Stiphromyrmex

Radchenko and Dlussky (2017) - When Mayr (1868) described “?Stigmomyrmex robustus” he stressed some doubts concerning generic position of this species because the single holotype specimen was without both antennal funiculi. Later, Wheeler (1915) investigated two specimens from the collection of Königsberg that he considered to fit well with Mayr’s original description (even though he had not seen the holotype specimen of Stigmomyrmex robustus). As a result, he established a new monotypic genus Stiphromyrmex, transferring to it Mayr’s Stigmomyrmex robustus, which he redescribed and provided an excellent figure of the worker (Wheeler 1915, p. 68, Fig. 27). Wheeler (1915) considered Stiphromyrmex to be related to Pristomyrmex Mayr. The modern species of the latter genus are distributed in the Oriental, Australasian, Afrotropical Regions, and in the southern part of the eastern Palaearctic, and one fossil species was described from the Danish Late Eocene amber (Dlussky & Radchenko 2011). This idea is quite controversial, however, Bolton (2003) placed Stiphromyrmex as incertae sedis to the tribe Myrmecinini (N.B.: the same tribe to which he placed Pristomyrmex).

Identification
Radchenko and Dlussky (2017) - The genus Stiphromyrmex is mainly characterized by the 12-segmented antennae with the big 3-segmented club, by the short and stout mesosoma that is distinctly narrower than the head; the promesonotum convex, the promesonotal suture and metanotal groove are absent; the propodeum with the very big, massive curved spines, directed upward and backward at an angle ca. 55°; the middle and hind tibiae are with simple spur. The frontal lobes poorly developed, only partly covering the antennal sockets. The clypeus is with two longitudinal carinae. The maxillary palpes are 4-segmented, labial palpes – 3-segmented (Wheeler 1915).

Castes
Known only from the worker caste.

Nomenclature

 * † STIPHROMYRMEX [incertae sedis in Myrmicinae: Myrmecinini]
 * †Stiphromyrmex Wheeler, W.M. 1915h: 67. Type-species: †Stigmomyrmex robustus, by original designation.