Cyphoidris

Bolton, B., 1981, A revision of six minor genera of Myrmicinae (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the Ethiopian zoogeographical region., Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History) Entomology 43, pp. 245-307 : 256-257

CYPHOIDRIS Weber

(Figs 15 - 17)

Cyphoidris Weber, 1952: 26. Type-species: Cyphoidris spinosa Weber , loc. cit.; by original designation.

Diagnosis of worker. Monomorphic myrmicine ants. Mandibles triangular with an elongate apical (masticatory) margin bearing 10 - 14 small teeth or denticles which decrease in size from apex to base. Palp formula 4, 3. Median portion of clypeus narrow and raised, bicarinate above and narrowly inserted between the frontal lobes. Lateral portions of clypeus unmodified, not forming a shield-wall or raised ridge in front of the antennal insertions. Frontal lobes not strongly expanded but covering the antennal insertions, prolonged posteriorly as a pair of strongly developed frontal carinae which form the dorsal margins of a pair of strong and conspicuous broad scrobes; the scrobes run back almost to the occiput. Ventral margin of scrobe a longitudinal ridge or ruga running above the eye, the latter of moderate size and situated in front of the midlength of the sides. Antennae 11 - segmented, with a conspicuous 3 - segmented club apically. Alitrunk in profile with promesonotum fused and swollen, the dorsum dome-like and strongly convex in outline, much elevated above the level of the propodeum. Propodeum bispinose; the spiracle close to the margin of the declivity, the orifice circular and directed posteriorly. Metapleural lobes low and triangular. Petiole with an elongate anterior peduncle and well developed node. Sting terminating in a narrow spatulate appendage apically.

An easily defined genus, Cyphoidris is the only African representative of a group of genera centring on Lordomyrma Emery, most of which have an Indo-Australian or Neotropic distribution. Cyphoidris is close to Lordomyrma itself but differs as the latter has 12 - segmented antennae, a reduced palpomere count, and has the propodeal spiracle set well forward from the margin of the declivity. Of the known species of Cyphoidris , exalta and spinosa are of Central African origin and inhabit the leaf litter layer; parissa originates in West Africa, and werneri is the only known East African representative of the genus.