with vertex straight or only slightly concave; concolorousdark brown, reddish-brown or gray-brown ...........................…………...
21
21(20). Petiole thickened inprofile, without well defined teeth on node; concolorous reddish orferrugineous brown .......…………………....
ferrugineus Forel
- Petiole not thickened inprofile, usually with 2 well-defined teeth on node; usually concolorous darkreddish-brown or grayish-brown ..............……….............
2222(21). Teeth on node of petiole well developed; usually dark reddishbrown; commonly collected .……………............
23
- Teeth on node of petiole notwell developed; usually greyish-brown; uncommonly collected ...........
spuriusForel23(22). Propodeum with pair of angles; head elongate(82 < CI < 85); pronotum punctate .........………...
bidens (Linnaeus)- Propodeum with pair of lobes(Fig. ); head not elongate (CI = 96); pronotum with transverse rugae.………....... ………..…. undescribed species near
bidens
24(17). HL > 1.20 mm........................
25- HL < 1.10 mm........................
28diversus
complex25(24). Scapes with erect hairs; HL > 1.4 mm .....………………………………......
26
- Scapeswithout erect hairs (or with a few appressed hairs); HL < 1.4 mm .................…………………………........
2726(25). Propodeum with small angles connected by carina; petiolar node withcarina or ridge; common, widely distributed (México to Brasil) ……….
diversusEmery- Propodeum with large, blunttubercles (Fig. ), not connected by carina; petiolar node blunt, truncate in profile(Fig. ); uncommon (Colombia)..
laurae Mackay27(25). Scapes without standing or appressed hair;commonly collected .......... .……………....…….......
lutosus (F. Smith)- Scapes with appressed hairs;rarely collected .……….....
ghilianii Emery
debilis
complex27(24). Concolorous brown; scape without erect hairs;relatively commonly collected ........……………....
debilis Emery- Concolorous yellowish-red;scape with erect hairs; rarely collected .............. …….........………….......
rufescensMann
Key to the known males of the New World species of Dolichoderus
[ندعوك للتسجيل في المنتدى أو التعريف بنفسك لمعاينة هذا الرابط]:
attelaboidescomplex, couplet 3.
bidenscomplex, couplet 12.
bispinosuscomplex, couplet 15.
debiliscomplex, couplet 26.
decollatuscomplex, couplet 4 (males unkown)
diversuscomplex, couplet 8.
imitatorcomplex, couplet 2.
laminatuscomplex, couplet 22.
luganscomplex, couplet 6.
quadripunctatuscomplex, couplet 19.
rugosuscomplex, couplet 4.
shattuckicomplex, males unknown.
1. Subgenital plate large, well developed, with2 large fingers or flattened processes (Fig. ) ................………............
2
- Subgenital plate small, poorlydeveloped, consisting at most of only single rounded lobe (Fig. ) ......……………….....
52(1). Subgenital plate formed into 2 elongate fingers (Fig. ) ………………....
3
- Subgenital plate consisting of2 flattened, bidentate processes (Fig. ) (
imitatorcomplex) .....……
imitator Emery3(2). Occipital neck well formed (Fig. ) .....……………….
attelaboides (Fabricius)[ندعوك للتسجيل في المنتدى أو التعريف بنفسك لمعاينة هذا الرابط]- Occipital neck not tubularor elongate .........……………………......
44(3). Petiolar node twice as long as broad ..…………...
rugosus (F. Smith)[ندعوك للتسجيل في المنتدى أو التعريف بنفسك لمعاينة هذا الرابط]
- Petiolar node about as long asbroad .………. unknown males of
decollatusand
fernandezi would probably keyhere
5(1). Digitus of volsella elongateand usually enlarged at apex (Fig. ) ............
6
- Digitus of volsella hook-likeand not elongated (Fig. ) .……………....
14
6(5). Entire body strongly and evenlypunctate ……………….....
lugens Emery
- Sculpture variable ondifferent parts of body ………………………..
7
7(6). HL < 1.06 mm; ocelli projectabove posterior border of head in full face view (Fig. 117) (
diversus complex) .........
