Key to Crematogaster Physocrema species

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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
Crematogaster mucronata casent0904532 p 1 high.jpg
  • 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
Crematogaster vacca casent0908465 p 1 high.jpg
  • In lateral view, pronotum and mesonotum forming a single convexity, propodeum slightly raised relative to promesonotum, metanotal groove less deep . . . . . Crematogaster yamanei
Crematogaster yamanei casent0905904 p 1 high.jpg

4

return to couplet #1

Crematogaster-tanakai-lateral-am-lg.jpg

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
Hosoishi and Ogata 2014. Figure 3,4.

6

return to couplet #5

Crematogaster inflata casent0193621 p 1 high.jpg
Hosoishi and Ogata 2014. Figure 1,2.

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
Crematogaster-aurita-lateral-am-lg.jpg
  • 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

Hosoishi and Ogata 2014. Figure 6,7.
Crematogaster physothorax casent0217851 p 1 high.jpg
  • The posterior portion of pronotum without distinct rugulae in dorsal view (Fig. 7) . . . . . Crematogaster onusta
Crematogaster onusta casent0193714 p 1 high.jpg

9

return to couplet #5

  • Dorsal setae on posterior portion of fourth abdominal tergite directed medially (Fig. 8) . . . . . Crematogaster difformis
Crematogaster-difformisL2.5.jpg
  • Dorsal setae on fourth abdominal tergite directed posteriorly (Fig. 9) . . . . . 10
Hosoishi and Ogata 2014. Figure 8,9.

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
Crematogaster sewardi casent0908464 p 1 high.jpg
  • 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
Crematogaster ampullaris casent0193577 p 1 high.jpg