Revision of the African Ants of the Bothroponera talpa Species Complex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Ponerinae)

Abstract

ABSTRACT The B. talpa species complex includes 8 valid species and 4 synonyms, including: Bothroponera cribrata, B. fugax, B. pachyderma (= B. pachyderma var. attenata syn. nov., = B. pachyderma var. postsquamosa syn. nov., = B. pachyderma var. funerea syn. nov.), B. rubescens, B. sanguinea, B. sculpturata (= B. mlanjiensis syn. nov.), B. talpa (= Psalidomyrmyx clavicornis) and B. zumpti. These species share similar characters such as the shape of the clypeus, the relative length of the antennal scape, mandibular shape and sculpture. The anterior medial margin of the clypeus is convex or straight with a slightly concave anterior border. The scape does not reach or barely reaches the posterior lateral corner of the head. The mandibles are triangular with striae and 6–7 teeth. There is no metatibial gland on the distal anterior surface of the posterior tibia. Diagnoses, descriptions, comparisons, illustrations, distributions, photographs and other ecological and biological information are provided. A taxonomic key is provided for the worker caste. Key words: Afrotropical, ants, Formicidae, biodiversity