Key to Meranoplus diversus group workers

This worker key is based on: Schödl, S. 2007. Revision of Australian Meranoplus: the Meranoplus diversus group. Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute 80:370-424.

Schödl noted: The worn-down condition of the dentition in many specimens renders more difficult to decide how many mandibular teeth are structurally present. You may also be interested in

Meranoplus

1

 * Promesonotal shield with posterolateral and posterior projections short and at most bluntly rounded or triangular, lateral margins of the shield not or only little overhanging lateral mesosomal sides and propodeal declivity (Figs. 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 41) . . . . . 2


 * Promesonotal shield with posterolateral and posterior projections well developed as acute or narrowly rounded projections, lateral margins distinctly overhanging lateral mesosomal sides and propodeal declivity (Figs. 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 43, 45, 47, 49, 51) . . . . . 8

2
return to couplet #1
 * Paramedian projections on mesonotal hind margin absent (Fig. 41). Eyes very large (EYE 0.37 - 0.42; REL 0.23 - 0.26). (Western Australia) . . . . . Meranoplus occidentalis


 * Paramedian projections on mesonotal hind margin at least present as minute denticles. Eyes distinctly smaller (EYE < 0.35; REL < 0.22) . . . . . 3

3
return to couplet #2
 * Clypeus anteriorly bluntly bidentate. Posterior face of petiole costate or rugose. With four mandibular teeth . . . . . 4


 * Clypeal projection different. Posterior face of petiole rugose to rugulose. With three mandibular teeth . . . . . 5

4
return to couplet #3
 * Posterior petiolar face rugose. Promesonotal shield translucently margined, with mesonotal projections narrowly rounded (Fig. 11). Dorsal ocular margin well separated from ventral scrobal margin. (north-western Australia) . . . . . Meranoplus duyfkeni


 * Posterior petiolar face evenly and densely costate. Promesonotal shield not translucently margined, with mesonotal projections reduced or seen as minute denticles (Fig. 13). Dorsal ocular margin reaching ventral scrobal margin. (Queensland) . . . . . Meranoplus orientalis

5
return to couplet #3
 * Clypeus with conspicuous dorsal median keel-like carina, accompanied by lateral more or less developed carinate projections (Figs. 52, 53). (Widespread throughout most of arid to monsoonal Australia, absent in southernmost parts) . . . . . Meranoplus ajax


 * Dorsal clypeus at most with weak median keel or with flat elaboration . . . . . 6

6
return to couplet #5
 * Anterior clypeal margin with upward flexion, somewhat lamellate and laterally denticulate and broadly rounded, frequently with weak median carina (Fig. 55; plate I, A). (Top End, Northern Territory) . . . . . Meranoplus snellingi


 * Anterior clypeal margin not lamellate, concave, with dorsal flat anteriorly rectangular or excised elaboration that may surpass anterior clypeal margin . . . . . 7

7
return to couplet #6
 * Larger species, HW 1.78 - 2.37. Dorsal clypeal elaboration seldom surpassing anterior margin (Fig. 54). First gastral tergite entirely coarsely striate to striatopunctate. (Kimberley throughout central Australia to northeastern Queensland) . . . . . Meranoplus unicolor


 * Smaller species with HW 1.58 - 1.80. Dorsal clypeal elaboration usually distinctly surpassing anterior clypeal margin (Fg. 56). First gastral tergite microreticulate, without striation. (Top End, Northern Territory) . . . . . Meranoplus berrimah

8
return to couplet #1
 * Posterior petiolar face evenly and conspicuously costate. Concolorous or bicolored species . . . . . 9


 * Posterior petiolar face reticulate rugulose. Distinctly bicolored species . . . . . 21

9
return to couplet #8
 * Clypeus bidentate or anteriorly deeply excised, with or without additional medial carina or bulge . . . . . 10


 * Clypeus not bidentate, either transversally vaulted with the anterolateral clypeal corners more or less acutely extended, or the clypeal projection flat with an occasional medial elevation and the anterior margin sinuate (Figs. 65 - 68) . . . . . 18

10
return to couplet #9
 * Clypeus dorsally with additional medial bulge or carina that may surpass the anterior clypeal margin . . . . . 11


 * Clypeus without such structure . . . . . 12

11
return to couplet #10
 * Clypeus medially with triangular bulge-like projection (Fig. 59). Dorsal ocular margin confluent with ventral scrobal margin. (south-central to north-east coastal Australia) . . . . . Meranoplus mars


 * Clypeus medially with acute tooth merging into a narrow carina (Fig. 61). Dorsal ocular margin well separated from lower scrobal margin. (coastal and south-central Queensland; Alice Springs) . . . . . Meranoplus tricuspidatus

12
return to couplet #10
 * Dorsal ocular margin well separated from lower scrobal margin . . . . . 13


 * Dorsal ocular margin very close to or confluent with lower scrobal margin . . . . . 15

13
return to couplet #12
 * Promesonotal shield in overall impression not square, with apically acute posterolateral and posterior projections. Petiole in profile with posterior face angularly convex. Frontal carinae in anterior half abruptly broader (Fig. 71; plate I, B). (south-central Queensland; New South Wales) . . . . . Meranoplus christinae


 * Promesonotal shield in overall impression somewhat square with apically rounded posterior and posterolateral projections. Petiole in profile acutely triangular. Frontral carinae anteriorly not abruptly broader . . . . . 14

14
return to couplet #13
 * Clypeus medially deeply excised, with long, acute anterolateral projections that almost reach anterolateral frontal lobes (Fig. 69) (w. coastal to central Australia) . . . . . Meranoplus diversus


 * Clypeus not as deeply excised, clypeal teeth short and bluntly triangular with upward flexion, distinctly shorter than extended frontal lobes (Fig. 70). (Queensland; southern-most Northern Territory) . . . . . Meranoplus diversoides