Cerapachyini, Forel, 1893

Bolton, Barry & Fisher, Brian L., 2012, Taxonomy of the cerapachyine ant genera Simopone Forel, Vicinopone gen. n. and Tanipone gen. n. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) 3283, Zootaxa 3283 (1), pp. 1-101 : 8

Key to Malagasy and Afrotropical Cerapachyini genera (workers)

1 Without the combination of all seven characters noted above; in particular the mesotibia always with at least one conspicuous spur and pretarsal claws of the metatarsus lack preapical teeth.................................................. 2

- With the combination of all seven characters noted above; in particular mesotibia always lacks spurs and at least the metatarsal pretarsal claws possess a preapical tooth................................................................... 3

2 Abdomen with conspicuous girdling constrictions between AIV and AV, between AV and AVI, and between AVI and AVII; in each case the constricted portion formed of the presclerites of the more posterior segment. (Afrotropical)............................................................................................. Genus SPHINCTOMYRMEX

- Abdomen without girdling constrictions between AIV and AV, between AV and AVI, and between AVI and AVII. (Afrotropical, Malagasy)............................................................. Genus CERAPACHYS

3 Antenna with 12 segments. Longitudinal glandular groove absent from basal half of ventral surface of metabasitarsus. Tergite of AII (petiole) not marginate laterally in dorsal view. A vertical posterior surface present on the head above the occipital foramen. With head in ventrolateral view the posterolateral marginal carina extends across the ventral surface to the midline.4

- Antenna with 11 segments. Longitudinal glandular groove present on basal half of ventral surface of metabasitarsus. Tergite of AII (petiole) marginate laterally in dorsal view. No vertical posterior surface present on the head above the occipital foramen, instead the vertex slopes evenly down to the foramen. With head in ventrolateral view the posterolateral marginal carina does not extend across the ventral surface to the midline. (Afrotropical, Malagasy)...................... Genus SIMOPONE

4 Ocelli absent. Eyes anterior: posterior margin of eye in front of midlength of head. Palp formula 3,2, the maxillary palp very short; when extended along the ventral surface of the head the apex of the maxillary palp does not reach the posterior margin of the buccal cavity. In dorsal view tergite of AIII (postpetiole) distinctly smaller than tergite of AIV. Posterior half of tergite of AIII without a pair of depressed glandular patches. (Afrotropical)............................. Genus VICINOPONE

- Ocelli present. Eyes posterior: posterior margin of eye well behind midlength of head. Palp formula 6,4, the maxillary palp very long; when extended along the ventral surface of the head the apex of the maxillary palp reaches beyond the level of the posterior margin of the eye. In dorsal view tergites of AIII (postpetiole) and AIV subequal in size. Posterior half of tergite of AIII usually with a pair of depressed glandular patches that are associated with a pale marginal transverse strip or a pair of pale patches. (Malagasy).................................................................... Genus TANIPONE