8
- HL > 1.06 mm; ocelli do notproject (or only slightly) above posterior border in full face view (Fig. ) (
bidens complex) ………………………………...
12 diversus
complex8(7). Ocelli strongly protruding (Fig. ); scape withsubdecumbant to erect hairs (Fig. xx) ……………………………………….
9- Ocelli not as strongly protruding;scape without erect or even subdecumbant hairs (very rarely 1 - 2 small,subdecumbant hairs) ...……………...
lutosus (F. Smith)
9(. With at least some hairserect on scape (Fig. ); usually concolorous dark brown; relatively common……………...
10
- Mosthairs on scape subdecumbant or appressed (Fig. ); head and mesosoma concolorousyellowish-brown, gaster darker brown; very rarely collected....………………………………………..
11
10(. Propodeum completely rounded atborder of dorsal and posterior faces; entire ventral margin of aedeagus withteeth (Fig. xx); common and widely distributed (Mexicosouth to southern Brazil)..
diversusEmery
-
Propodeum with well-developed tubercles; only posterior halfof aedeagus with teeth (Fig. xx); Colombia …. laurae xx
11(9). Scape subequal in length (orlonger) to length of second funicular segment (Fig. ) .....…....
ghilianiiEmery- Scape about 1/2 length (0.58- 0.59 X length) of second funicular segment (Fig. ) ....... undescribedspecies near
D. ghilianii12(7). Concolorous golden yellow; most surfacesglossy and shining ..………............ ………………..……..
abruptus (F. Smith)
- Concolorous brown; allsurfaces dull ..…………………………….............
13
13(12). Lateral corners of apex ofnode of petiole weakly rounded (Fig. ), area between corners flat or weakly concave;spiracle located low on petiole (Fig. ) ................ ………………………..
bidens(Linnaeus)
- Lateral corners of apex of nodeof petiole more angulate (Fig. ), area between them concave; spiracle locatedhigher on petiole (Fig. ) ..
quadridenticulatus (Roger)
14(5). Digitus of aedeagusterminating in a laterally twisted, flattened plate (Fig. ) (
bispinosus complex) ...................
15
- Digitus of aedeagus usuallyterminating as a sharp, hook-like structure, which is not laterally twisted(Fig. ) .......
18bispinosus
complex15(14). HL < 1.2 mm; México south to Brasil, common……………………........
16- HL > 1.2 mm; Costa Rica south to Colombia; rarely collected ...
validusKempf16(15). Apex ofpetiolar node convex, without angulate corners (Fig. ); uncommon............……………………………......
17
- Apex of petiolar node usuallyconcave; weakly angulate on each corner (occasionally flat and truncate) commonlycollected ..............
bispinosus (Olivier)
17(16). Node of petiolewell-developed, without strongly protruding spiracles (Fig. ).........………………....
mucronifer (Roger)
- Node of petiole low,poorly developed (Fig. xx), petiole with strongly protruding spiracles (Figs. ).............
mesonotalis Forel
18(14). Occurring in North America, primarily in the United States (also state of Nuevo León, México) (
quadripunctatus complex)..........…………………...........
19
- Occurring in Latin America in tropical areas ……………………….......
22
quadripunctatus
complex19(18). First tergum and posterior edge of pronotumwith at least 3 erect or suberect, short hairs; aedeagus with five or six verysmall teeth (Fig. ) ................... ………………………
taschenbergi (Mayr)
- First tergum and posterior edgeof pronotum without erect hairs; teeth on aedeagus long and well developed(Fig. ), or more than 6 teeth present .................
20
20(19). Distance from median ocellusto lateral ocellus equal to maximum diameter of median ocellus (Fig. ); wingswith media attached to radius at same point with cross vein from stigma, and extendsalmost to margin of wing (Fig. ) ........
mariae Forel
- Distance from median ocellus tolateral ocellus about 1.4 times maximum diameter of median ocellus; distancefrom connection of media to radius at least 1/3 as long as length of crossvein,median often does not extend to margin of wing (Fig. ).....…………………………………........
