Key to Ectatomminae Genera

This key to the genera of the subfamily Ectatomminae is based on Camacho et al. (2022).

1

 * Cephalic median longitudinal carina present, extending from the anterior clypeal margin to the vertex (Fig. 4A). Metapleural gland orifice simple, directed posteriorly or laterally (tribe Heteroponerini)
 * Cephalic median longitudinal carina absent or not extending from the anterior clypeal margin to the vertex (Fig. 4B, C). Metapleural gland orifice forming an oblique curved slit bounded below by a convex rim of cuticule that directs the orifice dorsally to posterodorsally (tribe Ectatommini)

2

 * Median portion of clypeus modified, raised as a short, blunt triangular point projecting from the antennal insertions to the mandible. Antennal scrobe wide and very deep (exclusively Paleartic) (known only by queens) Aulacopone
 * Median portion of clypeus not raised, not or only to a small extent covering the mandible. Antennal scrobe deep to absent

3

 * Tarsal claws with a prominent basal lobe and a long preapical tooth. Propodeum armed with prominent spines (exclusively Neotropical) Acanthoponera
 * Tarsal claws simple, without a prominent basal lobe or preapical tooth. Propodeum generally angled or with small rhomboidal teeth at most

4

 * In frontal view, mandible subfalcate, with around four teeth on the masticatory margin. Antennal scrobe absent. Eye drastically reduced, without conspicuous limits between ommatidia (exclusively Neotropical) Bazboltonia
 * In frontal view, mandible subtriangular, with six to eight teeth on the masticatory margin. Antennal scrobe shallowly to deeply impressed. Eye well-developed, with clear limits between ommatidia (Neotropical and Australian) Heteroponera

5

 * Pronotum usually with 2 or 3 tubercles. Mesonotum prominent and clearly differentiated from propodeum, separated by a deep transverse suture (Fig. 5A). Apex of anterior tibia in outer lateral view with a seta close to the spur base (exclusively Neotropical) Ectatomma
 * Pronotum unarmed and without tubercles. Mesonotum not prominent, forming a continuous profile with the propodeum (Fig. 5B). Apex of anterior tibia in outer lateral view without a seta close to the spur base; if seta present, then species distribution is exclusively Australasian

6

 * In dorsal view, pronotum and mesonotum always separated by a distinct suture, so that each tergite forms a separate plate (Fig. 6A). Dorsum of posterior coxa never with a lobe or spine. Petiolar sternite tightly attached but never fused to the tergite (exclusively Australasian) Rhytidoponera
 * In dorsal view, pronotum and mesonotum usually continuous or separated by a discrete groove (Fig. 6B); if a well-impressed promesonotal suture is present (as in Holcoponera and Typhlomyrmex), then the dorsum of posterior coxa frequently with a lobe or spine. Petiolar sternite fused with tergite over its entire length

7

 * Frontal lobes strongly expanded, entirely covering the antennal insertions (Fig. 7A). Second gastral (IV abdominal) sternite strongly reduced in relation to the tergite; dorsal profile of gaster extremely convex, so that the gaster is usually strongly directed ventrally and anterad (Fig. 8A). Exclusively Neotropical. Alfaria
 * Frontal lobes less developed, only partially covering the antennal insertions (Fig. 7B). Second gastral (IV abdominal) sternite not strongly reduced in relation to the tergite; dorsal profile of gaster gently convex, so that the apex of gaster is directed ventrally or posteriorly (Fig. 8B).

8

 * Promesonotal suture feebly impressed to absent, never interrupting dorsal mesosomal sculpture (Fig. 9A, B)
 * Promesonotal suture well marked, totally interrupting dorsal mesosomal sculpture (Fig. 9C)

9

 * Strictly Indomalayan species Stictoponera
 * Strictly Neotropical species

10

 * Propodeum rarely armed with denticles or spines. Metacoxal teeth present or absent. Second gastric segment (IV abdominal) relatively less curved (Fig. 10A) Gnamptogenys
 * Propodeum usually armed with denticles or spines. Metacoxal teeth generally present. Second gastric segment (IV abdominal) relatively more curved (Fig. 10B) Poneracantha

11

 * Eye absent or reduced. Propodeal spiracle separated from posterior face of propodeum by a distance longer than its diameter (Fig. 11A). Metacoxal dorsum unarmed or at most with a small lobe or denticle Typhlomyrmex
 * Eye well developed to reduced. Propodeal spiracle close to posterior face of propodeum (Fig. 11B). Metacoxal dorsum always with a denticle or lobe Holcoponera