Key to Afrotropical Pristomyrmex

This worker key is based on: Wang, M. 2003. A Monographic Revision of the Ant Genus Pristomyrmex (Hymenoptera:Formicidae). Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology 157(6): 383-54

1

 * Pronotum unarmed. Eyes larger, usually containing seven or more (very rarely six) ommatidia in the longest row. Dorsal surfaces of head and alitrunk with well developed rugoreticulum or many foveolate punctures (punctatus group) (South Africa) . . . . . Pristomyrmex fossulatus


 * Pronotum usually with a pair of teeth or spines; if (very rarely) pronotal teeth or spines absent, then either eyes smaller, with two to five ommatidia in the longest row, or dorsal surfaces of alitrunk and head between frontal carinae unsculptured and smooth . . . . . 2

2
return to couplet #1


 * Sides of postpetiole with several coarse longitudinal rugae. In profile view, the posterodorsal and posteroventral corners of the petiole node right-angled. Palp formula 4,3 (cribrarius group; Mozambique, South Africa) . . . . . Pristomyrmex cribrarius


 * Sides of postpetiole unsculptured or at most with a single longitudinal ruga. In profile view, the posterodorsal and posteroventral corners of the petiole node not right-angled. Palp formula 1,3 or 2,2 or 2,3 (quadridens group; Asia, Australia, Africa) . . . . . 3

3
return to couplet #2


 * Area of dorsal head between frontal carinae unsculptured and smooth. Dorsum of alitrunk without foveolate punctures . . . . . 4


 * Dorsal surfaces of both alitrunk and head between frontal carinae with some scattered foveolate punctures (Africa: Ghana, Cameroon, Gabon, Angola, Kenya, Zaire, Sudan) . . . . . Pristomyrmex africanus

4
return to couplet #3


 * Pronotum tuberculate, lacking teeth or spines (Africa: Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, Congo and Angola) . . . . . Pristomyrmex orbiceps


 * Pronotum armed with a pair of teeth or spines (Africa: Zaire) . . . . . Pristomyrmex trogor