Key to Meranoplus workers of Madagascar

This worker key is based on: Boudinot, B.E. & Fisher, B.L. 2013. A taxonomic revision of the Meranoplus F. Smith of Madagascar (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmicinae) with keys to species and diagnosis of the males. Zootaxa 3635, 301-339.

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1

 * In dorsal view, posterolateral corners of promesonotal shield with spines produced beyond the posterior margin a distance greater than their width (fig. 19) . . . . . Meranoplus mayri


 * In dorsal view, posterolateral corners of promesonotal shield with denticles that never project beyond the posterior margin more than the width of their bases (fig. 20) . . . . . 2

2
return to couplet #1
 * Bicolored: head through postpetiole orange, abdominal segments IV–VII dark brown to black. Petiolar sternum with finger-shaped anterior-projecting process (fig. 21) . . . . . Meranoplus cryptomys


 * Unicolorous; if somewhat bicolored, abdominal segments IV–VII never black. Petiolar sternum without finger-shaped anterior projecting process (fig. 22) . . . . . 3

3
return to couplet #2
 * Yellow to brown; occasionally darker brown, but never black. Propodeal spine with carina extending dorsally to promesonotal shield base (fig. 23). Middle and hind tibiae with a thin subapical spur . . . . . Meranoplus radamae


 * Unicolorous chocolate brown to black. Propodeal spine without carina extending dorsally to promesonotal shield base (fig. 24). Both middle and hind tibiae without subapical spur . . . . . Meranoplus sylvarius