Nylanderia

Lapolla, John S., Hawkes, Peter G. & Fisher, Brian L., 2011, Monograph of Nylanderia (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of the World, Part I: Nylanderia in the Afrotropics, Zootaxa 3110, pp. 10-36 : 13

Key to Afrotropical Nylanderia workers

*These species are thought to be introduced species to the Afrotropical region. The species boundaries of bourbonica and vaga are poorly defined and are being revised by JSL and others. One species, N. vividula , is reported from the Afrotropics, but we have not seen specimens of this species from the region. Males would be particularly useful because they have distinctive genitalia, unlike any African species. We include this species in the key because past reports have noted its presence in the Afrotropics.

1. Dorsal face of propodeum much shorter than declivitous face; in lateral view, propodeum lower than remainder of dorsum, dorsally angular or gently rounded (figs. 2, 5, 17, 41, 47, 59, 62, 65, & 68)....................................... 2

- Dorsal face of propodeum distinctly rounded, about the same length as declivitous face; in lateral view, propodeum higher than or equal to remainder of dorsum, dorsally dome-like (figs. 8, 11, 14, 26, 35, 38 & 50).............................. 10

2. Fewer than 10 erect macrosetae present on each scape (fig. 88)......................................... vividula *

- More than 10 erect macrosetae present on each scape......................................................... 3

3. Dark brown color overall............................................................................... 4

- Lighter yellow brown color overall........................................................................ 6

4. Mesopleuron with a dense layer of pubescence (fig. 5)............................................. bourbonica *

- Mesopleuron either without or with sparse pubescence (figs. 59 & 65)............................................ 5

5. Dorsal face of propodeum gently rounded in profile; antennae and legs only slightly lighter than remainder of body... vaga *

- Dorsal face of propodeum very short with straight margin in profile; antennae and legs distinctly whitish-brown, sharply con- trasting with remainder of body.................................................................... umbella

6. Dorsal face of propodeum very short and angular (figs. 2 and 47)................................................ 7

- Dorsal face of propodeum gently rounded and convex (figs. 17, 41, and 62)....................................... 8

7. Mesocoxae and metacoxae lighter than procoxae........................................................ boltoni

- Mesocoxae and metacoxae the same color as procoxae.................................................. scintilla

8. Macrosetae on pronotum abundant (PMC = 10–22); macrosetae on head, mesosoma and legs dark, contrasting strongly with the much lighter cuticle........................................................................ usambarica

- Macrosetae on pronotum not particularly abundant (PMC = 3–10); macrosetae on head, mesosoma and legs about the same color as cuticle........................................................................................ 9

9**. Southern Africa ( Botswana, South Africa, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe)................................. natalensis

- Eastern, northern and western Africa........................................................... jaegerskioeldi

10. Entire body dark brown, except for sharply contrasting, almost white protrochanters, mesocoxae and metacoxae......... 11

- Body color variable, but if dark brown then mesocoxae and metacoxae are the same color as mesosoma................ 12

11. Head and mesopleuron cuticle smooth to sometimes slightly rugulose; head length between 0.53–0.68 mm; scape length between 0.60–0.81 mm ............................................................................ lepida

- Head and mesopleuron cuticle distinctly rugulose; head length 0.70–0.80 mm; scape length between 0.91–0.98 mm ...................................................................................................... impolita

12. Gastral cuticular surface with distinct striations running lengthwise on dorsum (fig. 39); lateral portions of pronotum rugulose (fig. 38)...................................................................................... mendica

- Gastral cuticular surface smooth or with faint gastral cuticle striations; lateral portions of pronotum smooth............. 13

13. Mesosomal macrosetae very short (fig. 8)......................................................... brevisetula

- Mesosomal macrosetae not short (fig. 14, 35, & 50)......................................................... 14

14. Body yellow, contrasting with darker erect setae, especially noticeable on the gaster........................... luteafra

- Body color variable, but erect setae not conspicuously darker than remainder of body............................... 15

15. Head, mesosoma and gaster a solid dark reddish-brown; scape length between 0.95–1.04 mm .................... silvula

- Head, mesosoma and gaster yellowish-brown; scape length between 0.74–0.8 mm ........................... incallida