คำศัพท์ ขึ้นต้นด้วย M
M
- major worker (Camponotus)
The largest-sized workers of Camponotus. The genus is polymorphic, and there is a range of worker sizes. The major caste is distinct, however, and is best identified by the oversized head.
- mandibles
The jaws which are used by ants to take, manipulate and chew food resources. They are extremely variable in shape, size and dentition, and have great importance in ant taxonomy.
- mandibles evenly curved (Strumigenys)
The mandibles are evenly curved, lacking abrupt attenuation near insertion of preapical tooth. Used in Antkey to separate Strumigenys godeffroyi and Strumigenys lewisi from Strumigenys lanuginosa.
- mandibles inserted laterally
The mandibles inserted towards lateral corners of the of the anterior head margin. Used in Antkey to separate Leptogenys from Odontomachus.
- mandibles inserted medially
The mandibles inserted towards lateral corners of the of the anterior head margin. Used in Antkey to separate Odontomachus from Leptogenys.
- mandibles lacking apical fork (Ponerinae)
The mandibles lack a fork of 2-3 teeth at the apex. Used in Antkey to separate Leptogenys from Odontomachus.
- mandibles linear (Ponerinae)
The mandibles are long and straight, not triangular. They lack distinct teeth on their inner margins, but can be armed with an apical fork. Used in Antkey to separate Anochetus, Leptogenys and Odontomachus from other Ponerine genera. Anochetus and Odontomachus are referred to as trapjaw ants.
- mandibles linear (Strumigenys)
Mandibles are elongated and straight to gently curving. Armed with either small denticles or an apical fork. Used in Antkey to separate Strumigenys from all other myrmicine genera.
- Mandibles long and linear with seven teeth
The mandible long and linear with seven teeth (one apical, one sub-apical, and five basal). Used in Antkey to separate Amblyopone zwaluwenburgi from Prionopelta species.
- mandibles straight and distinctly tapering at point of preapical tooth insertion (Strumigenys)
The mandibles are very straight with an abrupt attenuation near insertion of preapical tooth. Used in Antkey to separate Strumigenys lanuginosa from Strumigenys godeffroyi and Strumigenys lewisi.
- mandibles triangular
The mandible shape is roughly triangular, not linear. Used in Antkey to distinguish among many genera and species.
- mandibles triangular (Strumigenys)
The mandibles are triangular. Used in Antkey to separate Strumigenys species.
- mandibles tridentate (Prionopelta)
The mandible somewhat linear and armed with three apical teeth. Used in Antkey to separate Prionopelta species from Stigmatomma zwaluwenbergi.
- mandibles with 7 dents
The mandible has seven total teeth and dents, including 2 basal teeth. Used in Antkey to separate Lasius neglectus from Lasius alienus, but it is not always reliable.
- mandibles with 8 dents
The mandible has eight total teeth and dents, including 2 basal teeth. Used in Antkey to separate Lasius alienus from Lasius neglectus but it is not always reliable.
- mandibles with apical fork (Ponerinae)
The teeth at the apex of the mandibles form a vertically arranged fork of two or three enlarged, frequently spiniform teeth. Used in Antkey to separate Odontomachus from Leptogenys.
- mandibles with apical fork (Strumigenys)
The teeth at the apex of the mandibles usually form a vertically arranged fork of two or three enlarged, frequently spiniform teeth.
- mandibles with basal angle
The masticatory and basal margin of the mandible are separated by a distinct angle. Used in Antkey to separate Iridomyrmex from Linepithema and Technomyrmex.
- mandibles with five teeth (Ponerinae)
Mandibles with five teeth and denticles. Used in Antkey to separate Pachycondyla stigma from Pachycondyla chinensis and Hypoponera species.
- mandibles with more than seven teeth
Mandibles with more than seven teeth and denticles. Used in Antkey to separate Hypoponera from Pachycondyla.
- mandibles with one preapical tooth
There is one tooth on the inner margin proximal to the apical fork. Used in Antkey to separate all other Strumigenys from Strumigenys rogeri.
