Subfamily Ponerinae

The world fauna of Ponerinae has about 2000 species and subspecies placed in 43 genera (Shattuck, 1992 179). This group is most abundant and diverse in tropical regions. Most Nearctic ponerines are northern extensions of Neotropical species, but there are also a few tramp species that have been introduced from other parts of the world by commerce.

Recognition

• Similar Subfamilies

Members of subfamilies Formicinae and Dolichoderinae also have a pedicel of 1 segment but lack the conspicuous constriction between first and second gastric segments.

Miscellaneous

• Very primitive group:
• Structure - worker approaches female in size, no differentiation in worker caste.
• Habit - lack of specialization, uniformly carnivorous and predacious;  regurgitation plays a much smaller role than higher subfamilies.
• Nest founding only partly claustral.
• Small colonies of a few hundred.  Nest in soil or rotting wood.
• Colony formation in part by budding.

Distribution and Diversity

Primarily a tropical subfamily.  Most Nearctic species are northern extensions of Neotropical taxa or have been introduced.

Generally more abundant along Gulf of Mexico and Mexican border.

Southeastern US: 8 genera, 15 species ?????

Worldwide: 57 genera, 530 species [Wheeler, 1972].

Description

• Clypeus usually broad from front to back so that the antennal sockets are well back from the anterior margin of the head.
• Frontal carinae usually expanded laterally forming frontal lobes that partially to entirely conceal the antennal sockets in full face view.
• Eye usually present; may be small.
• Antenna with 6-12 segments.
• Promesonotal suture usually present.
• Metapleural gland orifice in lower posterior corner of metapleuron; opening laterally or posteriorly; the orifice not concealed by a cuticular flange or flap.
• Propodeal lobes usually present.
• The mesosoma is attached to the gaster by a single segment, the petiole.
• The gaster usually has a slight but distinct constriction between the first and second segments. Exceptions:
  • In some cases (genus Discothyrea) the gaster is highly modified and the impression is weak or absent, but in these the gaster is strongly arched and the tip of the gaster is directed forward and downward.
  • In Anochetus and Odontomachus the gaster is smooth and uniform, but the mandibles are long and straight and they are inserted in the middle of the anterior margin of the head.
• Gastral spiracles 3-5 concealed by posterior margins of preceding tergite, not visible without distension of gaster (spiracle on gastral tergite 3 may be very close to level of posterior margin of gastral tergite 2, and thus may become visible with only slight distension).
• Pygidium large, usually simple. The upper surface of the tip of the gaster (the pygidium) is rounded and lacks a row of spines or teeth on its outer and trailing edge.
• The sting is present although sometimes retracted and difficult to see.

Phylogeny

Ponerinae is a large and highly diverse group. It has traditionally been characterized by the fusion of the tergite and sternite of abdominal segment IV (= gastral segment II). However, the picture is greatly complicated by the recent discovery of genus Adetomyrma (Ward, 1994) with usfused slcerites in abdominal segment IV. Our ideas of ponerine phylogeny (and, indeed, that of all ants) may change greatly in the coming year.

Classification characteristics:

• Pronotum and mesonotum unfused (except in Discothyrea, some Gnamptogenys, Probolomyrmex, Proceratium, and Rhytidoponera).
• Fusion of tergite and sternite in abdominal segments III and IV.
• Dorsal stridulatory organ between abdominal segments II and IV present or absent.
• Metacoxal cavities open except for Discothyrea, Probolomyrmex, and Harpegnathos.

Southeastern Genera

Quick Guide to Southeastern Genera

Petiolar node large, low, and broadly attached to gaster.  Mandibles short and narrow with 3 apical teeth and closing tightly around clypeus.  Found in south Florida.   Prionopelta