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The Ants of
Africa SUBFAMILY PONERINAE - Genus Loboponera |
Contents - Ponerinae - PONERINAE Introduction |
In Tribe PONERINI.
Diagnostic Features
- Separable from Dolioponera
by the second gastral segment with dorsum vaulted, strongly arched and
down-curved posteriorly. Sternite of second gastral segment much
reduced and with a bluntly U-shaped outline in profile, very much
smaller than the tergite. Second gastral segment only slightly larger
than first. Basal angle of mandible angulate, the apical (masticatory)
margin with fewer than 8 teeth.
Listed by Belshaw & Bolton (1994b) as a new genus, with two new species, "currently being described by Prof. W.L. Brown". Finally, Bolton completed the descriptive study initiated by Brown. Thus, Bolton & Brown (2002) has seven previously undescribed species - among them the form I included and illustrated in my ant guide (Taylor, 1976) as Bothroponera species nasica group - and the incorporation of Pachycondyla (Bothroponera) nasica (Santschi).
The Bolton & Brown key is at . The new species, L. nobileae can
be separated from subatra in having longer, denser pilosity on
all dorsal surfaces and denser costate-rugose sculpture.
1 |
Dorsum
of alitrunk and first
gaster segment without erect hairs |
2 |
-- |
Dorsum of alitrunk and first gaster segment without numerous erect hairs | 4 |
2 | ![]() |
Ivory Coast - trica |
-- |
Leading edge of scape with erect hairs; whole body less densely sculptured and quite shiny | 3 |
3 |
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Ghana, Gabon - obeliscata |
-- |
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West Africa - Loboponera politula |
4 |
Dorsum of alitrunk and first
gaster segment without erect hairs |
5 |
-- |
7 | |
5 | ![]() |
West Africa - basalis |
-- |
Base of gaster transverse to
shallowly concave |
6 |
6 | ![]() |
West Africa & Congo Basin - vigilans |
-- | ![]() |
West Africa & Congo Basin - nasica |
7 | ![]() |
Rwanda - edentula |
-- |
Petiole profile broad and lowly
domed; propodeal decilivity with a small but distinct tooth near the
midpoint |
8 |
8 | ![]() |
Cameroun - subatra |
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Gabon - nobileae |
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PONERINAE Introduction |
© 2007, 2012, 2014 - Brian Taylor CBiol FSB FRES 11, Grazingfield, Wilford, Nottingham, NG11 7FN, U.K. |
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