Key to Subfamily of Philippine Ants

Key to the subfamilies of Philippine ants, based on the worker caste (adapted from Bolton, 1994).

Numbers in parentheses refer to the previous couplet in the sequence. Return to Philippine Ants homepage.

1

 * Postpetiole absent (Fig. 1a) . . . . . 2


 * Postpetiole present and segments nearly equal in size, or postpetiole much larger, in which case, gaster with distinct constriction at insertion with postpetiole (Fig. 1b) . . . . . 7

2
(1)
 * Sting absent . . . . . 3


 * Sting present, often conspicuous and functional . . . . . 4

3
(2)
 * In profile, a circular nozzle, the acidopore, often fringed with hairs, present at apex of gaster; antennal sockets sometimes situated well behind posterior margin of clypeus	Formicinae


 * In profile, acidopore absent; apex of gaster with a transverse slit-like orifice (best seen in apical or lateral view); antennal sockets always abutting the posterior margin of clypeus	Dolichoderinae

4
(2)
 * Petiole broadly attached to gaster, so that petiole has no posterior face in side view (Fig.4a); mandibles linear and inserted at side of head (Fig. 5a)	Amblyoponinae


 * Petiole narrowly attached to gaster, so that petiole has a posterior face in side view (Fig. 4b); mandibles variable and inserted at sides or front of head (Fig. 5b)	. . . . . 5

5
(4)
 * Frontal lobes and clypeus absent or reduced, so that antennal sockets are fully exposed in dorsal view and situated very near or above anterior margin of the head (Fig. 6a)	Proceratiinae


 * Frontal lobes and clypeus well-developed, so that antennal sockets are partially or entirely covered in dorsal view and situated posterior to the anterior margin of the head	(Fig. 6b) . . . . . 6

6
(5)
 * Frontal lobes elongate and roughly parallel, so that frontal carinae do not converge posteriorly; mandibles triangular	Ectatomminae


 * Frontal lobes rounded or bluntly triangular; frontal carinae, when present, appear to converge posteriorly; mandibles variable from linear to triangular	Ponerinae

7
(1)
 * Pronotum and mesonotum separated by a conspicuous, flexible suture, allowing pronotum to move relative to mesonotum	. . . . . 8


 * Pronotum and mesonotum separated by an often inconspicuous, rigid suture, so that pronotum and mesonotum are fused together	. . . . . 9

8
(7)
 * Eyes, present, large; ventral surface of postpetiole at most slightly bulging (Tetraponera)	Pseudomyrmecinae


 * Eyes absent; ventral surface of postpetiole swollen and bulbous (Leptanilla)	Leptanillinae

9
(7)
 * Postpetiole barrel-shaped and much larger than petiole; gaster conspicuously constricted at insertion; tergite VII transversely flattened and armed with peg-like teeth	Cerapachyinae


 * Postpetiole globular and nearly equal in size to petiole; gaster with narrow constriction at insertion; tergite VII rounded and unarmed	. . . . . 10

10
(9)
 * Frontal lobes absent; antennal sockets completely exposed; eyes absent; gaster narrowly constricted at insertion with postpetiole (Aenictus)	Aenictinae


 * Frontal lobes usually present (much reduced or absent in Pristomyrmex); antennal sockets partially or completely concealed; eyes rarely absent; gaster not constricted at insertion with postpetiole	Myrmicinae