View source for Key to the Anochetus Species of Asia, Melanesia and the Pacific Region

This worker key is based on: Brown, W. L., Jr. 1978. Contributions toward a reclassification of the Formicidae. Part VI. Ponerinae, tribe Ponerini, subtribe Odontomachiti. Section B. Genus ''Anochetus'' and bibliography. Studia Entomologica. 20:549-638. The key also includes an update to the ''rugosus'' group given by: [[Media:Satria, R., Viet, B.T. et al. 2017. New synonymy and redescription of Anochetus mixtus.pdf|Satria, R., Viet, B.T., Eguchi, K. 2017. New synonymy and redescription of ''Anochetus mixtus'' Radchenko, 1993, and distinction from the other members of the ''Anochetus rugosus'' group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Ponerinae). Asian Myrmecology 9: e009006 (DOI 10.20362/am.009006).]]

This key is slightly outdated but is the best available for the genus.  

You may also be interested in
''[[Anochetus]]''
__NOTOC__
==1==
*Mesial edge of mandible for much of its length with a single margin bearing 1 or 2 prominent teeth near midlength, or a close series of coarse dentlcles or teeth on apical half or more <span style="background:#F5F5F5">[[#2|'''. . . . . 2''']]</span>

* Mesial edge of mandible with 2 margins up to preapical tooth or angle: dorsal margin edentate (except for the single preapical tooth or angle, when this is present); ventral margin denticulate, crenulate, or smooth <span style="background:#F5F5F5">[[#8|'''. . . . . 8''']]</span>

==2==
return to [[#1 |couplet #1]]
*Mandible with 2 large submedian teeth on mesial margin, the distal tooth larger than the proximal (Sri Lanka) . . . . . ''[[Anochetus nietneri]]'' 

*Mandible with a single large submedian tooth (New Guinea) <span style="background:#F5F5F5">[[#3|'''. . . . . 3''']]</span>

*Mandible with a close series of 4 or more teeth along the mesial edge  <span style="background:#F5F5F5">[[#4|'''. . . . . 4''']]</span>

==3==
return to [[#2 |couplet #2]]
*Striation of vertex reaching nuchal carina; central part of pronotum striate or rugulose, though the sculpture may sometimes be weak and nearly smooth in the anterior part of the disc; free corners of petiolar node rounded to sub-rectangular (Papua New Guinea) . . . . . ''[[Anochetus fricatus]]'' 
{|
|[[File:A. fricatus hd.jpg|thumb|220px|Head of ''[[Anochetus fricatus]]'' worker]]
|[[File:A. fricatus sd.jpg|thumb|270px|Profile of ''[[Anochetus fricatus]]'' worker]]
|}

*Striation of vertex separated from nuchal carina by a smooth, shining strip; disc of pronotum completely smooth and shining in the middle (except for small, scattered punctures); free corners of petiolar node produced as acute teeth (NE New Guinea) . . . . . ''[[Anochetus chirichinii]]''
{|
|[[File:A. chirichinii MCZ001hd1.jpg|thumb|230px|Head of ''[[Anochetus chirichinii]]'' worker]]
|[[File:A. chirichinii MCZ001sd.jpg|thumb|235px|Profile of ''[[Anochetus chirichinii]]'' worker]]
|}

==4==
return to [[#2 |couplet #2]]
*Apex of petiole produced as a tooth or spine <span style="background:#F5F5F5">[[#5|'''. . . . . 5''']]</span>

*Apex of petiole narrowly rounded, not toothed <span style="background:#F5F5F5">[[#6|'''. . . . . 6''']]</span>

==5==
return to [[#4 |couplet #4]]
*Large species, length (TL) > 8 mm (Celebes, Moluccas) . . . . . ''[[Anochetus gladiator]]'' 
{|
|[[File:Anochetus gladiator casent0902436 h 1 high.jpg|thumb|230px|Head of ''[[Anochetus gladiator]]'' worker]]
|[[File:Anochetus gladiator casent0217505 p 1 high.jpg|thumb|225px|Profile of ''[[Anochetus gladiator]]'' worker]]
|}

