Key to Afrotropical Temnothorax workers

This key to the workers of Afrotropical Temnothorax is based on Prebus (2015).

1

 * Compound eyes moderate in size: OI < 30. Head square CI > 8 => Temnothorax solidinodus


 * Compound eyes large: OI > 30. Head elongate CI 2

2

 * In full-face view antennal scapes short, distinctly failing to reach posterior margin of head (Fig. 2a); SI < 80. In dorsal view postpetiole trapezoidal, widestvat the anterior 1/4 of the segment (Fig. 2c) => 3
 * In full face view antennal scapes long, surpassing posterior margin of head by at least the length of the first funicular segment (Fig. 2b); SI > 80. In dorsal view, postpetiole widest at the anterior 1/3 of the segment (Fig. 2d) => 4

3

 * Metanotal groove present (Fig. 3a); posterior margin of head shallowly but distinctly impressed (Fig. 3c) => Temnothorax megalops


 * Metanotal groove absent (Fig. 3b), barely visible as an indistinct break in the sculpture dorsally in some specimens; posterior margin of head flat (Fig. 3d) => Temnothorax mpala

4

 * Propodeal spines short: PSLI < 23 (Fig. 4a) => Temnothorax brevidentis


 * Propodeal spines moderately long and acute: PSLI > 23 (Fig. 4b) => 5

5

 * Antennal scapes long; surpassing the posterior margin of the head by the length of the first two funicular segments when fully retracted: SI 94–97 (Fig. 4c) => Temnothorax rufus


 * Antennal scapes shorter; surpassing the posterior margin of the head by the length of the first funicular segment when fully retracted: SI 84 (Fig. 4d) => Temnothorax cenatus