- mandibles with seven teeth
Mandibles with seven teeth and denticles. Used in Antkey to separate Pachycondyla chinensis from Pachycondyla stigma and Hypoponera species.
- mandibles with small denticles
The mandibles with very small teeth (denticles) arranged anteriorly on the masticatory margin.
- mandibles with two preapical teeth
There are two teeth on the inner margin proximal to the apical fork. Used in Antkey to separate Strumigenys rogeri from all other Strumigenys.
- mandibles without apical fork
Mandibles edentate and lacking teeth at the apex of the mandibles that form a vertically arranged fork of two or three enlarged, frequently spiniform teeth. Used in Antkey to separate Leptogenys from Odontomachus
- mandibles without basal angle
The separation of the basal and masticatory margins of the mandibles weakly defined with the dentition extending to the basal margin. Used in Antkey to separate Linepithema and Technomyrmex from Iridomyrmex.
- measurements
- median
In or at the middle; of or pertaining to the middle; along the midline of the body.
- mesonotum distinctly convex and surrounded by deeply impressed sutural lines
The metanotum forms a prominent convexity bordered by distinct suture lines. Used in Antkey to separate Ectatomminae from Gnamptogenys.
- mesonotum does not form prominent convexity and is not surrounded by deeply impressed sutural lines
The metanotum does not form a prominent convexity bordered by distinct suture lines. Used in Antkey to separate Gnamptogenys from Ectatomminae.
- mesonotum with 0 pair of hairs (Technomyrmex)
The mesonotum lacking any erect hairs. Used in Antkey to separate Technomyrmex albipes and Technomyrmex vitiensis from Technomyrmex difficilis and Technomyrmex pallipes. The erect hairs of Technomyrmex specimens can often be rubbed off prior to examination, so caution should be exercised when using this character for identification.
- mesonotum with 1 pair of hairs (Technomyrmex)
The mesonotum with one pair of erect hairs. Used in Antkey to separate Technomyrmex difficilis and Technomyrmex pallipes from Technomyrmex albipes and Technomyrmex vitiensis. The erect hairs of Technomyrmex specimens can often be rubbed off prior to examination, so caution should be exercised when using this character for identification.
- mesopleuron dull with abundant pubescence
The mesopleuron is marked by modest to dense pubescence (usually more than 25 hairs) that gives it a dull appearance. The amount of pubescence can be quite variable based on the examined specimens, and is not always the most reliable character. Used in Antkey to separate species of Nylanderia.
- mesopleuron lacking pubescence (Linepithema)
The mesopleura and metapleural bulla lacking pubescence giving the surface a glabrous appearance. Used in Antkey to separate Linepithema iniquum from Linepithema humile.
- mesopleuron shiny with sparse pubescence
The mesopleuron is shiny, not dulled by dense pubescence (usually less than 25 hairs). The amount of pubescence can be quite variable based on the examined specimens, and is not always the most reliable character. Used in Antkey to separate species of Nylanderia.
- mesopleuron with pubescence (Linepithema)
The mesopleura and metapleural bulla covered with dense pubescence giving the surface a dull appearance. Used in Antkey to separate Linepithema humile from Linepithema iniquum.
- mesosoma
(= alitrunk, = apparent “thorax”) A convenience term for the second visible main section of an ant’s body, between the head and the gaster. Sometimes referred to (incorrectly) as the 'alitrunk' or 'thorax'.
- mesosoma deeply impressed
The dorsum of mesosoma with a deep and broad concavity separating the mesonotum fro the propodeum. The concavity is formed by the strongly convex mesonotum and propodeum, and is more pronounced than an indentation. Used in Antweb to separate Dolichoderus from other dolichoderine and formicine genera. Species in the Ochetellus glaber group approach this character state.
- mesosoma entirely lacking sculpture (Monomorium)
The mesosoma is entirely smooth and shining, with at most a few isolated punctures, but never with the propodeum, mesonotum or pronotum entirely punctate. Used in Antkey to separate Monomorium ebeninum, Monomorium floricola and Monomorium liliuokalanii from other Monomorium.
