Key to African and Malagasy Genera of Ponerinae

This worker key is based on: Schmidt, C.A. & Shattuck, S.O. 2014. The higher classification of the ant subfamily Ponerinae (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), with a review of ponerine ecology and behavior. Zootaxa. 3817, 1–242 (doi:10.11646/zootaxa.3817.1.1)

Including all of Africa, Madagascar, and the western islands of the Indian Ocean.

1

 * Clypeus broadly inserted between frontal lobes, which appear flattened in frontal view, the antennal sockets widely separated (Fig. A). Metatibiae with two pectinate spurs. Tarsal claws armed with a single preapical tooth . . . . . 2
 * Clypeus narrowly inserted between frontal lobes, the antennal sockets closely approximated (Fig. B). Metatibiae with one or two spurs. Tarsal claws usually unarmed, sometimes pectinate or armed with one or two preapical teeth . . . . . 3

2
return to couplet #1
 * Preocular carinae absent. Petiole attached at approximately midheight of anterior face of first gastral segment (Fig. A) . . . . . Platythyrea
 * Preocular carinae present. Petiole attached low on the anterior face of the first gastral segment (Fig. B) . . . . . Megaponera

3
return to couplet #1
 * Mandibles long and linear, inserted medially on the front of the head. Eyes set on prominent ocular prominences (Fig. A) . . . . . 4
 * Mandibles variously shaped, inserted at or near the anterolateral corners of the head. Eyes not set on prominent ocular prominences (Fig. B) . . . . . 5

4
return to couplet #3
 * Nuchal carina continuously curved, the posterior surface of the head lacking a pair of dark apophyseal lines (Fig. A) . . . . . Anochetus
 * Nuchal carina medially V-shaped, the posterior surface of the head with a pair of dark converging apophyseal lines (Fig. B) . . . . . Odontomachus

5
return to couplet #3
 * Mesotibiae dorsally with abundant stout traction setae (Fig. A) … . . . . . 6
 * Mesotibiae dorsally without abundant stout traction setae (a few stout setae sometimes present near tarsus but never extending along length of tibia) (Fig. B) . . . . . 9

6
return to couplet #5
 * Mandibles triangular, with a basal pit. Metanotal groove distinct. Spiniform setae absent from meso- and metabasitarsi. Eyes present (but small) or absent in workers (Fig. A) . . . . . Cryptopone (in part)
 * Mandibles variously shaped, but never with a basal pit. Metanotal groove usually obsolete. Spiniform setae present on meso- and metabasitarsi. Eyes absent in workers (Fig. B) . . . . . 7

7
return to couplet #6
 * Mandibles linear. Anterior margin of clypeus with a blunt medial projection (Fig. A) . . . . . Promyopias
 * Mandibles triangular to subtriangular. Anterior margin of clypeus without a blunt medial projection (Fig. B) . . . . . 8

8
return to couplet #7
 * Anterior clypeal margin with a pair of small lateral projecting teeth. Frontal lobes closely approximated and overhanging the anterior clypeal margin. (Fig. A) Metapleural gland orifice located near the posteroventral corner of the metapleuron . . . . . Feroponera
 * Anterior clypeal margin without a pair of projecting teeth. Frontal lobes not closely approximated and not overhanging the anterior clypeal margin. (Fig. B) Metapleural gland orifice located near the propodeal spiracle and opening laterally . . . . . Centromyrmex

9
return to couplet #5
 * Ventral apex of the metatibia with a single spur, which is pectinate (Fig. A) . . . . . 10
 * Ventral apex of the metatibia with one pectinate and one simple or barbulate spur (Fig. B) . . . . . 19

10
return to couplet #9
 * Propodeal spiracle slit-shaped (Fig. A) . . . . . 11
 * Propodeal spiracle round or ovoid (Fig. B) . . . . . 12

11
return to couplet #10
 * Eyes present. Metanotal groove strongly impressed and “V”-shaped (Fig. A) . . . . . Asphinctopone
 * Eyes absent (or present only as a pigmented spot). Metanotal groove angular, the propodeum depressed below the mesonotum (Fig. B) . . . . . Fisheropone

12
return to couplet #10
 * Petiole scale-like and thin (Fig. A). Frontal lobes small (Fig. B) . . . . . 13
 * Petiole surmounted by a thick node (Fig. C). Frontal lobes large (Fig. D) . . . . . 15

13
return to couplet #12
 * Mandibles with a basal pit or fovea (Fig. A) . . . . . Cryptopone (in part)
 * Mandibles without a distinct basal pit or fovea (Fig. B) . . . . . 14

14
return to couplet #13
 * Subpetiolar process with an anterior fenestra and paired posteroventral teeth (Fig. A) . . . . . Ponera
 * Subpetiolar process without both an anterior fenestra and paired posteroventral teeth (Fig. B) . . . . . Hypoponera

15
return to couplet #12
 * Mandible with a long curved attenuated apical tooth (Fig. A). Labrum projecting beyond the anterior clypeal margin . . . . . Psalidomyrmex
 * Mandible without a long attenuated apical tooth (Fig. B). Labrum not projecting beyond the anterior clypeal margin . . . . . 16

16
return to couplet #15
 * Body extremely elongate (Fig. A). Mandibles with a row of peg-like setae on their inner margins (Fig. B). Posterior propodeal margins not expanded to form lamellae. Metafemur without a dorsal groove . . . . . Dolioponera
 * Body not extremely elongate (Fig. C). Mandibles without a row of peg-like setae on their inner margins (Fig. D). Posterior propodeal margins expanded posteriorly to form lamellae. Metafemur with a dorsal groove . . . . . 17

17
return to couplet #16
 * A4 tergite strongly vaulted, the gaster downcurved posteriorly. Posteroventral corners of head with a projecting flange (Fig. A) . . . . . Loboponera
 * A4 tergite not strongly vaulted. Posteroventral corners of head without a projecting flange (Fig. B) . . . . . 18

18
return to couplet #17
 * Mandible thin and curved, with both a dorsal and a lateral longitudinal groove (Fig. A). Clypeus with a lateral excavation at the base of each mandible (Fig. A). Eyes generally present, varying from moderately large to very small, rarely absent . . . . . Plectroctena
 * Mandible triangular, with only a lateral longitudinal groove (Fig. B). Clypeus without lateral excavations (Fig. B). Eyes absent . . . . . Boloponera