2121(20). Distance from connection of media to radius of fore wing often subequalin length to crossvein (Fig. ); aedeagus with teeth only on the posteriorborder; volsella large and well developed (Fig. ) ......... ……………………….
pustulatusMayr
- Distance from connection ofmedia to radius usually about
1/
3 length of crossvein (Fig. ); aedeaguswith teeth over entire ventral border in addition to anterior border; volsellasmall and poorly developed (Fig. ) ........
plagiatus (Mayr)
laminatus
complex22(18). Node of petiole often with sharp apex,anterior face of petiole rugose or roughly sculptured ........…………..........
23
- Apex of node of petiole usuallycompletely rounded and blunt, (Fig. xx) or with median tooth (Fig. xx), anteriorface of petiole almost smooth or only lightly punctate ..…….……………………….....
24
23(22). Ocelli not stronglyprotruding (Fig. ); WL < 1.5 mm ………………..… .....................................
lamellosus(Mayr)
- Ocelli stronglyprotruding (Fig. ); WL > 2.0 mm ..............
varians Mann
24(22). Anterior surface ofpetiole lightly punctate, apex of node terminating in tooth (Fig. ) or nodethickened with acuminate border (Fig. xx) .........……….……...
25- Anterior surface of petiole mostlysmooth and moderately shining, apex of node not terminating in tooth (Fig. ).....………………………………............
2625(24). Apex of petiole terminating in tooth (Fig.xx) …………..
tristis Mann
- Apex of node terminating in acuminate border (Fig. xx)
……
schulzi xx
debilis
complex26(24). Scutumdensely, but shallowly punctate; concolorous dark brown .............………………………..........
debilis Emery
- Scutum roughlysculptured, foveolate; yellowish-brown with gaster somewhat lighter in color…………............. …………………………..
rufescens Mann
Characteristics of the species complexes
attelaboidesspecies complex The workers, femalesand males of this species complex have elongated, tubular occipital necks (Fig.), which easily distinguishes them from members of other species complexes. Thesculpture is rough, with rugae and foveolate punctures. The gaster is denselypunctate in most species (except
rosenbergi).There are numerous erect hairs, especially on the scapes. The maxillary palpsare relatively short, the mesopleural spine is poorly developed. The subgenitalplate of the male has two long processes (Fig. ). The stipites are welldeveloped (Fig. xx) and the lateral tooth of the aedeagus is poorly developed(Fig. ). The volsellae are strongly hooked (Fig. ). Species in this complexinclude
D. attelaboides,
D. longicollis, and
D. rosenbergi.
bidens speciescomplex This is the mostdifficult complex. It consists of a bewildering array of forms which intergradeinto one another. We are fortunate that the vast majority of the specimens collectedare either
D. bidens or
D. quadridenticulatus, which are usually easily distinguished.
Workers and femalesof this species are moderate to large ants (WL 3.3 to 5.0 mm); the mandibles areusually moderately shining with scattered punctures, usually with only 8 to 10teeth on the masticatory border, the apical tooth is usually more developed;and 2 - 10 teeth on basal border, first two well-developed, others usuallyreduced and may appear as a serrated edge only; the clypeus rarely has a medialnotch, the anterior border is usually slightly convex; the mesosoma is robust,the metanotal area is strongly constricted; the propodeum often has teeth orbumps on the lateral corners, which are not connected by a carina; the petiolarnode is usually bidentate. These are abundantly hairy ants, with long, erecthairs on most body surfaces, including the scapes, as well as appressedpubescence on many areas, especially the gaster. The length of the erect hairson the scape is greater than twice the diameter of scape.
The male genitaliaare similar to those of other species of group 2 (above???). Males of thiscomplex are occasionally difficult to distinguish from those of the
diversus complex. They are larger (WL> 2.5 mm)than those of the
diversus species complex,and are not completely punctate as are those of the
lugans species complex. The aedeagus is large and toothed (Fig. ),the digitus is bent laterally and ends in a sharp point (Fig. ). The volsellais well developed, the digitus points ventrally and is usually enlarged at theend. The stipites are rudimentary or absent, as in all of the ants of this genus.
These ants are usually at least moderately aggressive.