*Smaller species, length (TL) < 7 mm (New Guinea: W. Itian) . . . . . ''[[Anochetus variegatus]]''
{|
|[[File:Anochetus variegatus AIC0006-h hef.jpg|thumb|140px|Head of ''[[Anochetus variegatus]]'' worker]]
|[[File:Anochetus variegatus AIC0006-s hal.jpg|thumb|235px|Profile of ''[[Anochetus variegatus]]'' worker]]
|}

==6==
return to [[#4 |couplet #4]]
*pronotal disk entirely coarsely rugose <span style="background:#F5F5F5">[[#6b|'''. . . . . 6b''']]</span>
*Pronotal disc smooth and shiny <span style="background:#F5F5F5">[[#7|'''. . . . . 7''']]</span>

==6b==
return to [[#6 |couplet #6]]
*Dorsum of head in full-face view largely smooth and shiny, but frons distinctly striate obliquely and longitudinally; mesopleuron smooth and shiny; petiolar node with its basal half weakly striate . . . . . ''[[Anochetus mixtus]]''
{|
|[[File:Satria viet et al-2017-A.jpg|thumb|230px|]]
|[[File:Satria viet et al-2017-5 B.jpg|thumb|250px|]]
|}

*Dorsum of head in full-face view largely striated (striation extending to nuchal carina); anterior third of mesopleuron finely sculptured; petiolar node largely coarsely rugose . . . . . ''[[Anochetus rugosus]]'' 
{|
|[[File:Anochetus rugosus casent0281877 h 1 high.jpg|thumb|230px|Head of ''[[Anochetus rugosus]]'' worker]]
|[[File:Anochetus rugosus casent0281877 p 1 high.jpg|thumb|255px|Profile of ''[[Anochetus rugosus]]'' worker]]
|} 

==7==
return to [[#6 |couplet #6]]
*Mandibles longer (MI>60); when head is seen in perfect full-face view, antennal scape surpassing posterior borders of occipital lobes by distinctly more than length of first funicular segment; head narrower (CI<90) . . . . . ''[[Anochetus princeps]]'' 
{|
|[[File:Anochetus princeps casent0217511 h 1 high.jpg|thumb|220px|Head of ''[[Anochetus princeps]]'' worker]]
|[[File:Anochetus princeps casent0217511 p 1 high.jpg|thumb|255px|Profile of ''[[Anochetus princeps]]'' worker]]
|}
*Mandibles shorter (MI<60); when head is seen in perfect full-face view, antennal scape surpassing posterior borders of occipital lobes at most by length of first funicular segment; head wider (CI 90 or more) . . . . . ''[[Anochetus muzziolii]]''
{|
|[[File:Anochetus muzziolii casent0217509 h 1 high.jpg|thumb|220px|Head of ''[[Anochetus muzziolii]]'' worker]]
|[[File:Anochetus muzziolii casent0217509 p 1 high.jpg|thumb|255px|Profile of ''[[Anochetus muzziolii]]'' worker]]
|}

==8==
return to [[#1 |couplet #1]]
*Intercalary tooth of mandibular apex small (sometimes worn to an indistinct tubercle, or even missing completely), rising from the dorsal side of the ventral apical tooth well beyond its mid length (measuring length from crotch with dorsal apical tooth) . . . . . (''risii'' group) <span style="background:#F5F5F5">[[#9|'''. . . . . 9''']]</span>

*Intercalary tooth present; (center of its base) arising from near the base of the ventral apical tooth, or from near its midlength  <span style="background:#F5F5F5">[[#15|'''. . . . . 15''']]</span>

==9==
return to [[#8 |couplet #8]]
*Pronotum sculptured over the entire disc <span style="background:#F5F5F5">[[#10|'''. . . . . 10''']]</span>

*Pronotum smooth and shining over at least the large central part of its disc <span style="background:#F5F5F5">[[#11|'''. . . . . 11''']]</span>

==10==
return to [[#9 |couplet #9]]
*Size large, combined length of head and closed mandibles (HL + ML) > 2.5 mm; frontal striation spread over a wide area of the central vertex (Malaya) . . . . . ''[[Anochetus tua]]'' 
{|
|[[File:Anochetus tua casent0217514 h 1 high.jpg|thumb|150px|Head of ''[[Anochetus tua]]'' worker]]
|[[File:Anochetus tua casent0217514 p 1 high.jpg|thumb|255px|Profile of ''[[Anochetus tua]]'' worker]]
|}

