Key to Meranoplus of India

Key to species of Meranoplus of India based on workers, modified from Schödl (1998) by Bharti & Akbar (2014).

1

 * Petiolar crest distinctly bidentate, postpetiole with an acute, posteriorly directed short spine.Mandibles with five teeth. Posterior mesonotal margin not, or only slightly overhanging the propodeum, the latter constituting a part of the dorsal mesosoma => Meranoplus bellii
 * Petiole never bidentate and postpetiole never with a short spine dorsally. Mandibles with four teeth, sometimes with an additional basal offset denticle. Posterior mesonotal margin usually distinctly overhanging the propodeum, the latter meeting the dorsum of the mesosoma almost at a right angle => 2

2

 * Mandibles with five teeth, the basal tooth offset. Dorsal surfaces of head and promesonotum smooth, additionally distinctly carinulate => Meranoplus levis
 * Mandibles with four teeth. Dorsum of head and promesonotum always reticulate rugulose => 3

3

 * Promesonotum with only one pair of posteriorly directed mesonotal spines, without additional postero-lateral and/or posterior paramedian mesonotal projections => 4
 * Promesonotum of different shapes, always with additional posterolateral and/or posterior paramedian mesonotal projections => 5

4

 * Promesonotal shield with a single pair of posteriorly directed long spines in the posterior mesonotal corners. Dorsal surfaces and appendages provided with exceptionally long, outstanding hairs as well as shorter pubescence => Meranoplus bicolor
 * Promesonotal shield with a single pair of posteriorly directed shorter, blunt or acute projections in the posterior mesonotal corners. Dorsal surfaces and appendages without extremely long, outstanding hairs => Meranoplus rothneyi

5

 * Petiole in profile distinctly truncate dorsally. Promesonotal shield with one pair of translucent fenestrae => Meranoplus laeviventris
 * Petiole in profile cone shaped not truncate dorsally. Promesonotal shield with two pairs of translucent fenestrae => Meranoplus periyarensis