Species in thiscomplex include
D. abruptus,
D. bidens,
D. cogitans,
D. ferrugineus,
D. primitivus,
D.quadridenticulatus, and
D. spurius.
bispinosus speciescomplex The workers of all ofthe species in this complex, except
D.mesonotalis, have welldeveloped pronotal spines and the petiolar scale is produced as a needlelikespine. Females of most of the species are similar, except that the pronotal andpetiolar spines are smaller. Males have neither of these characteristics; theyare easily recognized as the volsellae are as in groups 3 and 4, but thedigitus of the aedeagus is bent laterally and forms a flat, rounded plate (Fig.).
Dolichoderus mesonotalis is anunusual member of the complex as the workers do not have spines on the pronotumor on the petiolar scale. They are clearly members of the complex as the malesare typical of the group and are very similar to those of
D. bispinosus. There are a number of characters that have been usedin species recognition of workers, especially the sculpture of the dorsal faceof the propodeum and the shape of the posterior margin of the propodeum, butthat are not important, due to the variability within species. Nanitics aresmaller, are more coarsely sculptured, the head is rounded and not stronglyconcave (especially obvious in species in which the posterior margin of thehead is concave), and the mesosoma is relatively more elongated.
These ants attack very aggressively when the nest isdisturbed. They do not sting, of course, but the biting of hundreds of ants candrive away all but the most persistent myrmecologist. They have a strong“dolichoderine” border when they attack.
Members of the complex include
D. andinus,
D. bispinosus,
D. curvilobus,
D. doloniger,
D. epetrieia,
D. haradae,
D. mesonotalis,
D. mucronifer,
D. obscurus,
D. omacanthus,
D. septemspinosus,
D. spinicollis,
D. superaculus and
D. validus.
debilisspecies complex The workers of this species complex are closely related,small ants (WL slightly greater than 1 mm). All known species have well developed,but small pronotal spines. The metanotal groove is very wide and deep. Thebasidorsal coxal tubercle is never developed. The anterior surface of thepetiolar node is smooth and weakly shining. The node is rarely marginate andusually terminates in a small tooth or angle. The females lack pronotal spinesand could be easily confused with females of the
diversus species complex, as was pointed out by Kempf (1959).
Dolichoderus schulzi is not a member ofthis species complex and is placed with the
laminatusspecies complex, together with the closely related
D. tristis.
These ants are timid and lack the “dolichoderine” odor.
Members include
D.debilis,
D. gagates,
D.inermis,
D. inpai, and
D. rufescens.
decollatus speciescomplex Workers of this complex are very closely related to the
attelaboides complex and could probablybe considered as members of that complex. The only difference is that the occiputis not elongated into a tubular neck. All of the species have greatly elongatedmesosomal regions, as do species of the
attelaboidescomplex. The sculpture is very coarse, consisting in most cases of foveolatepunctures. The males are unknown, but would probably be similar to those of the
attelaboides complex.
These ants are very aggressive when the nest is disturbed.
Members include
D.decollatus and
D. fernandezi.
diversus speciescomplex This species complexconsists of relatively small species found from México south to Brasil. Workersare distinguished from those of other species complexes in that they are onlymoderately hairy, the dorsal face and propodeal declivity are separated by atransverse carina, and the petiolar node is thin in profile and is rarelybidentate.
These ants aresmaller (WL < 2.3 mm)than most of the other members of the genus. The antennal scapes are eitherwithout erect hairs (
D. ghilianii,
D. lutosus, and
D. piceus) or the longest erect hairs are about equal to thediameter of the scape (Fig. ). The propodeal angles are usually poorly developedand connected by a transverse carina (Fig. ). The node of the petiole is rarelybidentate (Fig. ). Females are similar to workers. Males resemble those of the
bidens species complex, but are smaller(WL < 2.3 mm).
These ants are usually not aggressive, and attempt to escapewhen the nest is disturbed. They do not have a notable odor.
