributed pilosity on the first gastral tergite, denticornis is immediately isolated by its relatively large eyes. Only a few workers of Messor tropicorum approach even the lower end of its eye size range but in the latter species the clypeus has a conspicuous posteromedian tumulus or welt and the propodeum is shorter and higher in profile than is the case in denticornis. (Bolton 1982)

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Botswana, Namibia, South Africa.

Nomenclature

 * brunni. Messor denticornis var. brunni Forel, 1910e: 444 (w.) NAMIBIA. Junior synonym of denticornis: Bolton, 1982: 349.
 *  denticornis. Messor denticornis Forel, 1910f: 14 (w.q.m.) NAMIBIA. Senior synonym of brunni, parvidens: Bolton, 1982: 349.
 * parvidens. Messor denticornis var. parvidens Forel, 1910f: 15 (w.) NAMIBIA. Junior synonym of denticornis: Bolton, 1982: 349.

Worker
Bolton (1982) - Medium to Large, HW 2.48- > 3.10.

Anterior clypeal margin usually evenly convex medially, only rarely with the faintest trace of a central indentation. With the head in full-face view the sides more or less straight and diverging anteriorly, but sometimes the sides more nearly parallel. Occipital margin broadly but shallowly concave, this feature fading out in smaller workers where the margin is approximately transverse. In HW range 2.48-3.16 the maximum diameter of the eye is 0.56-D.70, about 0.21-0.25 x HW, and the CI range is 100-106. Propodeum in profile relatively long and low, resembling that of striatifrons. Propodeal armament very variable, the junction of dorsum and declivity being rounded, acutely angled or distinctly bidentate. These variants are commonly seen in the same series and are in fact shown by the type-series of denticornis itself. Basic sculpture of the head finely densely packed parallel longitudinal rugulae with punctulate ground-sculpture between them. Frequently the sculpture much reduced, either by suppression of the ground-sculpture so that the rugulae stand out from a smooth surface or by reduction of the rugulae in number and intensity so that the head is mostly or wholly punctulate. In smaller individuals the surface may be almost smooth. Dorsal alitrunk rugulose to rugose, the sculpture sometimes partially or totally effaced from the pronotum. First gastral tergite smooth and shining or at most with faint superficial pattering. All dorsal surfaces of head and body with numerous standing hairs. Colour mid-brown to black, sometimes with the gaster darker than the head and alitrunk.