Proceratium itoi clade

Definition.

Workers of this clade can be separated from all other Proceratium species by the combination of abdominal sternum IV protruding over the posterior end of abdominal sternum III, petiolar node nodiform, and body sculpture densely granulate to punctate (definition follows Baroni Urbani and de Andrade 2003).

Comments.

This clade includes seven species and is restricted to east and southeast Asia. All species except P. malesianum de Andrade, 2003 and P. williamsi Mathew & Tiwari, 2000 occur in China. The species are morphologically similar, particularly in relative body proportions and indices, but can be safely separated with the identification key presented above. More detailed accounts on species delimitation and biology are reported at the species accounts below.