Anochetus Mayr

Yoshimura, M. & Fisher, B. L., 2007, A revision of male ants of the Malagasy region (Hymenoptera: Formicidae): Key to subfamilies and treatment of the genera of Ponerinae., Zootaxa 1654, pp. 21-40 : 31

Anochetus Mayr , 1861

(Fig. 5)

All males winged. Antennal scrobe absent. Mandible reduced. Basal cavity of the mandible extending to its front face, visible in full-face view. Notauli absent. Mesepimeron bearing distinct posterodorsal (epimeral) lobe that covers mesothoracic spiracle and forms a seemingly isolated plate. In most cases, each dorsolateral corner of petiole in anterior view with distinct projection. Dorsal margin of petiole, in anterior view, usually showing two apices. Apical margin of abdominal tergum VIII not projecting into sharp spine. Jugal lobe of hind wing present. Each middle and hind tibia with two spurs. Claws simple, not multidentate or pectinate.

Remarks. Five species are recognized in this region (B.L. Fisher and M.A. Smith, unpublished); four were examined in the present study. Species known from the Malagasy region have a distinct spine or tooth on each dorsolateral petiolar margin, and are easily separated from other genera by this character. However, males of a species (morphospecies A. blf-pat ) from Aldabra do not have lateral teeth on the petiole. In addition, the male of a species (morphospecies A. blf-goo ) from Madagascar is not yet known; given the morphology of workers, males might also lack lateral teeth on the petiole.

Males in the genus Anochetus are similar to those in Odontomachus and Pachycondyla , but can be separated from them by a combination of two characters: 1) absence of terminal spine of abdominal tergum VIII; and 2) absence of notauli on the mesoscutum.