Glossary beginning with A
A
- acuminate
Tapering gradually to a sharp point. Applied to erect hairs in Antkey.
- alate
Refers to the winged lifestage of an ant. Males are generally all alate. Queens are generally alate prior to mating.
- antenna
(pl. antennae) In Antkey species, the antenna consists of an elongate basal segment (the scape) followed distally by 5–11 shorter segments (the funiculus). The 1-4 terminal segments might be enlarged (antennal club)
- antennae 6-segmented
Antenna with six segments, including scape. Unique to all Strumigenys species in Antkey.
- antennae 7-segmented
Antenna with seven segments, including scape. Unique to all Eurhopalothrix species in Antkey.
- antennal club
The more or less enlarged apical segments of a clubbed antenna. Most antennal clubs of ant species are composed of 2-3 segments, though some species in Antkey have a 1-segmented clubs or 4-segmented clubs.
- antennal club 1-segmented
The terminal antennal segment is enlarged relative to all preceding segments.
- antennal club 2-segmented
The two most apical antennal segments are enlarged relative to all preceding segments, forming a distinct club at the end of the antenna. Used to distinguish among myrmicine genera.
- antennal club 3-segmented
The three most apical antennal segments are enlarged relative to all preceding segments, forming a distinct club at the end of the antenna. Used to distinguish among myrmicine genera, and also separates Myrmelachista from all other formicine genera in Antkey.
- antennal club 4-segmented
The four most apical antennal segments are enlarged relative to all preceding segments, forming a distinct club at the end of the antenna. Used to distinguish Myrmica species from all other myrmicines in Antkey.
- antennal club indistinct
The funicular segments filiform or becoming incrementally larger, but never forming a distinct 1-4 segmented club.
- antennal ridge
A raised and distinct carina surrounding the antennal socket.
- antennal ridge absent
Antennal socket not surrounded by a raised carinate ridge. Distinguishes all other myrmicine genera in Antkey from Tetramorium.
- antennal ridge present
Antennal socket surrounded by a raised carinate ridge. Unique to all species of Tetramorium in Antkey.
- antennal scape
-
- antennal scape length
The maximum straight-line length of the scape, excluding the basal
constriction or neck that occurs just distal of the condylar bulb.- antennal scape length does not reach the posterior margin of head (Ponerinae)
The antennal scapes, when arranged along the anteroposterior axis of the head, do not reach the posterior head margin. Used in Antkey to separate Hypoponera punctatissima, Hypoponera ragusai and Hypoponera zwaluwenburgi from Hypoponera opaciceps and Pachycondyla species.
- antennal scape length exceeds posterior margin of head (Ponerinae)
The antennal scapes, when arranged along the anteroposterior axis of the head, extend beyond the posterior head margin. Used in Antkey to separate Hypoponera opaciceps and Pachycondyla species from Hypoponera punctatissima, Hypoponera ragusai and Hypoponera zwaluwenburgi.
- antennal scape length greater than 1.5x head length
The antennal scapes are extremely long, their length measuring more than 1.5x the length of the head. Used in Antkey to separate Anoplolepis gracilipes and Paratrechina longicornis from other formicine genera.
- antennal scape length less than 1.5x head length
The antennal scapes of various lengths, from short to long, but never measuring more than 1.5x the length of the head. Used in Antkey to separate other formicine genera from Anoplolepis gracilipes and Paratrechina longicornis.
- antennal scapes
The elongated basal segment of the antenna.
- antennal scapes do not reach posterior margin of head (Myrmicinae)
Antennal scapes, when arranged along the anteroposterior axis of the head, do not reach its posterior margin.
- antennal scapes long (Myrmicinae vs. Cerapachyinae)
Antennal scapes, when arranged along the anteroposterior axis of the head, easily surpass posterior margin of eye. Separates all the species of Myrmicinae in Antkey from those of Cerapachyinae.
- antennal scapes long (Plagiolepis)
Antennal scapes exceed posterior head margin by a distance greater than half eye length. Separates Plagiolepis alluaudi and Plagiolepis pygmae from Plagiolepis exigua.
- antennal scapes reach but do not surpass posterior margin of head (Brachymyrmex)
The antennal scapes are relatively short, reaching the posterior head margin but not surpassing it by more than 1/5th their length. Used in Antkey to separate Brachymyrmex JAM-001 from all other Brachymyrmex species.
- antennal scapes reach or exceed posterior margin of head (Myrmicinae)
Antennal scapes, when arranged along the anteroposterior axis of the head, reach or exceed its posterior margin.
- antennal scapes short (Myrmicinae vs. Cerapachyinae)
Antennal scapes, when arranged along the anteroposterior axis of the head, barely surpass or do not surpass posterior margin of eye. In Antkey, separate all the species of Cerapachyinae from those of Myrmicinae.
- antennal scapes short (Plagiolepis)
Antennal scapes do not exceed posterior head margin by a distance greater than half eye length. Separates Plagiolepis exigua from Plagiolepis alluaudi and Plagiolepis pygmae.
- antennal scapes surpass posterior margin of head (Brachymyrmex)
The antennal scapes are relatively long, surpassing the posterior head margin by more than 1/5th their length. Used in Antkey to separate all other Brachymyrmex species from Brachymyrmex JAM-001.