*Size smaller, HL + ML < 2.2 mm; frontal striation confined to the space between frontal carinae (Luzon) . . . . . ''[[Anochetus incultus]]''
{|
|[[File:Anochetus incultus casent0217506 h 1 high.jpg|thumb|180px|Head of ''[[Anochetus incultus]]'' worker]]
|[[File:Anochetus incultus casent0217506 p 1 high.jpg|thumb|255px|Profile of ''[[Anochetus incultus]]'' worker]]
|}

==11==
return to [[#9 |couplet #9]]
*Very slender, elongate, CI < 83; petiole of particular form; perhaps 2 different species included (Borneo, Malaya) . . . . . ''[[Anochetus agilis]]'' 
{|
|[[File:Anochetus agilis casent0281878 h 1 high.jpg|thumb|180px|Head of ''[[Anochetus agilis]]'' worker]]
|[[File:Anochetus agilis casent0281878 p 1 high.jpg|thumb|265px|Profile of ''[[Anochetus agilis]]'' worker]]
|}

*Head broader; CI > 83; petiolar form otherwise <span style="background:#F5F5F5">[[#12|'''. . . . . 12''']]</span>

==12==
return to [[#11 |couplet #11]]
*Petiolar apex tapered gradually into a slender, spiniform tip (NE New Guinea) . . . . . ''[[Anochetus peracer]]'' 
{|
|[[File:MCZ-ENT00034802 Anochetus peracer hef.jpg|thumb|180px|Head of ''[[Anochetus peracer]]'' worker]]
|[[File:MCZ-ENT00034802 Anochetus peracer hal.jpg|thumb|265px|Profile of ''[[Anochetus peracer]]'' worker]]
|}

*Petiolar apex narrowly rounded or nipple-like, not spiniform <span style="background:#F5F5F5">[[#13|'''. . . . . 13''']]</span>

==13==
return to [[#12 |couplet #12]]
*Center of vertex extensively striate, the striation extending to within 0.2 mm of the nuchal carina (Malaya: Trengganu) . . . . . ''[[Anochetus strigatellus]]''  
{|
|[[File:Anochetus strigatellus casent0902438 h 1 high.jpg|thumb|220px|Head of ''[[Anochetus strigatellus]]'' worker]]
|[[File:Anochetus strigatellus casent0902438 p 1 high.jpg|thumb|255px|Profile of ''[[Anochetus strigatellus]]'' worker]]
|}

*Frontal striation obsolete or restricted to, or nearly to, space between frontal carinae <span style="background:#F5F5F5">[[#14|'''. . . . . 14''']]</span>

==14==
return to [[#13 |couplet #13]]
*Mandibles long (ML > 1 .0 mm; MI > 68); worker eye L > 0.25 mm (SE China, Vietnam, Java) . . . . . ''[[Anochetus risii]]'' 
{|
|[[File:Anochetus risii casent0281886 h 1 high.jpg|thumb|150px|Head of ''[[Anochetus risii]]'' worker]]
|[[File:Anochetus risii casent0281886 p 1 high.jpg|thumb|255px|Profile of ''[[Anochetus risii]]'' worker]]
|}

*Mandibles of medium length (ML 0.70-0.90 mm; MI 57-63); worker eye L 0.16-0.21 mm (Java, Borneo, Philippines. . . . . ''[[Anochetus modicus]]'' 
{|
|[[File:Anochetus modicus casent0217508 h 1 high.jpg|thumb|150px|Head of ''[[Anochetus modicus]]'' worker]]
|[[File:Anochetus modicus casent0217508 p 1 high.jpg|thumb|255px|Profile of ''[[Anochetus modicus]]'' worker]]
|}

*Mandibles short (ML < 0.70 mm; MI about 50) ; worker eye L 0.13-0.14 mm (Mindanao) . . . . . ''[[Anochetus brevis]]''
{|
|[[File:Anochetus brevis casent0902439 h 1 high.jpg|thumb|220px|Head of ''[[Anochetus brevis]]'' worker]]
|[[File:Anochetus brevis casent0902439 p 1 high.jpg|thumb|255px|Profile of ''[[Anochetus brevis]]'' worker]]
|}

