Key to the Ectatomminae Genera

1. Cephalic median longitudinal carina present, extending from the anterior clypeal margin to the vertex (Fig. 4A). Metapleural gland orifice simple, directed posteriorly or laterally (tribe Heteroponerini) .................................................................. 2

- Cephalic median longitudinal carina absent or not extending from the anterior clypeal margin to the vertex (Fig. 4B, C). Metapleural gland orifice forming an oblique curved slit bounded below by a convex rim of cuticule that directs the orifice dorsally to posterodorsally (tribe Ectatommini) ..................................................................................... 5

2(1). Median portion of clypeus modified, raised as a short, blunt triangular point projecting from the antennal insertions to the mandible. Antennal scrobe wide and very deep (exclusively Paleartic) (known only by queens) ..................... Aulacopone

- Median portion of clypeus not raised, not or only to a small extent covering the mandible. Antennal scrobe deep to absent ............................................................................................ 3

3(2). Tarsal claws with a prominent basal lobe and a long preapical tooth. Propodeum armed with prominent spines (exclusively Neotropical).................................................. Acanthoponera

- Tarsal claws simple, without a prominent basal lobe or preapical tooth. Propodeum generally angled or with small rhomboidal teeth at most .................................................... 4

4(3). In frontal view, mandible subfalcate, with around four teeth on the masticatory margin. Antennal scrobe absent. Eye drastically reduced, without conspicuous limits between ommatidia (exclusively Neotropical) ................................ Boltonia

- In frontal view, mandible subtriangular, with six to eight teeth on the masticatory margin. Antennal scrobe shallowly to deeply impressed. Eye well-developed, with clear limits between ommatidia (Neotropical and Australian) ..................... ........................................................................ Heteroponera

5(1). Pronotum usually with 2 or 3 tubercles. Mesonotum prominent and clearly differentiated from propodeum, separated by a deep transverse suture (Fig. 5A). Apex of anterior tibia in outer lateral view with a seta close to the spur base (exclusively Neotropical) .............................................. Ectatomma

- Pronotum unarmed and without tubercles. Mesonotum not prominent, forming a continuous profile with the propodeum (Fig. 5B). Apex of anterior tibia in outer lateral view without a seta close to the spur base; if seta present, then species distribution is exclusively Australasian ....................................... 6

6(5). In dorsal view, pronotum and mesonotum always separated by a distinct suture, so that each tergite forms a separate plate (Fig. 6A). Dorsum of posterior coxa never with a lobe or spine. Petiolar sternite tightly attached but never fused to the tergite (exclusively Australasian) ................... Rhytidoponera

- In dorsal view, pronotum and mesonotum usually continuous or separated by a discrete groove (Fig. 6B); if a well-impressed promesonotal suture is present (as in Holcoponera and Typhlomyrmex), then the dorsum of posterior coxa frequently with a lobe or spine. Petiolar sternite fused with tergite over its entire length ........................................................................ 7

7(6). Frontal lobes strongly expanded, entirely covering the antennal insertions (Fig. 7A). Second gastral (IV abdominal) sternite strongly reduced in relation to the tergite; dorsal profile of gaster extremely convex, so that the gaster is usually strongly directed ventrally and anterad (Fig. 8A). Exclusively Neotropical. .............................................................. Alfaria

- Frontal lobes less developed, only partially covering the antennal insertions (Fig. 7B). Second gastral (IV abdominal) sternite not strongly reduced in relation to the tergite; dorsal profile of gaster gently convex, so that the apex of gaster is directed ventrally or posteriorly (Fig. 8B). .......................... 8

8(7). Promesonotal suture feebly impressed to absent, never interrupting dorsal mesosomal sculpture (Fig. 9A, B) ..........9

- Promesonotal suture well marked, totally interrupting dorsal mesosomal sculpture (Fig. 9C) .......................................... 11

9(8). Strictly Indomalayan species .......................... Stictoponera

- Strictly Neotropical species ........................................... 10

10(9). Propodeum rarely armed with denticles or spines. Metacoxal teeth present or absent. Second gastric segment (IV abdominal) relatively less curved (Fig. 10A) ......... Gnamptogenys

- Propodeum usuallyarmed with denticlesor spines.Metacoxal teeth generally present. Second gastric segment (IV abdominal) relatively more curved (Fig. 10B) ........... Poneracantha

11(8). Eye absent or reduced. Propodeal spiracle separated from posterior face of propodeum by a distance longer than its diameter (Fig. 11A). Metacoxal dorsum unarmed or at most with a small lobe or denticle ...................... Typhlomyrmex

- Eye well developed to reduced. Propodeal spiracle close to posterior face of propodeum (Fig. 11B). Metacoxal dorsum always with a denticle or lobe ....................... Holcoponera