Key to Bothroponera pumicosa species complex

This key is based on Joma & MacKay (2015)

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 * Bothroponera
 * Bothroponera pumicosa species complex

1

 * Hairs on entire mesosoma and gaster long (up to 0.55 mm) curly, anterior medial raised area of clypeus “u” shaped without carina .....Bothroponera pumicosa
 * Hairs on entire surface relatively short (0.10 – 0.25 mm) erect moderately long, straight (not curly); anterior medial raised area of clypeus “u” or “v” shaped with or without carina .....2

2
return to couplet 1
 * Anterior border of clypeus “u” shaped, broadly rounded .....3
 * Anterior border of clypeus “v” shaped with sharp anterior medial point .....6

3
return to couplet 2
 * Anterior medial area of clypeus raised from surface (best seen in side view) to form sharp carina, which extends from between frontal lobes to anterior border of clypeus .....4
 * Anterior medial area raised but does not form sharp carina, if carina partially present, not complete as described above or not sharp .....5

4
return to couplet 3
 * Posterior border of petiolar node (seen from above) with deep medial depression; mandibles with several deep coarse grooves .....Bothroponera cariosa
 * Posterior border of petiolar node with little evidence of impression; with smooth shiny mandibles .....Bothroponera strigulosa

5
return to couplet 3
 * Body smooth, shiny, black, fourth abdominal segment smooth, shiny .....Bothroponera laevissima
 * Body strongly sculptured by dense foveolae, fourth abdominal segment foveolate .....Bothroponera berthoudi

6
return to couplet 2
 * Anterior medial area of clypeus raised to form sharp carina .....Bothroponera granosa
 * Anterior medial area raised but does not form carina.....7

7
return to couplet 6
 * Propodeal spiracle nearly horizontal; fourth abdominal segment smooth, partially glossy .....Bothroponera umgodikulula
 * Propodeal spiracle nearly vertical, usually nearly parallel with posteropropodeum; fourth abdominal segment smooth to slightly rough or sculptured .....8

8
return to couplet 7
 * Head and mesosoma with sparse punctures, moderately shiny, black .....Bothroponera aspera
 * Head and mesosoma sculptured with dense foveolae.....9

9
return to couplet 9
 * Scapes longer, extending slightly past posterior lateral corner of head (SI 78), short (0.10 up to 0.20 mm) erect golden hairs cover entire surface .....Bothroponera cavernosa
 * Scapes barely reaching posterior lateral corner of head (SI 79.59 – 81.25), short (0.10 – 0.15 mm) erect silver hairs cover entire surface .....Bothroponera montivaga