Key to Protanilla species

The following key is based on: [[Media:Bharti, H. & Akbar, S.A. 2015. First record of genus Protanilla from India.pdf|Bharti, H. & Akbar, S.A. 2015. First record of genus Protanilla (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Leptanillinae) from India with description of a new species. Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology 18, 573–576.]]

Protanilla genus page

1

 * Mandibles surmounted by a large erect convex lamella; dorsolateral surface of mandible with a large distinct longitudinal groove running from the base to the terminal quarter of the jaw (Japan) . . . . . Protanilla izanagi


 * Mandibles elongate, narrowly triangular and downcurved; dorsolateral surface of mandible without such distinct longitudinal groove . . . . . 2

2
return to couplet #1
 * In full face view, anterior margin of clypeus strongly concave. In dorsal view, petiolar node laterally compressed and roughly elliptic, distinctly longer than broad. Body bicolor, the middle portion black, the rest brownish yellow . . . . . 3


 * In full face view, anterior margin of clypeus straight toweakly concave. In dorsal view, petiolar node anteroposteriorly compressed or square, as broad as long or broader than long. Body concolor, uniformly yellowish brown or reddish brown . . . . . 4

3
return to couplet #2


 * In full face view, anterior 1/3 of the head distinctly narrowed forward. In profile view, anterodorsal corner of petiolar node roundly prominent. Head brownish yellow. Body small with HL 0.53, HW 0.43 mm (China: Yunnan Province) . . . . . Protanilla bicolor


 * In full face view, anterior 1/2 of the head distinctly narrowed forward. In profile view, anterodorsal corner of petiolar node rounded. Head light black to blackish brown. Body large with HL 0.73, HW 0.60 mm (China: Yunnan Province) . . . . . Protanilla gengma

4
return to couplet #2
 * In dorsal view, petiolar node nearly square, as broad as long, and weakly narrowed backward. In profile view, anterior face of petiolar node vertical, postpetiolar node not inclined forward . . . . . 5


 * In dorsal view, petiolar node anteroposteriorly compressed, distinctly broader than long, and weakly widened backward. In profile view, anterior face of petiolar node steeply sloped, postpetiolar node strongly inclined forward . . . . . 6

5
return to couplet #4
 * Mandibles with 10 peg-like teeth. Anterior clypeal margin concave. Anterior face of petiole straight. Larger species (HL 0.60, HW 0.48; China: Taiwan Province) . . . . . Protanilla lini


 * Mandibleswith 20 peg-like teeth. Anterior clypeal margin straight. Anterior face of petiole concave. Smaller species (HL 0.56, HW 0.44; India) . . . . . Protanilla wardi

6
return to couplet #4
 * In full face view, vertexal margin almost straight. In dorsal view, anterior margin of gaster weakly concave (Sri Lanka) . . . . . Protanilla schoedli


 * In full face view, vertexal margin weakly concave. In dorsal view, anterior margin of gaster straight . . . . . 7

7
return to couplet #6 dorsal face very short, about 1/2 length of anterior face (China: Yunnan Province). . . . . Protanilla concolor
 * In full face view, anterior 1/2 of the head distinctly narrowed forward. In profile view, petiolar node relatively thin and roughly triangular,


 * In full face view, anterior 1/3 of the head distinctly narrowed forward. In profile view, petiolar node relatively thick and roughly trapezoidal, dorsal face long, about as long as anterior face . . . . . 8

8
return to couplet #7 straight, dorsal face weakly convex, anterodorsal corner blunt (China: Tibet). . . . . Protanilla tibeta
 * In profile view, posterodorsal corner of propodeum evenly convex. Petiolar node strongly narrowed upward, anterior face nearly


 * In profile view, posterodorsal corner of propodeum strongly convex. Petiolar node weakly narrowed upward, anterior face weakly concave, dorsal face strongly convex, anterodorsal corner roundly protruding (Singapore, Malaysia) . . . . . Protanilla rafflesi