Megaponera

Megaponera is a monotypic genus, with an additional five subspecies, widespread in Sub-Saharan Africa. It is notable for its ergatoid queens, polymorphic workers, obligate group foraging, and specialized termite predation.

Identification
Schmidt and Shattuck (2014) - Diagnostic morphological apomorphies ofMegaponera workers include the presence of preocular carinae and size polymorphism, which do not occur in combination in any other ponerine. Preocular carinae occur in Odontoponera and many Neoponera species, butMegaponera lacks Odontoponera’s striate sculpturing and denticulate clypeus, and Neoponera’s prominent white projecting arolia, simple tarsal claws and U-shaped cuticular lip posterior to the metapleural gland orifice.

Distribution
Megaponera is widespread in tropical Sub-Saharan Africa. Wheeler (1922b) shows the range as encompassing the African continent from roughly 10° N latitude to 30° S latitude.

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



Nomenclature

 *  MEGAPONERA  [Ponerinae: Ponerini]
 * Megaponera Mayr, 1862: 734. Type-species: Formica foetens (junior primary homonym in Formica, replaced by Formica analis), by monotypy.
 * Megaponera junior synonym of Pachycondyla: Brown, in Bolton, 1994: 164.
 * Megaponera revived from synonymy: Schmidt & Shattuck, 2014: 104.
 * [ Megaloponera : incorrect subsequent spelling by Roger, 1863b: 17; repeated by several authors, for example Emery, 1877b: 368; Forel, 1917: 237.]

Schmidt and Shattuck (2014):

Worker
Large to very large (TL 9–18 mm) ants with the standard characters of Ponerini. Workers polymorphic, varying principally in size and pubescence. Mandibles triangular. Eyes large, located near head midline, with distinct preocular carinae. Frontal lobes widely separated anteriorly and appearing flattened in frontal view. Scapes flattened, with distinct anterior margins. Metanotal groove shallow. Propodeum moderately narrowed dorsally. Propodeal spiracles slit-shaped. Tarsal claws with a preapical tooth. Metatibial spur formula (1s, 1p). Petiole nodiform. Constriction between pre- and postsclerites of A4 indistinct. Stridulitrum present on pretergite of A4. Head and body finely punctate, with scattered pilosity and dense pubescence (sparse in minor workers). Color black.

Queen
Wingless, similar to a major worker but larger (TL 18.5 mm), with more extensive sculpturing, denser pilosity, a deeper metanotal groove, an anteriorly slanting squamiform petiole, and a more expansive gaster. (Adapted from Arnold, 1915.)

Male
See descriptions in Emery (1897b), Arnold (1915), and Wheeler (1922b).

Larva
Described by Wheeler & Wheeler (1952).