==15==
return to [[#8 |couplet #8]]
*As seen from front view, petiolar node tapered to a bluntly pointed (narrowly rounded or even nipple-like) apex (Melanesia and Philippines) . . . . . ''cato'' group  <span style="background:#F5F5F5">[[#16|'''. . . . . 16''']]</span>

*Petiolar node as seen from front view with summit broadly rounded, transverse or concave <span style="background:#F5F5F5">[[#18|'''. . . . . 18''']]</span>

==16==
return to [[#15 |couplet #15]]
*Frontal striation nearly confined to space between frontal carinae, and not or only slightly extending posteriad beyond the level of the compound eyes . . . . . ''isolatus'' superspecies <span style="background:#F5F5F5">[[#17|'''. . . . . 17''']]</span>

*Frontal striation extending over a wide area of central vertex and reaching halfway or more of the distance between level of eyes and posteromedian excision of head (N. Guinea, Bismarck Arch., Solomon Is.) . . . . . ''[[Anochetus cato]]''
{|
|[[File:Anochetus cato castype06977-01 head 1.jpg|thumb|180px|Head of ''[[Anochetus cato]]'' worker]]
|[[File:Anochetus cato castype06977-01 profile 1.jpg|thumb|255px|Profile of ''[[Anochetus cato]]'' worker]]
|}

==17==
return to [[#16 |couplet #16]]
*Body color dark reddish-brown to yellowish brown (in callows?); HL + ML rarely if ever > 3.0 mm (Melanesia, Philippines) . . . . . ''[[Anochetus isolatus]]'' 
{|
|[[File:Anochetus isolatus castype06926-01 head 1.jpg|thumb|220px|Head of ''[[Anochetus isolatus]]'' worker]]
|[[File:Anochetus isolatus castype06926-01 profile 1.jpg|thumb|255px|Profile of ''[[Anochetus isolatus]]'' worker]]
|}

*Head, trunk and node piceous; gaster and appendages reddish-brown; HL + ML slightly > 3.0 mm (Waigeo I., W. Irian; doubtfully distinct from isolatus) . . . . . ''[[Anochetus seminiger]]'' 
{|
|[[File:Anochetus seminiger casent0902443 h 1 high.jpg|thumb|220px|Head of ''[[Anochetus seminiger]]'' worker]]
|[[File:Anochetus seminiger casent0902443 p 1 high.jpg|thumb|255px|Profile of ''[[Anochetus seminiger]]'' worker]]
|}

*Head dark brown or piceous; rest of body light ferruginous to ferruginous yellow; propodeal costulae partly effaced, the surface here smooth and shining (Caroline Is.: Yap) . . . . . ''[[Anochetus splendidulus]]''

==18==
return to [[#15 |couplet #15]]
*Pronotal disc (at least a broad central field) and all of first gastric tergum smooth and shining when clean, with at most fine, spaced punctures  <span style="background:#F5F5F5">[[#19|'''. . . . . 19''']]</span>

*Pronotal disc coarsely striate or punctate-rugulosej smooth interspaces, if any narrow and usually coarsely punctate; first gastric tergum rugulose, .striate or smooth, with or without coarse punctures <span style="background:#F5F5F5">[[#25|'''. . . . . 25''']]</span>

==19==
return to [[#18 |couplet #18]]
*Modest- or small-sized, lightly pigmented species with reduced eyes: comp0und eye L < 0.15 mm. their greatest diameter < maximum W of a mandible <span style="background:#F5F5F5">[[#20|'''. . . . . 20''']]</span>

*Larger species with large eyes: eye L > 0.25 mm and > maximum W of a mandible <span style="background:#F5F5F5">[[#24|'''. . . . . 24''']]</span>

==20==
return to [[#19 |couplet #19]]
*Propodeal angles produced as a pair of short teeth or tubercles <span style="background:#F5F5F5">[[#21|'''. . . . . 21''']]</span>

*Propodeal angles rounded. Unarmed; trunk with sculpture effaced smooth and shining, except for the delicately cross-striate propodeal declivity (W. Iran) . . . . . ''[[Anochetus evansi]]''
{|
|[[File:Anochetus evansi casent0902460 h 1 high.jpg|thumb|180px|Head of ''[[Anochetus evansi]]'' worker]]
|[[File:Anochetus evansi casent0902460 p 1 high.jpg|thumb|255px|Profile of ''[[Anochetus evansi]]'' worker]]
|}

