Key to Malagasy Technomyrmex

This worker key is based on: Bolton, B. 2007b. Taxonomy of the dolichoderine ant genus Technomyrmex Mayr (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) based on the worker caste. Contributions of the American Entomological Institute. 35(1):1-149.

NOTE. The locations and relative lengths of various setae are critical in the determination of some species. Abraded; or old and damaged, specimens may be difficult or impossible to identify correctly.

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Technomyrmex

1

• With head in profile the dorsal surface of the frontal carina, or the dorsum immediately mesad of the frontal carina, without setae . . . . . 2

• With head in profile the dorsal surface of the frontal carina, or the dorsum immediately mesad of the frontal carina, with setae present; usually 2 - 4 along the frontal carina . . . . . 3

2

return to couplet #1

• Median portion of anterior clypeal margin broadly, evenly, shallowly concave; margin of concavity meets the more lateral anterior clypeal margin through a shallow curve on each side. Third gastral tergite with at least one pair of setae present. Eyes located more anteriorly, EPI 62 – 69 (Madagascar) . . . . . Technomyrmex docens

• Median portion of anterior clypeal margin with a conspicuous long U-shaped incision; inner margin of incision meets the more lateral anterior clypeal margin in a distinct angle on each side. Third gastral tergite without setae. Eyes located more posteriorly, EPI 80 or more. (Madagascar; also in Afrotropical region) . . . . . Technomyrmex voeltzkowi

3

return to couplet #1

• With head in profile the dorsum behind the level of the anterior margin of the eye entirely lacks setae (i.e. setae on the dorsal head are restricted to the frontal carinae) . . . . . 4

• With head in profile the dorsum behind the level of the anterior mar8in of the eye with one or more pairs of setae present (i.e. setae on the dorsal head are not restricted to the frontal carinae) . . . . . 6

4

return to couplet #3

• Dorsum of pronotum and declivity of propodeum each with at least one pair of setae present. Gastral tergites 1 - 2 each with numerous conspicuous setae present, the setae relatively long and always distinct . . . . . 5

• Dorsum of pronotum and declivity of propodeum entirely lack setae. Gastral tergites 1 - 2 usually entirely lack setae; rarely one or both may have a single short pair. (Madagascar) . . . . . Technomyrmex curiosus

5

return to couplet #4

• Scape relatively short and promesonotum relatively short and broad, SI 91 - 102, DTI 110 - 124. Eye somewhat smaller, OI 24 - 27. With mesosoma in absolute profile the mesonotal dorsal outline convex, more or less evenly rounded. In same view the junction of the propodeal dorsum and declivity is blunt. (Tramp species: Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles Is; Rodrigues I., Reunion I., Chagos Archipelago) . . . . . Technomyrmex albipes

• Scape relatively long and promesonotum relatively long and narrow, SI 104 – 115, DTI 128 - 141. Eye somewhat larger, OI 29 - 32. With mesosoma in absolute profile the mesonotal dorsal outline with a more or less flat anterior section that passes through an obtuse angle to a distinctly more strongly sloped posterior declivity. In same view the junction of the propodeal dorsum and declivity sharply defined. (Tramp species: Seychelles Is, Reunion I.) . . . . . Technomyrmex vitiensis

6

return to couplet #3

• Propodeal declivity without projecting marginal setae that arise above the level of the spiracle; either setae are entirely absent or they arise directly behind the spiracle or from below the level of the spiracle . . . . . 7

• Propodeal declivity with projecting marginal setae that arise conspicuously above the level of the spiracle; setae rarely also arise directly behind the spiracle or below the level of the spiracle . . . . . 9

7

return to couplet #6

• With propodeum in absolute profile the dorsum relatively short: straight-line length of dorsum less than depth of declivity to the spiracle. Lateral margin of propodeal declivity without projecting setae. Smaller (HW 0.52 0.59), dull yellow species. (Madagascar) . . . . . Technomyrmex fisheri

• With propodeum in absolute profile the dorsum relatively long: straight-line length of dorsum at least as great as depth of declivity to the spiracle. Lateral margin of propodeal declivity with one or more projecting setae present (in abraded specimens setal pits may be visible). Larger (HW 0.60 - 0.90), not dull yellow species . . . . . 8

8

return to couplet #7

• In profile the propodeal dorsum rounds broadly and evenly into the declivity. Eyes located more anteriorly, EPI 50 - 60. Pronotum with several pairs of minute setae, their length less than half the maximum diameter of the eye. Setae on first gastral tergite sparse and minute, their length less than half the maximum diameter of the eye. Full adult colour of head reddish, the gaster dark brown and the femora and tibiae yellow to brownish yellow. (Madagascar) . . . . . Technomyrmex anterops

• In profile the propodeal dorsum meets the declivity in a blunt angle. Eyes located more posteriorly EPI 72 – 82. Pronotum with a single pair of setae, their length just less than the maximum diameter of the eye. Setae on first gastral tergite distinct, their length much greater than half the maximum diameter of the eye. Full adult colour of head blackish brown to black, the gaster about the same colour and the femora and tibiae about the same or only slightly lighter. (Madagascar) . . . . . Technomyrmex mayri

9

return to couplet #6

• Full adult colour of head, mesosoma and usually also gaster yellow to light brownish yellow (gaster may be somewhat infuscated with respect to mesosoma). With head in profile a seta present on dorsum at level of anterior margin of eye and another at or close to level of posterior margin of eye . . . . . 10

• Full adult colour of head, mesosoma and gaster dark brown to black. With head in profile a seta present on dorsum at level of anterior margin of eye but without a seta at or close to level of posterior margin of eye . . . . . 11

10

return to couplet #9

• Mesonotum with 2 - 4 pairs of setae (usually 2), lateral margins of propodeal declivity with 2 3 pairs of setae (setal pits very conspicuous); the posterior mesonotal pair and those on the declivity are as long as the setae on the pronotum. In dorsal view the metathoracic spiracles are very close to, or abut, the metanotal groove; distance separating them is less than the diameter of the metathoracic spiracle. (Madagascar, Comoro Is) . . . . . Technomyrmex madecassus

• Mesonotum with 1 pair of short setae, lateral margins of propodeal declivity with 1 pair of short setae (setal pits inconspicuous); both pairs much shorter than the setae on the pronotum. In dorsal view the metathoracic spiracles are widely separated from the metanotal groove; distance separating them is at least equal to the diameter of the metathoracic spiracle. (Madagascar) . . . . . Technomyrmex innocens

11

return to couplet #9

• Tarsus of hind leg distinctly much lighter in colour than the femur and tibia; femur and tibia about the same colour as the mesosoma and gaster. Dorsum of head behind level of posterior margin of eye usually with a single pair of setae, located about two-thirds the way between the level of the posterior margin of the eye and the posterior margin of the head. Eyes located somewhat more posteriorly, EPI 72 - 86. Mesosoma slightly more elongate, DTI 127 - 135. (Tramp species: Madagascar) . . . . . Technomyrmex difficilis

• Tarsus of hind leg the same colour as the femur and tibia; entire leg distinctly higher than the mesosoma and gaster. Dorsum of head behind level of posterior margin of eye with two pairs of very short, inconspicuous setae; first pair located about two-thirds the way between the level of the posterior margin of the eye and the posterior margin of the head; second pair at the posterior margin. Eyes located somewhat more anteriorly, EPI 55 - 71. Mesosoma slightly shorter and broader, DTI 120 - 128. (Tramp species: Madagascar, Rodriguez L, Mauritius, Reunion I., Farquhar Atoll) . . . . . Technomyrmex pallipes