Key to Afrotropical Platythyrea workers

Key based on Brown (1975)

NOTE: This key covers all the Afrotropical especies except Platythyrea matopoensis known only from sexuals and Platythyrea viehmeyeri

1

 * Opening of propodeal spiracle round or oval . . . . . 2
 * Opening of propodeal spiracle elongate, slit shaped. . . . . 8

2
return to couplet #1
 * Size large, trunk length (WL)>3.8 mm ..... Platythyrea cribrinodis
 * Size smaller, WL<3.8 mm . . . . . 3

3
return to couplet #2
 * Posterior margin of petiolar node completely unarmed; mandibles with masticatory borders toothless, cultrate; head width (eyes omitted) < 0.9 mm ..... Platythyrea cooperi
 * Posterior margin of petiolar node armed with 2 or 3 blunt teeth or angles; mandibles finely but distinctly toothed or crenulate; head width (eyes omitted) usually 0.9 mm or more . . . . . 4

4
return to couplet #3
 * Head width (eyes omitted) < 1.0 mm; in full-face view, scapes fail to reach posterior margin of head ..... Platythyrea tenuis
 * Head width (eyes omitted) >1.0 mm; in full-face view, scapes overreach posterior margin of head at least slightly when held straight back from insertions . . . . . 5

5
return to couplet #4
 * Second segment of antennal funiculus about twice as long as third, and much longer than eye ..... Platythyrea occidentalis
 * Second segment of antennal funiculus about the same length as third, and much shorter than eye . . . . . 6

6
return to couplet #5
 * Posterodorsal extremity of petiolar node between lateral teeth rounding downward into posterior face, or at least without a sharp projecting margin; mandible near base with a strong dorsolateral groove . . . . . 7


 * Posterodorsal extremity of petiolar node with a sharply projecting margin that include the 2 lateral teeth or angles and a low median tooth or lobe that overhangs the concave posterior face; mandible without dorsolateral groove ..... Platythyrea modesta

7
return to couplet #6
 * Sculpture opaque, with many conspicuous large punctures on petiole and other dorsal surfaces ..... Platythyrea schultzei
 * Sculpture of dorsal surfaces fine and in part feebly shining; coarser punctures small and shallow, inconspicuous on petiole and other dorsal surfaces ..... Platythyrea frontalis

8
return to couplet #1
 * Eyes small, their maximum diameters greatest width of antennal scope in front view; petiolar node with sharp, strongly projecting posterodorsal margin ..... Platythyrea gracillima
 * Eyes much longer than greatest scope width; posterodorsal border of petiolar node not or only weakly projecting caudad . . . . . 9

9
return to couplet #8
 * Posterior face of petiolar node concave, sharply distinct from dorsal surface, and slightly overhung by the weakly projecting posterodorsal border; mesonotum not at all impressed ..... Platythyrea arnoldi
 * Posterior face of petiolar node convex or flat, continuing the rounded dorsal face; mesonotum often impressed, at least weakly and in part . . . . . 10

10
return to couplet #9
 * Petiole long and narrow, width/length index <64; mesonotum distinctly impressed over its whole length .....  Platythyrea lamellosa
 * Petiole not so long and narrow, width/length index >64; mesonotum at most feeble impressed in posterior part, where it joins metanotum . . . . . 11

11
return to couplet #10
 * Size large, trunk length (WL)>3.8 mm ..... Platythyrea conradti
 * Size large, trunk length (WL)<3.8 mm ..... Platythyrea crucheti