Key to Myrmecina from Sundaland

This worker key is based on: Wong, M.K.L. & Guénard, B. 2016. First record of the ant genus Myrmecina from the Malay Peninsula: description of a new species and a key to Myrmecina species from Sundaland. Journal of Hymenoptera Research. 50:129-140.

In an effort to be comprehensive, we also tentatively incorporated the description of M. nesaea, which was described from the gyne caste only (Wheeler 1924, p.247). For this last species, we only included characters on pilosity that might be shared between the gyne and worker castes into our comparative analyses.

You may also be interested in Myrmecina

1

In profile view propodeal spines pointing posteriorly . . . . . 2

In profile view propodeal spines pointing anteriorly; large sized species (TL > 4 mm) (Singapore) . . . . . Myrmecina magnificens

2

return to couplet #1

In profile view propodeal spines small with length shorter than or equivalent to basal width . . . . . 3

In profile view propodeal spines distinct with length exceeding basal width . . . . . 4

3

return to couplet #2

In profile view pro-mesonotum weak to moderately convex; in full-face view anterior edge of clypeus straight, eyes large, approximately 1/4 of HL. (Sumatra) . . . . . Myrmecina bandarensis

In profile view pro-mesonotum strongly convex; in full-face view anterior edge of clypeus slightly concave (Sumatra) . . . . . Myrmecina butteli

4

return to couplet #2

In full-face view clypeus with distinctly concave anterior edge (Borneo, Sumatra) . . . . . Myrmecina undulata

In full-face view clypeus with straight anterior edge . . . . . 5

5

return to couplet #4

In profile view pro-mesonotum strongly convex; propodeal spine with length that is almost twice of basal width, and pointing posteriorly at an approximate forty-five degree angle (Java) . . . . . Myrmecina sulcata

In profile view pro-mesonotum weakly convex; propodeal spines with length slightly exceeding basal width and pointing posteriorly at a nearly horizontal angle . . . . . 6

6

return to couplet #5

Pilosity on entire body long and white in colour (Sumatra) . . . . . Myrmecina nesaea (Described from gyne only)

Pilosity on entire body short and yellow in colour (Java) . . . . . Myrmecina semipolita