Subfamily Paraponerinae Emery, 1901

Figs 1, 2C, 3C, 4D, 13 C–D

Diagnosis

The hatchet-shaped petiole (Fig. 4D) and the morphology of abdominal sternum IX are both globally unique among the Formicidae . The ninth abdominal sternum of Paraponera is strongly produced posteriorly as an apically bidentate linear process.These characters may be supplemented by the following combination: mandibles triangular, unidentate; clypeus well-developed, antennal toruli situated distant from anterior clypeal margin; antenna 13-merous; meso- and metatibiae with two ventroapical spurs each; eight closed cells present on forewing; jugal lobe present; petiolar tergum and sternum distinct; abdominal segment IV pre- and postsclerites separated by cinctus; abdominal tergum IV not vaulted; abdominal tergum VIII not spiniform.

Comment

One species of the Paraponerinae is extant, Paraponera clavata . This species dwells in rainforests and is known from Honduras through Central America into tropical South America.