Pachycondyla apicalis

Wild, A. L., 2005, Taxonomic revision of the Pachycondyla apicalis species complex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)., Zootaxa 834, pp. 1-25 : 4-5

Diagnosis of the Pachycondyla apicalis species complex

Worker ants can be determined to belong to the apicalis complex by the following combination of character states. The most salient diagnostic features are italicized.

Head in full-face view longer than broad (CI 0.70-.86), lateral margins slightly convex, posterior margin slightly convex to slightly concave. Eyes large and located near longitudinal mid-point of head, bulging out conspicuously past lateral margins in full-face view. Integument anterior to eye with a distinct carina running from inner margin of eye to lateral clypeal margin. Clypeus with a broadly convex anterior margin. Mandibles elongate-triangular, nearly as long as head length; bearing 11-15 teeth along masticatory margin; lateral margins slightly concave in dorsal view; and the dorsal surface finely striate proximally, becoming smooth distally. Antennal scape variable in length (SI 1.10-1.59), but always clearly surpassing posterior margin of head in full-face view.

Pronotum with dorsal and lateral faces meeting at a blunt angle. Propodeum depressed slightly below level of mesonotum in lateral view; propodeal spiracle elongate, slit-like.

Petiole of varying shape, but always with a broadly convex anterior surface reaching an apex near midpoint of node. Petiole taller than declivitous face of propodeum (PH 1.12-1.78 mm), and usually about 3/4 as long as tall.

Integument of body and appendages satiny and opaque; surface with a finely punctate sculpture and a dense, fine pubescence. Standing pilosity sparse, usually absent on mesosomal dorsum and on petiolar node (rarely 1-2 erect setae in apicalis ). Body color dark brown to black. Mandibles, tarsi, and antennal funiculus often lighter in color.

In addition to the morphological characters listed above, ants of the P. apicalis-complex in the field display a characteristic and immediately recognizable behavior, running erratically over the ground rapidly flicking their antennae in a manner similar to many wasps. This latter character appears to be a reliable field marker as most other Pachycondyla species display the more sedate antennal movements typical of most Formicidae.

Key to workers of the Pachycondyla apicalis species complex

1 Antennal scape relatively short (SL usually <2.3 mm), shorter than head length; hypopygium densely pubescent in area adjacent to sting (Fig. 8); apical antennomeres light brown to dark brown, never bright yellow ........................................ obscuricornis

- Antennal scape relatively long (SL> 2.3 mm), longer than head length; hypopygium with moderate to sparse pubescence on area adjacent to sting (Fig. 7); apical antennomere color variable ........................................................................................................ 2

2 Posterolateral edges of petiole marginate (Fig. 9); petiolar node low (PH <1.35 mm); head narrow in full-face view (HW <1.9 mm); size relatively small (WL 3.4-4.1 mm); apical 3-6 antennomeres light to dark brown ............................................ verenae

- Posterolateral edges of petiole usually not marginate (Fig. 10); petiolar node higher (PH> 1.35 mm); head broad in full-face view (HW> 1.9 mm); size relatively large (WL 3.9-5.2 mm); apical 3-6 antennomeres usually bright yellow ................... apicalis