==21==
return to [[#20 |couplet #20]]
*HL + ML > 1.55 mm <span style="background:#F5F5F5">[[#22|'''. . . . . 22''']]</span>

*HL + ML < 1.55' mm <span style="background:#F5F5F5">[[#23|'''. . . . . 23''']]</span>

==22==
return to [[#21 |couplet #21]]
*Mesonotal disc > twice as wide as long; mesonotal suture deeply impressed (Malaya: Perak) . . . . . ''[[Anochetus myops]]'' 
{|
|[[File:Anochetus myops casent0281882 h 1 high.jpg|thumb|220px|Head of ''[[Anochetus myops]]'' worker]]
|[[File:Anochetus myops casent0281882 p 1 high.jpg|thumb|255px|Profile of ''[[Anochetus myops]]'' worker]]
|}

*Mesonotal disc not more than twice as wide as long; meso-metanotal suture distinct .. but not deeply impressed (Sri Lanka) . . . . . ''[[Anochetus longifossatus]]''
{|
|[[File:Anochetus longifossatus casent0281880 h 1 high.jpg|thumb|180px|Head of ''[[Anochetus longifossatus]]'' worker]]
|[[File:Anochetus longifossatus casent0281880 p 1 high.jpg|thumb|255px|Profile of ''[[Anochetus longifossatus]]'' worker]]
|}

==23==
return to [[#21 |couplet #21]]
*Tiny species: HL + ML < 1 .25 mm; mesonotal disc > twice as wide as long (S India) . . . . . ''[[Anochetus pupulatus]]'' 
{|
|[[File:Anochetus pupulatus casent0217512 h 1 high.jpg|thumb|220px|Head of ''[[Anochetus pupulatus]]'' worker]]
|[[File:Anochetus pupulatus casent0217512 p 1 high.jpg|thumb|235px|Profile of ''[[Anochetus pupulatus]]'' worker]]
|}

* Slightly larger species: HL + ML of holotype about 1.5 mm; mesonotal disc not > twice as wide as long (Taiwan) . . . . . ''[[Anochetus subcoecus]]''

==24==
return to [[#19 |couplet #19]]
*Petiolar node axially compressed above; anterior slope concave, and summit rather bluntly rounded as seen from the side, but strongly transverse aa seen from above; body with very numerous short, fine, erect hairs; appressed pubescence scarcely developed on head, trunk, petiole and gaster; in full-face view of head, antennal sea pes surpass posterior borders of (occipital lobes by at least an apical scape width (S India: Madras State) . . . . . ''[[Anochetus rufus]]'' 
{|
|[[File:Anochetus rufus casent0902447 h 1 high.jpg|thumb|200px|Head of ''[[Anochetus rufus]]'' worker]]
|[[File:Anochetus rufus casent0902447 p 1 high.jpg|thumb|255px|Profile of ''[[Anochetus rufus]]'' worker]]
|}

*Petiolar node thick, erect, barrel-shaped; anterior slope convex, summit broadly rounded in both directions and only slightly broader than long; body with few or no erect hairs, except for those on apex and underside of gaster (0-9 standing hairs on trunk and first gastric tergum), but with abundant and conspicuous appressed pubescence; when head is viewed full-face, antennal scapes do not reach, or at least do not distinctly surpass, posterior borders of occipital lobes (W peninsular India; see also key to species of Africa, etc.) . . . . . ''[[Anochetus sedilloti]]''
{|
|[[File:Anochetus sedilloti sam-hym-c002796 head 1.jpg|thumb|160px|Head of ''[[Anochetus sedilloti]]'' worker]]
|[[File:Anochetus sedilloti sam-hym-c002796 profile 1.jpg|thumb|265px|Profile of ''[[Anochetus sedilloti]]'' worker]]
|}

==25==
return to [[#18 |couplet #18]]
*Petiolar node as seen from the side thin, tapered to a very narrowly rounded, or even sharp, apex; scale-like part near its base not more than 0.20 mm long . . . . . ''graeffei'' group <span style="background:#F5F5F5">[[#26|'''. . . . . 26''']]</span>

