Key to the Discothyrea of the Neotropical Atlantic Rainforest

This worker and queen key is based on: [[Media:Chaul, J. C. M. 2020. A new species of Discothyrea from the Brazilian Atlantic rainforest.pdf|Chaul, J.C.M. 2020. A new species of Discothyrea Roger (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest. Boletim do Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi. Ciências Naturais 15(1): 199-217]].

Chauls' preface to the key: With the description of Discothyrea bobi, extant New World species of Discothyrea are now ten.

The genus has more species to be described for the Neotropics, some of which are currently under the name of a given species (e.g. Discothyrea sexarticulata) and others are entirely new (Discothyrea ufv-04, UFV-LABECOL-011174). Therefore, identification will often be confusing and only a thorough revision can solve this problem. Considering the small amount of material available to me and the apparently unreported diversity of the genus in the New World, the building of an effective identification key for this fauna would be impossible. Moreover, the lack of images of some species (especially their types) and species described based on winged females further hamper the task of making a key. An effective key to the New World species would be the result of a much more in-depth investigation of the genus than this work represents. However, to ease identification for the time being, I highlight important traits separating D. bobi from each New World species as they are currently understood and presented a key to the three species occurring in the Atlantic Rainforest.

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Discothyrea

1

 * In full-face view, frontal lamella thick. Propodeal spiracle distant from metapleural gland bulla by less than its own width . . . . . 2


 * In full-face view, frontal lamella thin. Propodeal spiracle distant from metapleural gland bulla by more than its own width . . . . . Discothyrea sexarticulata . . . but this species is probably a species-complex.

2

 * Opaque integument. Propodeal corners well-defined . . . . . Discothyrea neotropica
 * 2’ Smooth integument with shiny portions, especially A4. Propodeal corners poorly marked . . . . . Discothyrea bobi