Key to Meranoplus queens of Madagascar

This 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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 * Meranoplus
 * Key to Meranoplus workers of Madagascar

1

 * Setae on fourth abdominal tergum (ATIV) set in circular to oval punctures (fig. 25). ATIV dense-punctate (fig. 25). Larger species (WL > 1.85) . . . . . Meranoplus mayri


 * Setae on ATIV set in stellate punctures (fig. 26). ATIV not dense-punctate, but rather shining between setiferous punctures, at least in posterior half (fig. 26). Smaller species (WL < 1.70) . . . . . 2

2
return to couplet #1
 * Bicolored: head through postpetiole orange, abdominal segments IV–VII light-to-dark brown. Propodeal spines short and tri-angular (fig. 27; SLI < 14). Scapes short (SI < 63) . . . . . Meranoplus cryptomys


 * Concolorous dark or light brown to orange-brown. Propodeal spines longer and thorn-like (fig. 28; SLI > 15). Scapes long (SI > 65) . . . . . 3

3
return to couplet #3
 * Chocolate brown to black. Tibial spurs absent, excepting the protibial calacar. In lateral view, area ventrad eye with a single longitudinal costa (fig. 29); without additional carination or rugosity between the carina and the posterolateral margin of the head . . . . . Meranoplus sylvarius


 * Orange through light brown, never dark brown. Tibial spurs present. In lateral view, area ventrad eye with two or more longi-tudinal rugae (fig. 30); often with additional rugosity between the rugae and the posterolateral margin of the head . . . . . Meranoplus radamae