Members include
D. baenae,
D. caribbaea,
D. diversus,
D. germaini,
D. ghilianii,
D. laurae,
D.luederwaldti,
D. lujae,
D. lutosus,
D. piceus, and
D. voraginosus.
imitator speciescomplex The single species inthis complex,
imitator is easilyrecognized. The propodeum of the worker and female are armed with auricle-likestructures (Fig. ), and the descending face of the propodeum is covered withtransverse costulae (Fig. ). The subgenital plate of the male consists of twoflattened appendages which are each bi-lobed (Fig. ). The stipites arerudimentary and the digitus of the aedeagus is a long, curved structure (Fig.).
laminatus speciescomplex Workers and femalesof this species complex have broad, platelike pronotal angles, and thepropodeum overhangs the petiole. The apex of the petiolar node is usuallyacuminate, rarely with a small median spine (except in
D. tristis and
D. schulzi).The anterior surface of the node is opaque and covered with rough sculpture.Females are very similar to the workers and can usually be identified by simplecomparison. There are apparently no characters which distinguish males fromthose of the
quadripunctatus speciescomplex. Fortunately there is no sympatry of the two complexes, which allowstheir separation. The paramers are relatively large (Fig. ). The volsellae arethickened and the stipites are small (Fig. ).
These ants are not aggressive and usually lack an odor(except
D. tristis).
Members include
D.lamellosus,
D. laminatus,
D. lobicornis,
D. prolaminatus,
D. schulzi,
D. setosus,
D. smithi,
D. tristis and
D. varians.
lugens speciescomplex These ants are easilyrecognized as the worker and both sexes are completely covered with coarsepunctures, and are concolorous dark brown or black. They are also very differentin that the metanotal groove of the worker is very deep, the pronotum isrounded, and the petiole is rounded and thickened in lateral view (Fig. ). Theyare clearly members of
Dolichoderusas the genitalia of the male (Fig. ) are similar to those of the
bidens and
diversus species complexes. >?? Missing p 14 The stipites arerudimentary, the posterior edge of the aedeagus is rounded, but a dorsal,lateral tooth is present. The digitus of the volsella is elongate and knobbedas it is in members of the
bidens and
diversus species complexes.
There is a single species in the complex:
D. lugans.
quadripunctatusspecies complex The
quadripunctatusspecies complex consists of species in which the propodeum overhangs thepetiole, and the pronotum is without angles (Fig. ). The extant New Worldspecies of the complex are found only in North America;it consists of four closely related species which are allied to the Europeanand Siberian
D. quadripunctatus (L.).Mayr (1866) suggested that the four New Worldspecies could be conspecific. Based on numerous characteristics of the workers,females and especially the male genitalia, there are clearly four distinct species.In addition all four species co-occur in Michiganwith no evidence of hybridization (Kannowski, 1959a). Wheeler (1905a) revisedthis species complex, but had a number of misconceptions about the complex(Creighton, 1950).
The workers in thiscomplex are closely related to the Old Worldand Australian species of the genus. The propodeum of the worker extends overthe petiole as an overhanging shelf (Fig. ). The females are similar, exceptthe propodeum does not overhang the petiole to such an extent (Fig. ). The malegenitalia (Figs. ) of this complex are similar to those of the
laminatus species complex (Fig. 148),showing a possible relationship between this complex and many species of "
Monacis".
The worker mandiblesusually have scattered punctures, often mixed with fine striae or very finepunctures, 10 - 20 teeth, most poorly defined, except 2 - 4 apical teeth (Fig.); the clypeus has an indented region in the medial anterior border, with 10 -15 parallel longitudinal carinae; the sculpture of head and mesosoma variesfrom almost smooth and shining to with deep foveolate punctures; the mesosomais deeply impressed at the metanotal suture; the dorsal face of the propodeumextends posteriorly above the petiole (Fig. ); the gaster is usually weaklysmooth and shining. Erect hairs vary from none, to hairs on most surfaces,appressed pubescence is essentially absent The color ranges from lightyellowish red to concolorous dark brown.
The female is similar to the worker, the mandibles usuallyhave few teeth or only the apical tooth is well defined; the ocelli are largeand well developed; the sculpture of thehead, mesosoma and gaster are as in the worker; the propodeal declivity isconcave and slightly overhanging the petiole (Fig. ). The pilosity and colorare as in the worker.
