Ancyridris

Beyond the two taxonomic publications that detail the two species in this genus (Ancyridris polyrhachioides and Ancyridris rupicapra), nothing is known about these ants.

Identification
The hooked end of the long propodeal spines, curved towards the head, and the rearward bending elongate petiole spines are a distinctive feature of both species of this genus. Beyond this the genus is similar to Aphaenogaster or certain worker forms of Pheidole.

Worker Morphology
These characters are collated in the table "WorkerMorphology". View table.

Nomenclature

 *  ANCYRIDRIS [Myrmicinae: Stenammini]
 * Ancyridris Wheeler, W.M. 1935a: 1. Type-species: Ancyridris polyrhachioides, by original designation.
 * [Ancyridris provisional junior synonym of Lordomyrma: Brown, 1973b: 178 (unconfirmed).]

Description
Worker: Monomorphic (?), with hard, thick, smooth integument. Mandibles subtriangular, with distinct and rather long masticatory border bearing a graduated series of about 10 teeth. Palpi short, maxillary pair 4-, labial pair 3-jointed. Head broadly subelliptical, eyes well developed, in front of the middle of its sides; ocelli absent. Clypeus very short laterally, with subobsolete posterior suture, its median portion produced backward triangularly between the frontal carinae, its anterior border with a large, median triangular tooth. Frontal carinae rather closely approximated, feebly lobular in front, straight and subparallel behind; frontal area absent; frontal groove interrupted, subobsolete. Antennae long, 12-jointed; first funicular joint somewhat enlarged, second longer than the third, the tip enlarged, forming an indistinct three- to four- jointed club. Thorax long and narrow, shaped somewhat as in Aphaenogaster, with long and pronounced mesoepinotal impression; promesonotal suture distinct only on the sides, mesoepinotal suture obsolete; pronotum with strong humeral protuberances; mesosternum with a rectangular, laterally projecting tooth near the base of its ventral border; epinotum bearing two long, flattened, hooked spines resembling those of Polyrhachis bamata Drury; epinotal spiracle circular, borne on a distinct crateriform eminence; metasterna swollen, apparently containing voluminous metasternal glands. Petiole long, with well-developed anterior peduncle, its node rather high and bearing a pair of backwardly and outwardly directed spines. Postpetiole short, with rounded-subconical node. Gaster broadly oval, consisting for the most part of the enlarged first segment; sting not exserted, apparently vestigial. Legs long; coxae large and swollen; middle and hind tibiae spurless; tarsal claws simple.