*Petiolar node as seen from the side thick, with broadly rounded summit, and L > 0.25 mm near base of erect part of node . . . . . ''orientalis'' group  <span style="background:#F5F5F5">[[#27|'''. . . . . 27''']]</span>

==26==
return to [[#25 |couplet #25]]
*HL + ML < 1.75 mm; eye L maximum 0.20 mm, usually much less (see key to Australian species; India to Melanesia, N & E Australia and S Polynesia) . . . . . ''[[Anochetus graeffei]]'' 
{|
|[[File:Anochetus graeffei casent0172373 head 1.jpg|thumb|190px|Head of ''[[Anochetus graeffei]]'' worker]]
|[[File:Anochetus graeffei casent0172373 profile 1.jpg|thumb|255px|Profile of ''[[Anochetus graeffei]]'' worker]]
|}

*HL + ML < 1.75 mm; eye L > 0.20 mm; most of vertex smooth and shining, the frontal striation extending only a short distance beyond the level 01 the eyes (Sri Lanka) . . . . . ''[[Anochetus yerburyi]]'' 
{|
|[[File:Anochetus yerburyi casent0281884 h 1 high.jpg|thumb|180px|Head of ''[[Anochetus yerburyi]]'' worker]]
|[[File:Anochetus yerburyi casent0281884 p 1 high.jpg|thumb|255px|Profile of ''[[Anochetus yerburyi]]'' worker]]
|}

*HL + ML 1 .75 mm or more; eye L 0.20 mm or more; frontal striation reaching all the way to nuchal Carina (java), or most of the way (Sikkim, Hainan I.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . problem samples: <large ''graeffei''>, etc.

==27==
return to [[#25 |couplet #25]]
*First gastric tergum densely and more or less opaquely sculptured over at least the anterior hall <span style="background:#F5F5F5">[[#28|'''. . . . . 28''']]</span>

*First gastric tergum smooth and shining, with only scattered, fine piligerous punctures (Sri Lanka, India) . . . . . ''[[Anochetus madaraszi]]''
{|
|[[File:Anochetus madaraszi casent0281885 h 1 high.jpg|thumb|160px|Head of ''[[Anochetus madaraszi]]'' worker]]
|[[File:Anochetus madaraszi casent0281885 p 1 high.jpg|thumb|255px|Profile of ''[[Anochetus madaraszi]]'' worker]]
|}

==28==
return to [[#27 |couplet #27]]
*Anterodorsal margin of petiolar node slightly produced anteriad, overhanging the anterior slope, which tends to be concave, trunk red; first gastric tergum black or piceous, coarsely punctate-striate and opaque to near posterior border (SW India) . . . . . ''[[Anochetus kanariensis]]'' 
{|
|[[File:Anochetus kanariensis casent0902448 h 1 high.jpg|thumb|180px|Head of ''[[Anochetus kanariensis]]'' worker]]
|[[File:Anochetus kanariensis casent0902448 p 1 high.jpg|thumb|255px|Profile of ''[[Anochetus kanariensis]]'' worker]]
|}

*Anterodorsal margin of petiolar node broadly rounded, like posterodorsal margin; anterior slope of node convex or straight as seen from the side trunk, petiole and gaster piceous or blackish, often with bluish opalescence, the first gastric tergum with punctate-rugulose sculpture thinning to nearly smooth and shining on posterior half or third of the segment

-(S Vietnam) . . . . . ''[[Anochetus orientalis]]'' 
{|
|[[File:Anochetus orientalis casent0915494 h 1 high.jpg|thumb|180px|Head of ''[[Anochetus orientalis]]'' worker]]
|[[File:Anochetus orientalis casent0915494 p 1 high.jpg|thumb|255px|Profile of ''[[Anochetus orientalis]]'' worker]]
|}

-(S India) . . . . . ''[[Anochetus obscurior]]''  
{|
|[[File:Anochetus obscurior casent0281883 h 1 high.jpg|thumb|180px|Head of ''[[Anochetus obscurior]]'' worker]]
|[[File:Anochetus obscurior casent0281883 p 1 high.jpg|thumb|255px|Profile of ''[[Anochetus obscurior]]'' worker]]
|}

(The distinction between ''orientalis'' and ''obscurior'', if any, is not clear, and the two may well be synonymous)

[[Category:Identification key|Anochetus]][[Category:Anochetus]].