The Ants of Africa
SUBFAMILY FORMICINAE - Genus Phasmomyrmex
Contents - Formicinae - FORMICINAE Introduction

Genus Phasmomyrmex Stitz (1910: 146)

In Tribe CAMPONOTINI.

Diagnostic Features - Monomorphic. Insertions of antennae, form of frontal carinae and eyes as in Camponotus. Clypeus with median portion broadly and shallowly excised. Pronotum with anterodorsal angles projecting as short teeth, or the sides strongly marginate. Metanotal groove impressed, the propodeum truncated posteriorly and usually unarmed. Petiole nodiform and extended into at least a short dorsolateral tooth on each side. Acidopore circular, not concealed. Stitz's (1910) genus definition (as a Dolichoderine) is at {original description}.

The subgeneric names are as in Bolton (1995), although such subdivision seems unnecessary in a genus with only four known species. Myrmacantha was described by Emery (1920b: 246) as a new subgenus of Camponotus, with the head obtusely truncate anteriorly; alitrunk wide and shouldered, or with the pronotum rounded (aberrans) where the petiole scale has lateral extensions; propodeum unique (for Camponotus). Emery (1925b: 58) changed the status to a subgenus of Phasmomyrmex. Emery (1920b: 252) had supported the Stitz definition of Phasmomyrmex for the single species buchneri.

Four species - all arboreal, nesting and foraging in trees.

Key to species

1 {short description of image}Petiole with rounded apex in lateral view and simple lateral processes; entire body with yellowish pubescence; entirely matt black, with reddish extremities; TL 12 mm buchneri
-- {short description of image}Petiole with lateral processes bifurcate; gaster without significant pubescence; black with orange extremities, shiny; TL 5.9-7.5 mm aberrans
-- {short description of image}Petiole with narrow scale, convex in front and rear, laterally armed with two short divergent spines; only gaster with quite dense yellow-gold pubescence, masking underlying dark colour; TL 7 mm paradoxus
-- Queen only known; apparently somewhat similar to the queen of aberrans but more subtly sculptured, with the gaster unsculptured wolfi
Contents Subfamily Formicinae
© 2007 - Brian Taylor CBiol FIBiol FRES
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