Glossary beginning with C
C
- carina
[Antwiki.org] (pl. carinae) A ridge or low, keel-like crest.
- carinae approach the posterior border of the head
This character state was used by Wilson (2003) to distinguish Pheidole flavens from Pheidole moerens. However, the character is ambiguous and variable, and may have been based upon examination of a limited amount of material.
- carinae do not approach the posterior border of the head
This character state was used by Wilson (2003) to distinguish Pheidole moerens from Pheidole flavens However, the character is ambiguous and variable, and may have been based upon examination of a limited amount of material.
- carinae heavily reticulated posterior to eye level
Posterolateral lobes with longitudinal carinae frequently being intersected and interrupted by transverse carinae to form a dense mesh of rugoreticulation. This character, combined with the absence of antennal scrobes, is used to separate the major worker of Pheidole obscurithorax from that of Pheidole fervens and Pheidole teneriffana.
- carinae modestly reticulated posterior to eye level
Posterolateral lobes with longitudinal carinae only occasionally being intersected by much shorter transverse carinae to form a patches of rugoreticulation. This character, combined with the presence of antennal scrobes, is used to separate the major worker of Pheidole fervens and Pheidole teneriffana from that of Pheidole obscurithorax (which has a much denser network of rugoreticulum).
- caste
Any set of individuals in a given colony that is both morphologically distinct and specialized in behavior.
- cephalic hairs short and stubby (Technomyrmex)
The cephalic dorsum with two pairs of short and stubby hairs posterior to eye. Used in Antkey to separate Technomyrmex pallipes from Technomyrmex albipes, Technomyrmex difficilis and Technomyrmex vitiensis.
- cephalic rugae lacking reticulation (Tetramorium)
Cephalic dorsum primarily sculptured with subparallel longitudinal rugae that are not intersected by sections of shorter latitudinal rugae. Used in Antkey to separate Tetramorium caespitum cf and Tetramorium tsushimae from all other Tetramorium species.
- cephalic rugae with reticulation (Tetramorium)
Cephalic dorsum with short lateral rugae intersecting longer longitudinal rugae. Used in Antkey to separate all other Tetramorium species from Tetramorium caespitum cf and Tetramorium tsushimae.
- cephalic sculpture predominantly subparallel longitudinal carinae that rarely intersect (Myrmica)
The cephalic sculpture of Myrmica rubra is characterized by long longitudinal carinae that rarely intersect. Contrasts with the strongly reticulated cephalic sculpture of Myrmica specioides.
- cephalic sculpture strongly rugoreticulate (Myrmica)
The cephalic sculpture of Myrmica specioides is strongly rugoreticulate and characterized by longitudinal carinae that are frequently intersected by shorter transverse carinae. This character state contrasts with the predominately longitudinal cephalic carinae of Myrmica specioides that rarely intersect.
- clypeal anterior margin lacking median tooth
The anterior margin of the clypeus has a single median tooth on the midline and a pair of lateral teeth that straddle the midline. 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 anterior margin with median tooth
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
In full face view, the broad shield that forms the anterior portion of the ant's head. The anterior clypeal margin usually forms the anterior margin of the head. The posterior clypeal margin usually borders the antennal sockets and frontal carinae or frontal lobes, or may project backwards between them.
- clypeus not triangular (Ponerinae)
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 (Ponerinae)
The clypeus projects anteriorly to form a distinctly triangular shape. Used to distinguish Leptogenys from all ponerine genera in Antkey.
- color
- color uniformly brownish yellow (Monomorium)
The entire body is uniformly brownish yellow. Used in Antkey to separate Monomorium pharaonis from all other Monomorium species.
- color uniformly brownish yellow (Tetramorium)
The entire body is uniformly brownish yellow. Used in Antkey to separate Tetramorium insolens, Tetramorium tonganum, some specimens of Tetramorium caldarium and some specimens of Tetramorium simillimum from all other Tetramorium.
- color uniformly dark (Monomorium)
The entire body is uniformly brown to black. Used in Antkey to separate Monomorium ebeninum, Monomorium liliuokalanii, members of the Monomorium salomonis group and some specimens of Monomorium floricola from all other Monomorium species.
- color uniformly dark (Tetramorium)
The entire body is uniformly dark brown to black. Used in Antkey to separate Tetramorium lanuginosum, Tetramorium caespitum_cf, Tetramorium pacificum and Tetramorium tsushimae from all other Tetramorium.
- concolorous
uniform in color
- congeners
Other species belonging to the same genus.
- content node
In Drupal, each item of content (e.g. literature, media, specimens, taxon descriptions, etc.) is called a node.
- content type
A Drupal term. Antkey content types include literature records, blog entries, forum topics, locations, media galleries, pages, specimens/observations, taxon descriptions and character projects.