A generic revision of the world Myrmicinae related to Solenopsis and Pheidologeton (Hymenoptera : Formicidae)

Abstract

Current classifications of subfamily Myrmicinae stem from the work of Emery, most recently formulated in 1922. With the exception of a few well-defined tribes, the remainder (and bulk) of the Myrmicinae is composed of alarge group of genera exhibiting close phyletic relationships and many bewildering series of convergences. These genera previously have not been clearly defined and classified due to the too-frequent use of superficial habitus characters. The present paper examines new, as well as old disused, taxonomic characters, especially meristic ones, and applies these to a critical analysis of tribes Solenopsidini and Pheidologetini of authors. The old conventional tribal groupings prove to have little utility, and pending a re-examination of the remainder of the Myrmicinae, the use of informal genus groups is recommended. Replacing the two traditional tribes are four genus groups, related respectively to Monomorium, Megalomyrmex, Solenopsis, and Pheidologeton, and a number of genera are excluded from these groups. All the genera are redefined with extensive synonymies. All the currently unchallenged species-level names in these genera are listed with bibliographic citations, and a brief review is given of the present status of larval taxonomy.