clypeus
ant morphology
ant morphology
Some morphological terms associated with the head and face.
2 clypeal teeth
2 clypeal teeth
The anterior margin of the clypeus has a pair of lateral teeth that straddle the midline but no median tooth. Used in Antkey to separate from Solenopsis geminata and Solenopsis xyloni from Solenopsis invicta and Solenopsis richteri. This is arguably the most useful character for separating these species, but it can be difficult to see on some specimens.
clypeal margin lacking median notch
clypeal margin lacking median notch
The anterior clypeal margin is convex, except for a distinct indentation in the median. Used in Antkey to separate species of Tetramorium.
three clypeal teeth (one median and two lateral)
three clypeal teeth (one median and two lateral)
The anterior margin of the clypeus has two distinct lateral teeth that straddle the midline, but is missing a distinct median tooth between them. Used in Antkey to separate Solenopsis invicta and Solenopsis richteri from Solenopsis geminata and Solenopsis xyloni. This is arguably the most useful character for separating these species, but it can be difficult to see in some specimens.
clypeus lacking 3 convexities
clypeus lacking 3 convexities
The anterior clypeal margin variously shaped (e.g. flat, convex, concave, with median notch, etc.), but never with one median and two lateral convexities. Used to distinguish all dolichoderine genera in Antkey from Iridomyrmex.
clypeus with 3 convexities
clypeus with 3 convexities
The anterior clypeal margin with three convexities (one median and two lateral). Used to distinguish Iridomyrmex from all other dolichoderine genera in Antkey.
clypeus with row of denticles
clypeus with row of denticles
The anterior margin of clypeus armed with small peg like teeth. in Antkey distinguishes species of Amblyoponinae from those of Ectatomminae and Ponerinae. All other species in Antkey lack this dentition on the anterior clypeal margin.
clypeus lacking row of denticles
clypeus lacking row of denticles
The anterior margin of clypeus not armed with small peg like teeth. Used in Antkey to distinguish species of Ectatomminae and Ponerinae from those of Amblyoponinae. All other species in Antkey also lack this dentition on the anterior clypeal margin.
clypeus not triangular
clypeus not triangular
The clypeus is convex, but does not projecting anteriorly to form a distinctly triangular shape. Used to distinguish all ponerine genera in Antkey from Leptogenys.
clypeus triangular
clypeus triangular
The clypeus projects anteriorly to form a distinctly triangular shape. Used to distinguish Leptogenys from all ponerine genera in Antkey.