Dinomyrmex

Terror Ants

Diagnosis: Emery (1925) - "Worker. - Head of majors enormous, broad and notched posteriorly, sometimes with median ocellus; head of minors much narrower, posterior head margin rounded and prolonged into a short articular neck. Clypeus medially carinate, extending anteriorly as a long, rectangular lobe which has acute and distinct anterolateral angles (forming horn-like processes), anterior clypeal process notched medially. Mandibles with lateral margins straight, arching only apically; masticatory margin with six teeth, of which most are scalloped (doubled); basal margin dentate. Frontal carinae short, beginning at a very distant from the clypeus; antennal insertions set remarkably posterior to posterior clypeal margin. Antennae long. Mesosomal dorsum continuously arched. Petiolar scale thick, with apex forming a rounded point. Queen. - Head similar to media; ocelli more close-set. Male. - Head elongate, widening somewhat anteriorly near mandibular articulations. Clypeus anteriorly rounded. Mandibles narrow, terminating in an obtuse point. Pedicel shorter and thinner than the third antennomere, except at its two extremities.

Geographical distribution of the species. - Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo."

(Translated and edited by B. E. Boudinot, 15 February, 2017.)

Identification
Based on its phylogenetic position, as a lineage separate from both Camponotus and Colobopsis, and sister to all other camponotines except Opisthopsis and Colobopsis. Dinomyrmex is a distinctive camponotine, confined to southeast Asia, and recognized by the combination of very large size (HW 3.25–5.35), elongate antennae and legs, and the presence of a metapleural gland. The species also has characteristic mandibular dentition, with teeth occurring on both the masticatory and basal margins of the mandible (Emery 1925).

Nomenclature

 *  DINOMYRMEX [subgenus of Camponotus]
 * Dinomyrmex Ashmead, 1905b: 384. Type-species: Formica gigas, by original designation.
 * Dinomyrmex senior synonym of Myrmogigas: Forel, 1913b: 350 (in text); Forel, 1914a: 259; Wheeler, W.M. 1922a: 704.
 * [Dinomyrmex and Myrmogigas share the same type-species, synonymy is therefore absolute.]
 * MYRMOGIGAS [junior synonym of Dinomyrmex]
 * Myrmogigas Forel, 1912i: 91 [as subgenus of Camponotus]. Type-species: Formica gigas, by subsequent designation of Wheeler, W.M. 1913a: 81.
 * Myrmogigas junior synonym of Dinomyrmex: Forel, 1913c: 350 (in text); Forel, 1914a: 259.
 * [Dinomyrmex and Myrmogigas share the same type-species, synonymy is therefore absolute.]