Key to Tetraponera ambigua group species

This key is based on Ward, P. S. 2006. The ant genus Tetraponera in the Afrotropical region: synopsis of species groups and revision of the T. ambigua-group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Myrmecologische Nachrichten 8:119-130. [[Media:Ward 2006 Tetraponera groups.pdf|PDF]]

Back to Key to Afrotropical Tetraponera species-groups

NOTES:
 * CSC Cepalic setal count: number of standing hairs (those forming an angle of 45º or more with cuticular sur- face) visible on posterior half of head, as seen in lat- eral and posterior views.
 * EL Eye length, measured in same plane of view as HL
 * MSC Mesosomal setal count: number of standing hairs vis- ible in profile (lateral view) on mesosoma dorsum
 * PL Length of petiole in lateral view from lateral flanges of anterior peduncle to posterior margin of petiole
 * PLI Petiole length index: PH / PL
 * REL2 Relative eye length, using HW: EL / HW

1
Smaller species (HW 0.51 - 0.71) with elongate head (CI 0.66 - 0.79); masticatory margin of mandibles with four teeth; (African mainland and Arabian Peninsula) .....2

Larger species (HW 0.80 - 0.92) with broader head (CI 0.89 - 0.92); masticatory margin of mandibles with six teeth; (Endemic to Madagascar). ................................ Tetraponera phragmotica

2
return to couplet .....1

Standing pilosity common on mesosoma dorsum (MSC 12 - 44); larger species (HW 0.61 - 0.71), with smaller eyes (REL2 0.54 - 0.60).....Tetraponera ambigua Standing pilosity virtually absent from mesosoma dorsum, except for one pair of long setae on pronotum (MSC 2 - 3); smaller species (HW 0.51 - 0.59), with disproportionately larger eyes (REL2 0.63 - 0.72) .....3

3
return to couplet .....2

Standing pilosity common on posterior half of head, conspicuous in profile (CSC 12 - 22); petiole short and robust (PLI 0.54 - 0.61, PL / HL 0.46 - 0.50)..... Tetraponera parops

Standing pilosity sparse on posterior half of head (CSC 2 - 4); petiole usually more elongate (PLI 0.47 - 0.56; PL / HL 0.50 - 0.54).....Tetraponera ophthalmica