Papyrius

Members of this genus are found primarily in forested areas, where they nest in dead wood, either standing or on the ground. Papyrius species commonly use plant fibers to construct carton covers over nest sites and feeding areas. (Shattuck 1992)

Identification
Shattuck (1992) - Worker: Palp formula 5:3; anterior clypeal margin with 8 to 20 very short, straight setae; metanotal groove a distinct, deep trough or notch depressed below the level of the adjacent mesonotum and propodeum; mandibles with 11 to 14 teeth, about 3 denticles, the apical tooth elongate and much longer than subapical, and the basal angle weakly defined by a denticle; petiolar scale vertical and not inclined anteriorly. New Guinea and Australia. Queen: Palp formula 5:3; anterolateral clypeal margin posterior to the mediolateral region and separated from it by a shoulder; anterior clypeal margin with 0 to 4 setae; wing radial cell open. Male: Palp formula 5:3; anterior axillar suture angular medially; mandible with a single tooth (the apical); fore wing radial cell open.

Distribution
Australia and New Guinea

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



Nomenclature

 *  PAPYRIUS [Dolichoderinae: Leptomyrmecini]
 * Papyrius Shattuck, 1992a: 17. Type-species: Iridomyrmex nitida, by original designation.

Worker
HEAD. Vertex concave. Compound eyes present, approximately round; relatively anterior on head. Ocelli absent. Antennae 12 segmented. Scape short, at most surpassing the vertex by lessthan one-third its length. Anterolateral clypeal margin posterior to the mediolateral region and separated from it by a shoulder. Anteromedial clypeal margin entire, without a central notch or concavity of any type. Anterior clypeal setae 8- 20; very short, only slightly surpassing the anterior clypeal margin; straight. Posterior clypeal margin between the anterior and posterior surfaces of the antennal socket cavities. Anterior tentorial pit nearer the antennal socketthan the mandibular insertion. Frontal carina present. Anterolateral hypostoma reduced to a thin sclerite. Medial hypostoma entire. Psammophore absent. MOUTHPARTS. Palp formula 5:3. Third maxillary palp segment subequal in length to segment 4. Mandible with 11- 14 teeth and about 3 denticles. Apical tooth elongate and much longer than the subapical tooth. Basal angle weakly defined by a denticle. Basal margin smooth and without teeth or denticles. MESOSOMA. Posteroventral pronotum lateral, rounded or angled. Mesopleural process absent. Anteromedial mesosternum even with the lateral regions. Declivitous face of propodeum flat; dorsal face flat to weakly concave, subequal in length to the declivitous face. Propodeal angle distinct. Mesosomal spines and tooth absent. Erect pronotal hairs absent. Dorsal pro-meso notal junction with the mesonotum above the pronotum. Metanotal groove a distinct, deep trough or notch depressed below the level ofthe adjacent mesosomal notum. Metanotal spiracle lateral and ventral ofthe dorsal surface when viewed in lateral profile. Propodeal spiracle lateral and ventral ofthe propodeal dorsum. Hind tibial spur with well developed barbules along entire inner surface (except extreme base). PETIOLE. Scale present; rounded and forming an even arch dorsally (but narrowed dorsally); vertical and not inclined anteriorly. Venter with a well developed lobe. GASTER. First tergite vertical and not concealing the petiole in dorsal view and with a groove or indentation for the reception of the entire height ofthe petiole. Anteriortergosternal suture ofthefirst segment extending laterally from the helcium in a distinct arch which extends dorsal of the dorsal helcial surface. Fifth tergite ventral, gaster with 4 apparent tergites. Gastral compression slightly dorsoventral. Fourth sternite flat across entire posterior border. GENERAL CHARACTERS. Worker caste monomorphic. Chromosome number 8 (n=8, P. nitidus, Crozier 1968a; 2n=16, P. nitidus, Imai et al. 1977). Integument thin and flexible, weakly SCUlptured. PROVENTRICULUS. Cupola much broader than bulb; round; with short pile; smooth, without sculpture; and with narrow phragma. Bulb completely hidden by cupola in lateral view. Longitudinal muscle No.1 absent. Occlusory tract absent.

