Key to Meranoplus workers of Madagascar

This worker key is based on: Boudinot, B.E. & Fisher, B.L. 2013. A taxonomic revision of the Meranoplus F. Smith of Madagascar (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmicinae) with keys to species and diagnosis of the males. Zootaxa 3635, 301-339.

1

In dorsal view, posterolateral corners of promesonotal shield with spines produced beyond the posterior margin a distance greater than their width (fig. 19) . . . . . Meranoplus mayri

FIGURES 19–20. Promesonota of Meranoplus workers in dorsal view. 19. Meranoplus mayri: promesonotum with posterolateral spines (anon.). 20. Meranoplus radamae: promesonotum with posterolateral denticles ( A. Nobile 2007).

Head of Meranoplus mayri worker

Profile of Meranoplus mayri worker

In dorsal view, posterolateral corners of promesonotal shield with denticles that never project beyond the posterior margin more than the width of their bases (fig. 20) . . . . . 2

2

return to couplet #1

Bicolored: head through postpetiole orange, abdominal segments IV–VII dark brown to black. Petiolar sternum with finger-shaped anterior-projecting process (fig. 21) . . . . . Meranoplus cryptomys

FIGURES 21–22. Petioles and postpetioles of Meranoplus workers in profile. 21. Meranoplus cryptomys: subpetiolar process fingerlike. 22. Meranoplus radamae: subpetiolar process produced as denticle (A. Nobile 2007).

Head of Meranoplus cryptomys worker

Profile of Meranoplus cryptomys worker

Unicolorous; if somewhat bicolored, abdominal segments IV–VII never black. Petiolar sternum without finger-shaped anterior projecting process (fig. 22) . . . . . 3

3

return to couplet #2

Yellow to brown; occasionally darker brown, but never black. Propodeal spine with carina extending dorsally to promesonotal shield base (fig. 23). Middle and hind tibiae with a thin subapical spur . . . . . Meranoplus radamae

Figures 23-24. Mesosomata of Meranoplus workers in oblique posterolateral view. 23. Meranoplus radamae: propodeal spine with dorsomedian costa reaching notopropodeal suture (A. Nobile, 2007). 24. Meranoplus sylvarius: propodeal spine without dorsomedian costa reaching notopropodeal suture.

Head of Meranoplus radamae worker

Profile of Meranoplus radamae worker

Unicolorous chocolate brown to black. Propodeal spine without carina extending dorsally to promesonotal shield base (fig. 24). Both middle and hind tibiae without subapical spur . . . . . Meranoplus sylvarius

Head of Meranoplus sylvarius worker

Profile of Meranoplus sylvarius worker