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The Ants of
Africa SUBFAMILY FORMICINAE - Genus Phasmomyrmex |
Contents - Formicinae - FORMICINAE Introduction |
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 .
The subgeneric names, Myrmacantha and Myrmocrhachis 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 (type species Camponotus 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. Myrmorhachis (type species Camponotus polyrhachoides Forel, 1912i: 92, replacement name for Polyrhachis paradoxa André, 1892a: 46; provisional junior synonym of Phasmomyrmex, Brown, 1973b: 182 - e.g. listed as "Myrmacantha Emery 1920 = Phasmomyrmex?").
Wheeler (1922: 701) revived the genus status - alitrunk and petiole without spines or teeth; no marked dimorphism; funiculus filiform; body slender, head rectangular with rounded posterior angles; clypeus flat, without carina or lobe, broadly notched in middle of anterior margin; alitrunk dorsum flat, obtusely margined, with three sutures; pronotum with projecting humeral angles; propodeum truncate posteriorly; petiole scale very thick, angulate on the sides of its dorsal face.
Four species - all arboreal, nesting and foraging in trees.
Key to species
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Congo Basin - buchneri |
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West Africa & Congo Basin - aberrans |
-- | ![]() Likely worker shown here is from from Antweb images |
Cameroun - wolfi |
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West Africa & Congo Basin - paradoxus |
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Subfamily Formicinae |
© 2007, 2009, 2010, 2013 - Brian Taylor CBiol FSB FRES 11, Grazingfield, Wilford, Nottingham, NG11 7FN, U.K. |
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