Key to Prenolepis Group Genera (Formicinae)

Prenolepis Group Generic Key

Based on LaPolla et al. (2009) and LaPolla et al (2012).

1
Maxillary palps with five or fewer segments; species often strongly polymorphic, with a major and minor caste expressed . . . . . 2

Maxillary palps with six segments; species monomorphic to slightly polymorphic, with no discernable major or minor caste expressed . . . . . 4

2
Return to couplet 1

Polymorphic Afrotropical species. . . . . Paraparatrechina (weissi species-group)

Monomorphic or polymorphic Australasian/Indoaustralian species . . . . . 3

3
Return to couplet 2

Eyes large, typically REL ≥ 20 (one exception – Euprenolepis negrosensis); labial palps typically with four segments; mesothorax constricted immediately behind pronotum; mandalus large and conspicuous, usually visible without dissection of mandible (This character can be difficult to determine unless the mandible is dissected. It is only required if specimens have four-segmented labial palps AND five mandibular teeth.). . . . . Euprenolepis

Eyes small, REL < 20, typically 15 or less; labial palps typically with two or three segments; mesothorax typically not constricted immediately behind pronotum; mandalus small and inconspicuous, usually not visible without dissection of mandible. . . . . Pseudolasius

4
Return to couplet 1

Mandibles with between five and seven teeth; if five teeth, then mesothorax constricted immediately behind pronotum; scapes with or without erect setae . . . . . 5

Mandibles always with five teeth; mesothorax not constricted immediately behind pronotum; scapes always lacking erect setae . . . . . 7

5
Return to couplet 4

Eyes with about half their length above and half their length below midlength of head (typically at vertex). . . . . Nylanderia

Eyes largely above midlength of head (typically posterior of vertex) . . . . . 6

6
Return to couplet 5

Head round in general appearance, with rounded, indistinct posterolateral corners; mesothorax always constricted immediately behind pronotum, typically with distinctly convex eyes (if eyes not distinctly convex, then head is distinctly round). . . . . Prenolepis

Head rectangular in general appearance, with more angular, distinct posterolateral corners (one exception – Zatania gloriosa, which has a distinctly narrow, rectangular head with very rounded, indistinct posterolateral corners); if mesothorax constricted immediately behind pronotum then eyes relatively flat. . . . . Zatania

7
Return to couplet 4

Erect setae (one pair) present on propodeum; erect setae on head form a pattern of four setae along posterior margin and six or seven rows from posterior margin to clypeal margin; dorsal face of propodeum typically short and angular; femora and tibiae lacking large erect setae. . . . . Paraparatrechina

Erect setae absent on propodeum; erect setae on head scattered across surface; dorsal face of propodeum broad and gently rounded; femora and tibiae with large erect setae. . . . . Paratrechina