Queen
HEAD. Vertex weakly concave. Compound eyes relatively anterior on head. Antennae 12 segmented. Scape short, surpassing the vertex by less than one- half scape length. Anterolateral clypeal margin posterior to the mediolateral region and separated from it by a shoulder. Anteromedial clypeal margin entire, without a central notch or concavity of any type. Anterior clypeal setae 0-4; when present short, less than twice the maximum scape diameter; straight. Posterior clypeal margin between the anterior and posterior surfaces of the antennal socket cavities. Anterior tentorial pit nearer the antennal socket than the mandibular insertion. Anterolateral hypostoma reduced to a thin sclerite. Medial hypostoma entire. Psammophore absent. MOUTHPARTS. Palp formula 5:3. Third maxillary palp segment subequal in length to segment 4. Fifth maxillary palp segment at the apical extreme of segment 4. Mandible with about 9 teeth and about 4 denticles. Apical tooth slightly longer than the subapical tooth. Basal angle distinct, with a well developed tooth or angle separating the masticatory and basal margins. Basal margin varying from smooth (without teeth or denticles) to denticulate distally, smooth proximally. MESOSOMA. Posteroventral pronotum lateral, rounded or angled. Episternal suture weak, nearly absent. Mesopleural process absent. Anteromedial mesosternum even with the lateral regions. Axilla parallel and entire. Anterior axillar suture straight. Declivitous and dorsal faces of propodeum convex; dorsal face longer than the declivitous face. Propodeal angle indistinct. Propodeal suture absent. MesosomaJ spines and tooth absent. Erect mesoscutal hairs about 30-50; short, less than twice the maximum scape diameter. Propodeal spiracle lateral and ventral of the propodeal dorsum. Hind tibial spur with well developed barbules along entire inner surface (except extreme base). WINGS. Radial cell open. Forewing with 1 cubital and 1 discoidal cell. Shattuck - Generic Revision of the Dolichoderinae 139 Hind wing with 2 cells. PETIOLE. Scale present; rounded and forming an even arch dorsally, or weakly ridged and with an angle dorsally; vertical and not inclined anteriorly. Venter with a well developed, rounded lobe. GASTER. First segment vertical and not concealing the petiole in dorsal view and with a groove or indentation for the reception of the basal portion of the petiole. Fifth tergite ventral, gaster with 4 apparent tergites. Gastral compression absent (gaster circular in cross section). Fourth sternite flat across entire posterior border.

Male
HEAD. Inner margin of eye entire, flat. Scape length shorter than the length of funicular segments 2+3. First funicular segment barrel-shaped. Second funicular segment cylindrical, straight. Funicular segments 2 and 3 at most twice as long as broad. Third and fourth funicular segments straight. Anteromedial clypeal margin entire, without a central notch or concavity of any type. Anterior clypeal setae 2-6; short, about as long as the maximum diameter of the scape; straight. Posterior clypeal margin even with or anterior to the anterior surfaces of the antennal socket cavities. Anterior tentorial pit nearer the antennal socket than the mandibular insertion. Anterolateral hypostoma reduced to a thin sclerite. Medial hypostoma entire. MOUTHPARTS. Palp formula 5:3. Third maxillary palp segment subequal in length to segment 4. Fifth maxillary palp at the apical extreme of segment 4. Mandible with 1 tooth and no denticles, and with an enlarged ventral lobe. Apical tooth distinct. Basal angle distinct, with a well developed tooth or angle separating the masticatory and basal margins. Basal margin smooth and without teeth or denticles. MESOSOMA. Posteroventral pronotum lateral, rounded or angled. Episternal suture present, complete. Anteromedial mesosternum even with the lateral regions. Axilla parallel and entire. Anterior axillar suture angular medially. Declivitous and dorsal faces of propodeum convex; dorsal face shorter than the declivitous face. Propodeal angle distinct. WINGS. Radial cell open. Fore wing with 1 cubital and 1 discoidal cells.l?terostigmal appendage absent. Hind wing with 2 cells. PETIOLE. Scale present; ridged and with a distinct angle dorsally; vertical and not inclined anteriorly. Venter with a slight or weakly developed lobe. Attachmentto gaster broad. GASTER. First segment elongated posteriorly, smooth and without a groove or indentation. GENITALIA. Pygostyles present. Posterior margin of subgenital plate concave. Paramere divided by a membranous region. Digitus with a down-turned tip. Cuspis parallel with digitus. Ventral lobe of volsella present as weakly concave lobe. Aedeagus with ventral teeth.

Larva
Shape dolichoderoid. Protuberances absent. Body hairs sparse; simple; short. 9 spiracular pairs. Antennae short.