Ponera species

Csősz, Sándor, Loss, Ana C. & Fisher, Brian L., 2023, Exploring the diversity of the Malagasy Ponera (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) fauna via integrative taxonomy, Organisms Diversity & Evolution (New York, N. Y.) 23 (4), pp. 917-927 : 922

Key to workers of the Malagasy Ponera species

1. Dark brown species ( Fig. 3A–C ). The largest species in the region, head width (CWb):> 400 µm [447, 478].

… adumbrans sp. n.

– Workers yellow to light brown ( Figs. 4A–C and 5A– C ). Small species (CWb): <400 µm [291, 339]…2 2. Anterolateral and posterior surface of petiolar node meet in rounded transition ( Fig. 4C ). Larger species (CWb): 333 µm [323, 339]. Scape longer (SL/PEL): 1.99 [1.86, 2.09], [5–95% percentiles: 1.92, 2.08] … petila Wilson (1957) .

Posterior surface of petiolar node bearing a ridge or fine vertical carina demarcating the posterior and lateral surfaces ( Fig. 5C ). Smaller species (CWb): 306 µm [291, 323]. Scape shorter (SL/PEL): 1.79 [1.68, 1.91], [5–95% percentiles: 1.71, 1.89] … swezeyi ( Wheeler, 1933) .

Figures

Fig. 3 A–C Ponera adum- brans sp. n. paratype worker (CASENT0159966). Head in full-face view (A), dorsal view of the body (B), lateral view of the body (C)

Fig.4 A–C Ponera petila non-type worker (CASENT0059796). Head in full-face view (A), dorsal view of the body (B), lateral view of the body (C)

Fig. 5 A–C Ponera swezeyi non-type worker (CASENT0135035). Head in full-face view (A), dorsal view of the body (B), lateral view of the body (C)