Ectatomminae, Emery, 1895

Camacho, G P, Franco, W, Branstetter, M G, Pie, M R, Longino, J T, Schultz, T R & Feitosa, R M, 2022, UCE Phylogenomics Resolves Major Relationships Among Ectaheteromorph Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Ectatomminae, Heteroponerinae): A New Classification For the Subfamilies and the Description of a New Genus, Insect Systematics and Diversity 6 (1), pp. 6-6 : 15-17

Key to the Ectatomminae Genera

1. Cephalic median longitudinal carina present, extending from the anterior clypeal margin to the vertex ( Fig. 4A ). Metapleural gland orifice simple, directed posteriorly or laterally (tribe Heteroponerini ) .................................................................. 2

- Cephalic median longitudinal carina absent or not extending from the anterior clypeal margin to the vertex ( Fig. 4B, C). Metapleural gland orifice forming an oblique curved slit bounded below by a convex rim of cuticule that directs the orifice dorsally to posterodorsally (tribe Ectatommini ) ..................................................................................... 5

2(1). Median portion of clypeus modified, raised as a short, blunt triangular point projecting from the antennal insertions to the mandible. Antennal scrobe wide and very deep (exclusively Paleartic) (known only by queens) ..................... Aulacopone

- Median portion of clypeus not raised, not or only to a small extent covering the mandible. Antennal scrobe deep to absent ............................................................................................ 3

3(2). Tarsal claws with a prominent basal lobe and a long preapical tooth. Propodeum armed with prominent spines (exclusively Neotropical).................................................. Acanthoponera

- Tarsal claws simple, without a prominent basal lobe or preapical tooth. Propodeum generally angled or with small rhomboidal teeth at most .................................................... 4

4(3). In frontal view, mandible subfalcate, with around four teeth on the masticatory margin. Antennal scrobe absent. Eye drastically reduced, without conspicuous limits between ommatidia (exclusively Neotropical) ................................ Boltonia

- In frontal view, mandible subtriangular, with six to eight teeth on the masticatory margin. Antennal scrobe shallowly to deeply impressed. Eye well-developed, with clear limits between ommatidia (Neotropical and Australian) ..................... ........................................................................ Heteroponera

5(1). Pronotum usually with 2 or 3 tubercles. Mesonotum prominent and clearly differentiated from propodeum, separated by a deep transverse suture ( Fig. 5A ). Apex of anterior tibia in outer lateral view with a seta close to the spur base (exclusively Neotropical) .............................................. Ectatomma

- Pronotum unarmed and without tubercles. Mesonotum not prominent, forming a continuous profile with the propodeum ( Fig. 5B ). Apex of anterior tibia in outer lateral view without a seta close to the spur base; if seta present, then species distribution is exclusively Australasian ....................................... 6

6(5). In dorsal view, pronotum and mesonotum always separated by a distinct suture, so that each tergite forms a separate plate ( Fig. 6A ). Dorsum of posterior coxa never with a lobe or spine. Petiolar sternite tightly attached but never fused to the tergite (exclusively Australasian) ................... Rhytidoponera

- In dorsal view, pronotum and mesonotum usually continuous or separated by a discrete groove ( Fig. 6B ); if a well-impressed promesonotal suture is present (as in Holcoponera and Typhlomyrmex ), then the dorsum of posterior coxa frequently with a lobe or spine. Petiolar sternite fused with tergite over its entire length ........................................................................ 7

7(6). Frontal lobes strongly expanded, entirely covering the antennal insertions ( Fig. 7A ). Second gastral (IV abdominal) sternite strongly reduced in relation to the tergite; dorsal profile of gaster extremely convex, so that the gaster is usually strongly directed ventrally and anterad ( Fig. 8A ). Exclusively Neotropical. .............................................................. Alfaria

- Frontal lobes less developed, only partially covering the antennal insertions ( Fig. 7B ). Second gastral (IV abdominal) sternite not strongly reduced in relation to the tergite; dorsal profile of gaster gently convex, so that the apex of gaster is directed ventrally or posteriorly ( Fig. 8B ). .......................... 8

8(7). Promesonotal suture feebly impressed to absent, never interrupting dorsal mesosomal sculpture ( Fig. 9A, B ) ..........9

- Promesonotal suture well marked, totally interrupting dorsal mesosomal sculpture ( Fig. 9C ) .......................................... 11

