Key to Crematogaster Physocrema species
This worker key is based on: Hosoishi, S. & Ogata, K. 2009b. A taxonomic revision of the Asian endemic subgenus Physocrema of the genus Crematogaster. Zootaxa 2062: 15-36.
Most Physocrema species show strong polymorphism in size and sculpture. Large workers are typically more useful than smaller workers for indentification, particularly in closely similar species.
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1
- Propodeal spines developed and with pointed apices . . . . . 2
- Propodeal spines undeveloped and forming obtuse lobes . . . . . 4
2
return to couplet #1
- Antennal club 3-jointed. Pronotum raised steeply toward mesonotum in lateral view . . . . . Crematogaster mucronata
- Antennal club 4-jointed. Pronotum raised moderately toward mesonotum in lateral view . . . . . 3
3
return to couplet #2
- In lateral view, pronotum and mesonotum forming a single convexity, propodeum distinctly raised relative to promesonotum, metanotal groove deep . . . . . Crematogaster vacca
- In lateral view, pronotum and mesonotum forming a single convexity, propodeum slightly raised relative to promesonotum, metanotal groove less deep . . . . . Crematogaster yamanei
4
return to couplet #1
- Dorsal median portion of head swollen . . . . . Crematogaster tanakai
- Dorsal median portion of head not swollen . . . . . 5
5
return to couplet #4
- Propodeal spiracle situated near the metapleural gland orifice, the distance between them about the same as the propodeal spiracle diameter (Fig. 4) . . . . . 6
- Propodeal spiracle situated away from the metapleural gland orifice, the distance between them much greater than the propodeal spiracle diameter (Fig. 3) . . . . . 9
6
return to couplet #5
- Clypeus smooth and shining without longitudinal rugulae (Fig. 1) . . . . . Crematogaster inflata
- Clypeus striated with rugulae (Fig. 2) . . . . . 7
7
return to couplet #6
- Dorsal face of head strongly striated with abundant longitudinal rugulae. Scape not reaching posterior corner of head in large workers. Workers with pronounced size polymorphism . . . . . Crematogaster aurita
- Dorsal face of head not strongly striated with longitudinal rugulae. Scape reaching posterior corner of head. Workers monomorphic in size . . . . . 8
8
return to couplet #7
- The posterior portion of pronotum with transverse rugulae in dorsal view (Fig. 6) . . . . . Crematogaster physothorax
- The posterior portion of pronotum without distinct rugulae in dorsal view (Fig. 7) . . . . . Crematogaster onusta
9
return to couplet #5
- Dorsal setae on posterior portion of fourth abdominal tergite directed medially (Fig. 8) . . . . . Crematogaster difformis
- Dorsal setae on fourth abdominal tergite directed posteriorly (Fig. 9) . . . . . 10
10
return to couplet #9
- In lateral view, dorsal profile of promesonotum convex, propodeum distinctly raised relative to promesonotum, metanotal groove very deep . . . . . Crematogaster sewardi
- In lateral view, dorsal profile of promesonotum convex, propodeum slightly raised relative to promesonotum, metanotal groove not so deep in dorsal median portion . . . . . Crematogaster ampullaris