The male hasmandibles with 10 - 15 teeth, of which all are small, except for the apicaltooth (Fig. ). The clypeus has little or no evidence of parallel carinae, theeyes and ocelli are large and well developed. The sculpture of the head andmesosoma is rough and densely and evenly punctate; the propodeum is rounded andnot extending even a slight amount over the petiole (Fig. ); the gaster ismostly smooth and shining. Parameres and stipites are considerably reduced inmost species (Figs. ).
These ants can become aggressive when the nest is disturbed. This is the only speciescomplex in the New World which always nests inthe soil.
Dolichoderus bispinosus occasionally nests in the soil, butalways in association with deadwood. The
quadripunctatusspecies complex in the New World consists of seven species (three extinct)whose distribution is limited to North America.
Species in this complex include
D. antiguus,
D. mariae,
D. obliterus,
D. plagiatus,
D. pustulatus,
D. rohweri, and
D. taschenbergi.
rugosus speciescomplex The workers andfemales of this complex are easily recognized as the spine on the lowermesopleural border is well developed (Fig. ) and the maxillary palps aregreatly elongated (Fig. ). The propodeum is armed with long, well developedspines (Fig. ). The female is very similar to the worker. The males are similarto those of the
attelaboides complex,except the appendages on the subgenital plate are wider (Fig. ). In addition,the digitus of the aedeagus is strongly recurved (Fig. ), with a well developedlateral tooth.
Members of the complex include
D. dibolia,
D. intermedius and
D. rugosus.
shattucki speciescomplex There is a singlespecies,
D. shattucki in this speciescomplex. The workers and females of this complex are among the most easilyrecognized of any Neotropical ants. The presence of long spines on thepronotum, propodeum (and mesonotum of the worker), in addition to the spine onthe petiole (Fig. 1), distinguish this species from all others. The longmaxillary palps distinguish it from any of the similar members of the
bispinosus species complex. The malesare unknown.
NORTH AMERICANTAXA:
Dolichoderus abruptus
(Fr. Smith) (Figs. ) (Map ) Formica abruptaFr. Smith, 1858:45
Hypoclinea abruptaMayr, 1870a:956, 1870b:391-392; Kempf, 1972b:118; Jones and Blum, 1981:891
Dolichoderus abruptusEmery, 1894:236-237, 1912:11
Hypoclinea bidensRoger, 1862b:285, incorrectly considered as synonym, corrected by Mayr, 1870b:391-392
D. ursus Mayr,1866:499-500; Emery, 1894:228, 1912:12; Kempf, 1972b:120 (
Hypoclinea) (Mackay, 1993)
Discussion. Workers, females and males can be distinguished due tothe shiny, polished surface of the pronotum and gaster, and on the basis of color(golden yellow to ferrugineous red). This species is very closely related to
quadridenticulatus, the sculpture onhead and shape of mesosoma are almost identical. In addition, there is littleor no appressed pubescence on the gaster, whereas the gaster of
D. quadridenticulatus always has at least moderate appressed pubescence.It is also much lighter in color than the typical
D. quadridenticulatus. Distribution. Colombia and Venezuelasouth to Bolivia.May occur in Central America.
Biology. This speciesconstructs carton nests in trees at elevations below 1500 meters. One serieswas mixed with
D. ferrugineous. Oneloose female was collected in Aug, 1962 (Perú) a second in July, 1922 (Brasil).
Dolichoderusandinus (Kempf) (Figs) (Map ) Monacis andinaKempf, 1962:36-37,
D, Peru: Pichita,Caluga
[ندعوك للتسجيل في المنتدى أو التعريف بنفسك لمعاينة هذا الرابط]Males of the
shattucki complex are unknown,use key with caution as the males of many species are unknown and those of manyspecies are very similar. From Mackay (1993).
[ندعوك للتسجيل في المنتدى أو التعريف بنفسك لمعاينة هذا الرابط]The unknown males of
D. rosenbergiand
D.longicollis from Colombia, Ecuador and Perú may key to thiscouplet.
[ندعوك للتسجيل في المنتدى أو التعريف بنفسك لمعاينة هذا الرابط]The unknown males of
D. diboliusand
D.intermedius would probably key here.