- mesosoma entirely sculptured (Monomorium)
The mesosoma is entirely covered in a punctate ground sculpture giving it a uniformly dull appearance. Used in Antkey to separate Monomorium pharaonis and the Monomorium salomonis group from other Monomorium.
- mesosoma not deeply impressed
The dorsum of the mesosoma is variably shape, either with or without impression. If an impression is present, it is never so pronounced as a deep and broad concavity formed by the strongly convex mesonotum and propodeum. Used in Antkey to separate various dolichoderine and formicine genera from Dolichoderus.
- mesosoma partially sculptured (Monomorium)
The mesonotum and propodeum with a combination of punctate and rugose sculpture, while the promesonotum entirely lacks sculpture. Used in Antkey to separate Monomorium destructor from other Monomorium.
- mesosoma with erect hairs (Myrmicinae)
The dorsal surface of the mesosoma has erect hairs that differ distinctly from any appressed pilosity. Used in Antkey to separate many myrmicine genera from Cardiocondyla.
- mesosoma with long thick hairs absent
The dorsal surface of the mesosoma either with or without long erect hairs that differ distinctly from any appressed pilosity. If present, they are either short, thin, or sparse. They are never abundant, thick and arranged in pairs. Used in Antkey to separate other formicine and dolichoderine genera from Nylanderia and Paratrechina.
- mesosoma with long thick hairs present
The dorsal surface of the mesosoma has long erect hairs that differ distinctly from any appressed pilosity. The hairs are thick at the base, arranged in pairs, and can be either flexuous or stiff. Used in Antkey to separate Nylanderia and Paratrechina from other formicine and dolichoderine genera.
- mesosoma with three convexities (Linepithema)
The profile of mesosomal dorsum with three distinct convexities (promesonotum, metanotum and propodeum). Used in Antkey to separate Linepithema iniquum from Linepithema humile.
- mesosoma with two convexities (Linepithema)
The profile of mesosomal dorsum with only to distinct convexities (promesonotum and propodeum). The metanotum is not distinctly raised. Used in Antkey to separate Linepithema humile from Linepithema iniquum.
- mesosoma without erect hairs (Myrmicinae)
The dorsal surface of the mesosoma lacks erect hairs that differ distinctly from any appressed pilosity. Used in Antkey to separate Cardiocondyla from many myrmicine genera.
- mesosomal dorsum lacking pelt of abundant short hairs
The dorsum of the mesosoma has a dense pelt of short, semierect hairs. If there are any hairs other than the long flexuous ones, they are very sparse. Used in Antkey to separate Strumigenys lewisi from Strumigenys godeffroyi.
- mesosomal dorsum with pelt of abundant short hairs
The dorsum of the mesosoma has a dense pelt of short, semierect hairs distinct from the very long flexuous hairs. Used in Antkey to separate Strumigenys godeffroyi from Strumigenys lewisi.
- metanotal groove distinctly impressed (Camponotus)
The metanotal groove is impressed, distinctly separating the propodeum from the promesonotum. Used in Antkey to separate Camponotus sexguttatus from all other Camponotus species.
- metanotal groove not distinctly impressed (Camponotus)
The metanotal groove is weakly impressed or not impressed at all. The entire mesosomal dorsal profile forms an unbroken, convex curve. Used in Antkey to separate all other Camponotus species from Camponotus sexguttatus.
- metapleural gland absent
The metapleuron lacking a distinct gland orifice above the hind coxa. The orifice is often slit shaped and fringed by short hairs. Used in Antkey to separate Camponotus from all other formicine genera.
- metapleural gland present
The metapleuron lacking a distinct gland orifice above the hind coxa. The orifice is often slit shaped and fringed by short hairs. Used in Antkey to separate Camponotus from all other formicine genera.
- minor worker (Camponotus)
The smallest-sized workers of Camponotus. The genus is polymorphic, and there is a range of worker sizes. The minor caste (or more precisely, subcaste) varies in size and shape, but is distinct from the major subcaste identified by its oversized head.
- monodomous
All ants in a colony inhabit a single nest.
- monogynous
A single reproductive queen present in a colony.
- monomorphic
All workers within the colony are approximately the same shape and size.