Boloponera

This genus is currently known from a single worker collected from leaf litter in the Central African Republic near the border of Gabon, Cameroon, and Congo.

Identification
Fisher (2006) - Boloponera gen.n. is reminiscent of Plectroctena. Both taxa have: (1) linear mandibles, (2) frontal lobes that project over mandible, (3) propodeal lamellae, and (4) metafemur with a longitudinal, possibly glandular groove. However, there are striking differences. The mandible of Boloponera lacks the characteristic large semicircular excavation in the clypeal margin at the mandibular articulation. Both taxa have linear mandibles, but Boloponera lacks the longitudinal groove on the inner half of the dorsal surface of the mandible blade.

In addition, Boloponera lacks the unique shape of the ventral anterior articulatory surface of the petiole found in the Plectroctena group. The Plectroctena group is characterized by the presence of a V-shaped groove or a narrow median pore-like depression on the anteriormost part of the ventral surface of the petiole (Bolton and Brown 2002). In Boloponera, the shape is similar to other Ponerini outside the Plectroctena group.

Boloponera differs from the only known Centromyrmex with elongate mandibles C silvestrii by having frontal lobes that extend anteriorly and project out over the mandibular basal margins. In addition, Boloponera lacks the strong spines on the middle tibia and middle and hind basitarsi that characterize Centromyrmex. Boloponera is also superficially similar to Myopias but differs in lacking a second tibial spur and a clypeus that projects between the frontal lobes and extends over the basal margin of the mandibles. Based on overall characters, Boloponera along with Dolioponera may well constitute the sister group of the Plectroctena genus group. Centromyrmex may also prove to be closely related to the Plectroctena genus group.

Nomenclature

 *  BOLOPONERA [Ponerinae: Ponerini]
 * Boloponera Fisher, 2006: 112. Type-species: Boloponera vicans, by original designation.

Worker
Worker. Ponerinae ant with the characters of the Ponerini tribe listed in BOLTON (2003) and also with the following:

1. Median portion of clypeus not extended anteriorly as a lobe that projects out over the mandibular basal margins.

2. Frontal lobes extend anteriorly and project out over the mandibular basal margins.

3. Labrum not visible in full-face view with mandibles closed.

4. Mandible linear, without large semicircular excavation in clypeal margin at mandibular articulation.

5. Postventral curve of head in profile without projecting curved flange.

6. Propodeal dorsum without median longitudinal groove or impression.

7. Metafemur with longitudinal (glandular) groove present along entire length.

8. A4 tergite tubular, not strongly arched and down-curved.

9. Anteroventral process on the A3 sternite present, but greatly reduced.

10. Anteriormost part of ventral surface of petiole with broadly horseshoe-shaped strip of cuticle.

11. Antennae 12-segmented.