Key to Afrotropical Bothroponera species complexes

This key is based on Joma & MacKay (2015)

1

 * Metatibial gland present (Fig 3); scape extends at least length of first funicular segment past posterior lateral corner of head; lower margin of anterior medial area of clypeus convex; frontal lobes subquadrate ..... B. sulcata species complex


 * Metatibial gland absent; scape shorter, barely reaches posterior lateral corner of head or extends past less than length of first funicular segment; lower margin of anterior medial area of clypeus convex, straight or slightly concave; frontal lobes rounded .....2

2
return to couplet 1
 * Anterior medial margin of clypeus convex, “u” or “v” shaped; eyes relatively large (eye width 0.30 – 0.45 mm, eye length 0.30 – 0.50 mm and malar space area length 0.38 – 0.75 mm) .....B. pumicosa species complex
 * Anterior margin of clypeus straight or slightly concave or convex but not “v” or “u” shaped; eyes relatively small (eye width 0.10 – 0.35 mm, eye length 0.11 – 0.45 mm and malar space area length 0.12 – 0.51 mm) .....B. talpa species complex