Genus Platythyrea (Ponerinae)

• Platythyrea Roger, 1863a: 172 . Type species: Pachycondyla punctata Smith, by subsequent designation of Bingham, 1903: 73.
• Eubothroponera Clark, J. 1930c: 8. Type species: Eubothroponera dentinodis Clark, by original designation. Synonymy: Brown, W.L. 1975: 6 .

• OVERVIEW.   This genus is found in tropical areas throughout the world. There are 8 Neotropical species, only one of which reaches the United States. Little is know about most species. They nest in soil, rotten wood, and hollow twigs in trees. Some species are specialized predators on termites, others specialize in adult beetles, and others may be general predators. They can inflict a severe sting.
• DISTRIBUTION.   Southern FL and southern TX.
• ZOOGEOGRAPHICAL REGIONS.  Worldwide except Palearctic region.


      
Photo of Platythyrea punctata (Smith) from Costa Rica, Puntarenas. Courtesy of Ant Web, U. of Calif. Davis


• RECOGNITION.   Frontal carinae well separated and subparallel posteriorly; anterior sections of the frontal lobes and the antennal insertions are widely separated by the broadly rounded or triangular posterior extension of the clypeus. Hind tibia with two apical spurs: one larger than the other both finely pectinate. Tarsal claw on mid and hind legs each with a submedian tooth. Dorsal surface of head and body without erect hairs. Body dull or feebly shining; bearing sparse, shallow punctures; entirely covered with very fine, appressed pubescence that gives the surface a pronounced grayish or silvery cast.
• SIMILAR GENERA.   The one Nearctic species is easily recognized. The two pectinate spurs on the hind leg immediately separate it from all other Nearctic ponerine genera.
• TRIBE.  Platythyreini.
• Literature Overview.   Brown, W.L. 1975 briefly covers the taxonomy and natural history of this genus.
• REVISIONS.   Brown, W.L. 1975: 4–11 (diagnosis w.q.m., key to species for Africa, Madagascar, Indo-Australia, and New World) .
• TAXONOMY.   Smith, M.R. 1943e: 280 (description of m.) .— Smith, M.R. 1947f: pl. 3, fig. 9 (description of w., figure (lateral view) of w.) .— Creighton, 1950a: 34–35, pl. 2, figs. 1–5 (figure (lateral view) of w.q. wing) .— Brown, W.L. 1952g: 4 (in key) .— Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1964b: 446 (larva) .— Brown, W.L. 1975: 7–11, 45–56 (description w.q.m., figure (lateral view of w.), key to world species) .— Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1976a: 41 (revised description of larva) .— Bolton, 1994: figs. 452, 453 (SEM (full face and lateral view) of w.) .—Shattuck, 1999: 198–199.—Bolton, 2003: 45, 172, 281.—Lattke, 2004: 34–38.
• MISCELLANEOUS.   Hölldobler, B. & Wilson, 1990: 161, 305, 559, 611 (colony census, prey) .

• punctata. Pachycondyla punctata Smith, F. 1858a: 108 (w.m.) . [Dominican Republic; BMNH] Wheeler, W.M. 1905c: 81 (l.) . Combination in Platythyrea: Roger, 1863a: 173. Note that Bolton, 1995b: 337 is incorrect in citing the description of a queen in 'Wheeler, W.M. 1905c: 81 (q.l.)'.
• pruinosa. Platythyrea pruinosa Mayr, G. 1870b: 962 (w.) . [Mexico] Forel, 1893j: 358 (m.) . Variety of punctata: Forel, 1901k: 335; Wheeler, W.M. 1917g: 457; Wheeler, W.M. 1923d: 3. Synonymy: Wheeler, W.M. 1908a: 123; Brown, W.L. 1975: 9 .
• cineracea. Platythyrea cineracea Forel, 1886b: xxxix (w.) . [Guatemala] Forel, 1899b: 4 (m.) . Variety of punctata: Forel, 1893j: 359; Forel, 1912d: 35. Synonymy: Brown, W.L. 1975: 9 .

• DISTRIBUTION. Southern FL and southern TX, south to W. Indies, Central Amer., and Brazil.
• TAXONOMY. Forel, 1893j: 358 (description w.q.) .— Mann, 1916: 403.— Smith, M.R. 1947f: pl. 3, fig. 9 (figure (lateral view) of w.) .— Creighton, 1950a: 34–35, pl. 2, figs. 1–5 (figure (lateral view) of w.q. wing) .— Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1952a: 119 (larva) .— Brown, W.L. 1975: 6, 9, 10, 48, 53–55, 91 (limits of this species not clear) .
• MISCELLANEOUS. Wheeler, W.M. 1905c: 80–81, figs. A–C (in Bahamas, figures of larva) .— Mann, 1920b: 404 (brief natural history) .— Smith, M.R. 1937: 824 (natural history in Puerto Rico) .— Brown, W.L. 1957e: 229 (in Mexico) .— Schilder, Heinze & Hölldobler, 1999: 150–158 (study of FL colonies, average size 60 workers, most colonies have no queens but reproduce by the egg laying of workers) .
• ALL REFERENCES
• PHOTOS.