Character States for Extant Ant Genera of the Formicidae

This table lists the character states for workers of extant genera. Modified from Bolton, 2003.

Notes on Table Use

 * Bolton, B. 2003. Synopsis and Classification of Formicidae. Mem. Am. Entomol. Inst. 71: 370pp.

Antennomere Count (AC): the total number of antennal segments. A count given as 8-10 indicates that species with 8, 9 and 10 antennal segments have all been recorded within the genus. A count given as 8,10 indicates that no species with 9 antennal segments have been recorded within the genus. A number in parenthesis following the count indicates the number of segments that constitute a club. Hences 12(3) = 12 antennomeres of which the apical three form a club. A suffixed (0) = antenna filiform, and (gi) = antenna gradually incrassate towards apex but without a distinctly differentiated club.

Palp Formula (PF): the number of segments in the maxillary palp and labial palp, always given in that order. For exampLe PF 6.4 = maxillary palp with 6 segments, labial palp with four. A count of pf 6-5,4 indicates varying fusion of palpomeres (maxillary in this case) to give a count of 6 in some, 5 in others, within a species.

Total Dental Count (TDC): the total number of teeth and denticles on the masticatory (apical) margin of the mandible. In Dolichoderinae an entry "(+)" following the TDC indicates the presence of uncounnted denticles or crenulations on the basal margin; except in Dolochoderinae this is uncommon. Elsewhere a number in parenthesis following the TDC indicates the number of teeth/denticles on the basal margin of the mandible, e.g. TDC 6 (1) = six teeth on the masticatory margin and one on the basal. No entry in parentheses means that no basal margin armament occurs. TDC 0 = fully edentate or lobate mandible where even an apical tooth or point is lacking. TDC 1 = a falcate mandible or one where only the apical tooth or point is present.

Spur Formula (SF): the number and form of the apical spur or spurs on the mesotibia and metatiba, always in that order. For example SF 1,2 = mesotibia with one spur, metatibia with two (protibia is not recorded as there is always a specialized spur present, the strigil). Form of each spur is indicated by a letter following the number: s = simple, b = barbulate, p = pectinate. Thus an entry such as SF 1s, 2(1s, 1p) means that the mesotibia has one simple spur and the metatibia has 2 spurs, the first (anterior) of which is simple, the second (posterior, main spur)pectinate. "Barbulate" is a broad grade, basically any spur that is not simple but is not broadly pectinate. SF 0 means either that a spur is entirely absent or is so reduced and hair-like that it cannot easily be distinguished from any apicotibial setae that may be present. When two spurs are present on the meso- and metatibia the anterior is smaller than the posterior, generally much smaller, and the spurs on the mesotibia are usually smaller than the corresponding metatibial spurs. In the table all castes of both sexes are understood to be monomorphic and unmodified except where otherwise stated. The table is based mainly on the BMNH collection, with additional data from other large collections (ANIC, MCZ) and from the literature. Where any data is entirely literature-based it is stated as such after the appropriate sex. The list is not exhaustive in that it does not include every caste of both sexes of every species of all genera. In a number of genera one sex remains unknown and in most genera the data for female castes is more abundant than for males.