- antennal scapes with less than 10 erect hairs
Antennal scapes with less than 10 erect hairs. The hairs may be also be semierect, but are distinguished from the more common appressed pilosity. Separates Nylanderia guatemalensis and Nylanderia vaga from Nylanderia flavipes, Nylanderia terricola and Nylanderia vividula.
- antennal scapes with more than 10 erect hairs
Antennal scapes with more than 10 erect hairs. The hairs may be also be semierect, but are distinguished from the more common appressed pilosity. Separates Nylanderia flavipes, Nylanderia terricola and Nylanderia vividula from Nylanderia guatemalensis and Nylanderia vaga.
- antennal scrobe
A longitudinal groove, impression or excavation in the side of the head that can accommodate at least some portions of the antenna. Vary from simple broad, shallow grooves to extensive deep trenches. Used in Antkey to distinguish among some myrmicine genera and species.
- antennal scrobe absent
A groove, impression, or excavation in the side of the head, which runs above or below the eye to accommodate at least the antennal scape, but often the entire antenna when folded back. Antennal scrobes vary in development from simple broad shallow grooves to extensive deep trenches. Distinguishes among myrmicine genera.
- antennal scrobe present
A groove, impression, or excavation in the side of the head, which runs above or below the eye to accommodate at least the antennal scape, but often the entire antenna when folded back. Antennal scrobes vary in development from simple broad shallow grooves to extensive deep trenches. Distinguishes among myrmicine genera.
- antennal scrobe strongly impressed (Tetramorium simillimum)
Used to distinguish Tetramorium simillimum from Tetramorium caldarium, but can be very subtle and difficult to observe. In the former species, the antennal scrobe is more strongly impressed, and the frontal carina remains a distinct outside border of the scrobe, even at its most posterior section.
- antennal scrobes
Longitudinal grooves, impressions or excavations in the side of the head that can accommodate at least some portions of the antennae. Vary from simple broad, shallow grooves to extensive deep trenches. Used in Antkey to distinguish among some myrmicine genera and species.
- antennal scrobes absent (Pheidole)
Used to distinguish the major worker of Pheidole obscurithorax from that of Pheidole fervens, Pheidole flavens, Pheidole moerens and Pheidole teneriffana. The first species lacks any depression capable of receiving any portion of the antennae.
- antennal scrobes lightly impressed (Tetramorium caldarium)
Used to distinguish Tetramorium caldarium from Tetramorium simillimum but can be very subtle and difficult to observe. In the former species, the antennal scrobe is weakly impressed, and the frontal carina does not remain a distinct outside border of the scrobe, often disappearing or becoming very faint at its most posterior section.
- antennal scrobes present (Pheidole)
Used to distinguish the major worker of Pheidole fervens, Pheidole flavens, Pheidole moerens and Pheidole teneriffana from that of Pheidole obscurithorax. The last species lacks any depression capable of receiving any portion of the antennae.
- antennal segments
- antennal sockets
- antennal sockets close to clypeal margin
Antennal sockets and posterior clypeal margin separated by a distance less than the minimum width of antennal scape. Within Antkey, his character state is used to separate all dolichoderines and various species of formicines from Anoplolepis, Camponotus, Formica, Brachymyrmex and Myrmelachista.
- antennal sockets exposed
Antennal sockets entirely exposed, not covered even partially by frontal lobes. In Antkey, separates the species of Amblyoponinae and Cerapachyinae from those of Ectatomminae, Myrmicinae and Ponerinae. The antennal sockets of Antkey species in the Dolichoderinae, Formicinae and Pseudomyrmecinae are also always at least partially covered.
- antennal sockets far from clypeal margin
Antennal sockets and posterior clypeal margin separated by a distance equal to or greater than the minimum width of antennal scape. Within Antkey, his character state is used to separate species in the formicine genera Anoplolepis, Camponotus and Formica from Brachymyrmex, Myrmelachista and all those in Dolichoderinae.
- antennal sockets partially covered
Antennal sockets at least partially covered by frontal lobes, but never entirely exposed. In Antkey, separates Ectatomminae, Myrmicinae and Ponerinae from Amblyoponinae and Cerapachyinae. The antennal sockets of Antkey species in the Dolichoderinae, Formicinae and Pseudomyrmecinae are also always at least partially covered.
- anterior
In front; before.
- anterior clypeal margin variously shaped but never with one median and two lateral 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.
- anterior clypeal margin with one median and two lateral convexities
The anterior clypeal margin with three convexities (one median and two lateral). Used to distinguish Iridomyrmex from all other dolichoderine genera in Antkey.
- anterior margin of clypeus dentate
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.
- anterior margin of clypeus 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.
- anterior margin of clypeus not dentate
The anterior margin of clypeus 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.
- anterior margin of clypeus with median notch
The anterior clypeal margin is entirely convex and is not interrupted by a median indentation. Used in Antkey to separate species of Tetramorium.
- apical
[Torre-Beuno Glossary] At, near or pertaining to the apex [farthest from the body] of any structure.
- appressed hair
[Antwiki.org] Refers to hairs that lie on the body surface, thus parallel, or nearly so, to that surface.