Key to Notoncus Species

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The following key to species of Notoncus is based on Brown (1955[1]) and Taylor (1992[2]).

1

  • Scutellum enlarged and projecting dorsally as a rounded or oval process, or as an erect scale or tooth, from the region between the mesonotum and propodeum; humeri strongly developed and angulate => 2

Notoncus capitatus ANIC32-018938 w2side CAS0172025-Antwiki.jpg Notoncus ectatommoides ANIC32-018812 w1 side CAS0172023-Antwiki.jpg

  • Scutcllum absent, or at best not sharply differentiated and not forming any kind of prominent process projecting dorsad (in some workers of N.hickmani, the metanotal spiracles may be connected by a low ridge); humeri rounded, not projecting to any marked extent => 3

Notoncus spinisquamis ANIC32-029071 side 12.5-Antwiki.jpg

2

  • Scutellum in the form of a slender, erect process, the apex of which may be in the form of a chisel point, an emarginate chisel point, a Y, a thick, pointed tooth, or some intermediate shape => Notoncus ectatommoides

Notoncus ectatommoides ANIC32-018812 w1 side CAS0172023-Antwiki.jpg

  • Scutellum in the form of a thick, rounded tumulus or oval process => 4

Notoncus capitatus ANIC32-018938 w2side CAS0172025-Antwiki.jpg

3

  • Large, slender species with long appendages, the antennal scapes much longer than (usually at least 1.2x) the length of the head proper, including clypeus => Notoncus spinisquamis

Notoncus spinisquamis ANIC32-029071 head 16-Antwiki.jpg

  • Smaller, more robust species, the antennal scapes rarely, if ever, longer than the head proper, including clypeus, and usually shorter => Notoncus hickmani

Notoncus hickmani ANIC32-017999 head 32-Antwiki.jpg

4

  • Propodeum at most very finely and superficially sculptured, essentially smooth and shiny; dorsum of gaster with only extremely sparse punctulation and appressed pubescence; mandibles very finely striate over most of dorsal surfaces (less so near insertions) => Notoncus gilberti

Notoncus gilberti syntype ANIC32-019041 w2 side CAS0172022-Antwiki.jpg

  • Propodeum distinctly, widely and rather coarsely striate, and largely subopaque throughout; dorsum of gaster generally densely punctulate (weakly so in some individuals) and with dense appressed pubescence; mandibles largely smooth and shining above, with coarse punctures => 5

Notoncus capitatus ANIC32-018938 w2side CAS0172025-Antwiki.jpg

5

  • Smaller species, maximum head width less than 1.6 mm; appressed pubescence present on all body tagmata, almost as thick on propodeum as on gaster, with density otherwise diminishing cephalad; head and mesosoma relatively finely sculptured, individual cephalic striae narrower than the diameter of an eye facet; propodeum rounded => Notoncus capitatus

Notoncus capitatus ANIC32-018938 w2head CAS0172025-Antwiki.jpg

  • Larger species, maximum head width exceeding 1.9 mm; appressed pubescence almost entirely restricted to gaster; head and mesosoma much more coarsely sculptured, individual cephalic striae clearly wider than an eye facet; propodeum angular => Notoncus enormis

Notoncus enormis ANIC32-018829 head 25-Antwiki.jpg

References

  1. Brown, W.L., Jr. (1955) A revision of the Australian ant genus Notoncus Emery, with notes on the other genera of Melophorini. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, 113, 471–494.
  2. Taylor, R. W. (1992). Nomenclature and distribution of some Australian and New Guinean ants of the subfamily Formicinae. Journal of the Australian Entomological Society. 31 : 57–69.