9(8). Strictly Indomalayan species .......................... Stictoponera

- Strictly Neotropical species ........................................... 10

10(9). Propodeum rarely armed with denticles or spines. Metacoxal teeth present or absent. Second gastric segment (IV abdominal) relatively less curved ( Fig. 10A ) ......... Gnamptogenys

- Propodeum usuallyarmed with denticlesor spines.Metacoxal teeth generally present. Second gastric segment (IV abdominal) relatively more curved ( Fig. 10B ) ........... Poneracantha

11(8). Eye absent or reduced. Propodeal spiracle separated from posterior face of propodeum by a distance longer than its diameter ( Fig. 11A ). Metacoxal dorsum unarmed or at most with a small lobe or denticle ...................... Typhlomyrmex

- Eye well developed to reduced. Propodeal spiracle close to posterior face of propodeum ( Fig. 11B ). Metacoxal dorsum always with a denticle or lobe ....................... Holcoponera

Figures

Fig. 4. Dorsal view of head,showing:A) Cephalic median longitudinal carina present, extending from the anterior clypeal margin to the vertex (Acanthoponera minor—CASENT0178699); B) Cephalic median longitudinal carina not extending from the anterior clypeal margin to the vertex (Ectatomma tuberculatum— CASENT0173380); C) Cephalic median longitudinal carina absent (Holcoponera striatula—CASENT0173386). Photos by April Nobile; available from www. antweb.org (Antweb 2021).

Fig. 5. Lateral view of pronotum, showing: A) Pronotal tubercles present; mesonotum prominent, separated from propodeum by a deep transversal suture (Ectatomma tuberculatum—CASENT0173380); B) Pronotal tubercles or projections absent; mesonotum not prominent, forming a continuous profile with propodeum (Holcoponera striatula—CASENT0173386).Photos by April Nobile; available from www.antweb.org (Antweb 2021).

Fig. 6. Dorsal view of pronotum, showing: A) Pronotum and mesonotum separated by a distinct suture (Rhytidoponera abdominalis—CASENT0281333); B) Pronotum and mesonotum continuous with a discrete groove (Gnamptogenys stellae—CASENT0281227). Photos by Cerise Chen (A) and Estella Ortega (B) available from www.antweb.org (Antweb 2021).

Fig. 7. Frontal view of head, showing: A) Expanded frontal lobes (Alfaria falcifera—CASENT0179971); B) Occipital lobes absent (Gnamptogenys continua— CASENT0173383). Photos by Erin Prado (A) and April Nobile (B); available from www.antweb.org (Antweb 2021).

Fig. 8. Lateral view of gaster, showing: A) Second gastral (IV abdominal) sternite not strongly reduced in relation to the tergite; dorsal profile of gaster gently convex, so that the apex of gaster is only discretely directed ventrally (Gnamptogenys acuminata—USNMENT00441095); B) Second gastral (IV abdominal) sternite strongly reduced in relation to the tergite; dorsal profile of gaster extremely convex, so that the gaster is strongly directed ventrally and anterad (Alfaria minuta—CASENT0281213). Photos by Jeffrey Sosa-Calvo (A) and Estella Ortega (B); available from www.antweb.org (Antweb 2021).

Fig. 9. Dorsal view of mesosoma, showing: A) Promesonotal suture absent (Gnamptogenys acuminata—USNMENT00441095); B) Promesonotal suture feeble, never interrupting dorsal mesosomal sculpture (Poneracantha banksi—INBIOCRI001281007); C) Promesonotal suture well marked, totally interrupting dorsal mesosomal sculpture (Holcoponera moelleri—CASENT0173384). Photos by Jeffrey Sosa-Calvo (A), Estella Ortega (B), and April Nobile (C); available from www. antweb.org (Antweb 2021).

Fig. 10. Lateral view of gaster, showing: A) Second gastric segment (IV abdominal) relatively straight (Gnamptogenys acuminata—USNMENT00441095); B) Second gastric segment (IV abdominal) slightly arched ventrally (Poneracantha mecotyle—CASENT0281530). Photos by Jeffrey Sosa-Calvo (A) and Zach Lieberman (B); available from www.antweb.org (Antweb 2021).

Fig. 11. Lateral view of propodeum, showing: A) Propodeal spiracle separated from declivity margin by a distance longer than its diameter (Typhlomyrmex lavra); B) Propodeal spiracle close to the declivous face of propodeum (Holcoponera relicta—USNMENT00412058).Photos by Gabriela Camacho (A) and Jeffrey Sosa-Calvo; available from www.antweb.org (Antweb 2021).