Plectroctena

Identification
Schmidt and Shattuck (2014) - Plectroctena can be readily identified by its linear mandibles, which have dorsal longitudinal grooves, and by the anteromedial and lateral excavations of its clypeus, all of which are autapomorphic within the Ponerinae. Plectroctena is most similar to Loboponera, Boloponera, and Promyopias, which all have expanded frontal lobes and an overall similar gestalt. Plectroctena differs from Loboponera most obviously in the shape of the mandibles (triangular in Loboponera). Boloponera and Promyopias both have linear mandibles, but they both lack the autapomorphies of Plectroctena given above, among several other differences. Plectroctena also bears some resemblance to Myopias, given their linear mandibles, but Plectroctena lacks an anteromedial projection of the clypeus and has only a single metatibial spur.

Species richness
Species richness by country based on regional taxon lists (countries with darker colours are more species-rich). View Data



Nomenclature

 *  PLECTROCTENA [Ponerinae: Ponerini]
 * Plectroctena Smith, F. 1858b: 101. Type-species: Plectroctena mandibularis, by monotypy.
 * Plectroctena senior synonym of Cacopone: Bolton, 1974c: 313.
 * CACOPONE [junior synonym of Plectroctena]
 * Cacopone Santschi, 1914d: 325. Type-species: Cacopone hastifer, by monotypy.
 * Cacopone junior synonym of Plectroctena: Bolton, 1974c: 313.

Description
Schmidt and Shattuck (2014):

Worker
Medium to very large (TL 5.6–23.5 mm; Bolton, 1974) ants with the standard characters of Ponerini. Mandibles linear, crossing each other apically when closed, edentate or with one or two teeth, and with a dorsal longitudinal groove and a basal groove. Clypeus excavated anteromedially and with a lateral excavation near each mandibular articulation. Frontal lobes greatly expanded, closely approximated, and overhanging the anterior clypeal margin. Eyes small to absent, located far anterior on the sides of the head. Mesopleuron divided by a transverse groove, the anepisternum apparently fused to the mesonotum and metapleuron. Metanotal groove usually absent, occasionally vestigial. Propodeum broad dorsally, the posterolateral margins expanded into lamellae. Propodeal dorsum rarely with a weak longitudinal groove. Propodeal spiracles round. Metapleural gland orifice opening laterally. Meso- and metafemora with a dorsal longitudinal groove. Metatibial spur formula (1p). Anteroventral articulatory surface of petiole long and broad, with a narrow median groove. Petiole nodiform. Gaster with a strong constriction between pre- and postsclerites of A4. Head and body shining, punctate, with striations on the sides of the mesosoma, minimal pilosity, and no pubescence. Color red to black.

Queen
Usually alate, but ergatoid in some species. Alate queens are similar to workers but slightly larger, with larger eyes and with ocelli. Ergatoids are similar but at most have only vestigial ocelli (Bolton, 1974; Bolton & Brown, 2002).

Male
See description in Bolton (1974); also discussed in Bolton & Brown (2002).

Larva
Described for P. mandibularis by Wheeler & Wheeler (1989).