Tyrannomyrmex

In 2003, Fernández described a new genus and species, Tyrannomyrmex rex from peninsular Malaysia based on a single specimen collected from leaf litter at Negri Sembilan, Pasoh Forest Reserve in 1994 (Fernández, 2003). Since then, a second species, Tyrannomyrmex dux has been described based on a single specimen collected from leaf litter in southern India in 1999 (Borowiec, 2007). A third species, Tyrannomyrmex legatus was recently collected from leaf litter in Sri Lanka (Alpert, 2011). In addition, Brian Heterick recognized a single male collected from a light trap in the Philippines in 1965 as possibly representing an unknown male of Tyrannomyrmex.

Identification
The following morphological characters for the genus are summarized below:


 * Mandibles with two teeth in the masticatory border, apical and smaller subapical. No teeth onin the basal margin of the mandible.
 * Inner ventral margin of masticatory border of mandibles with setae. Setae can be normal or modified.
 * Clypeus devoid of carinae.   Foveolae may be present.
 * Palpal formula 2, 2.   Confirmed.
 * Compound eyes small, reduced to a few ommatidia.
 * Antennae 11-segmented with an ill-defined 3-segmented club.
 * Frontal carinae and antennal scrobes absent.
 * Mesosoma without grooves.
 * Propodeal lobes large and round.
 * Sting large and robust.

Distribution
Known from Malaysia, India and Sri Lanka.

Key to Species
KEY TO WORKERS OF TYRANNOMYRMEX

1.	Erect hairs on mesosomal dorsum very short, confined to anterior of pronotum, foveolae small and sparse, individual foveolae widely separated. Peninsular Malaysia … Tyrannomyrmex rex

-	Dorsum of mesosoma with numerous long erect hairs scattered over the entire surface, foveolae large and dense, individual foveolae approximate to each other  ...2

2.	In lateral view, peduncle of petiole clearly differentiated, extending gradually into the anterior slope of the node. Anterovental projection of petiole absent. India ... Tyrannomyrmex dux

-	In lateral view, peduncle of petiole not clearly differentiated, with an abrupt anterior slope of the node. Anteroventral projection of petiole present. Sri Lanka ... Tyrannomyrmex legatus

Biology
Workers are found in leaf litter. Other than locality information, the biology of these rare ants is unknown.

Nomenclature

 *  TYRANNOMYRMEX [incertae sedis in Myrmicinae]
 * Tyrannomyrmex Fernández, 2003a: 2. Type-species: Tyrannomyrmex rex, by original designation.

Additional References

 * Bolton, B. (2003) Synopsis and Classification of Formicidae. Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute, 71, 370 pp.


 * Borowiec, M. (2007) A new species of Tyrannomyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmicinae) from India.   Zootaxa, 1642: 65-68.


 * Fernández, F. (2003) A new myrmicine ant genus from Malaysia with uncertain affinities (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa, 341: 1–6.


 * Alpert, G.D. (2011) A new species of Tyrannomyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Sri Lanka. Zootaxa,