Meeting Abstract
The morphology and reproductive physiology of male ants remain largely unstudied yet offer valuable insight into the phylogeny, diversity, and biology of the family Formicidae. We surveyed the morphological diversity of male ants in the subfamily Formicinae found within the Malagasy region. Generic characteristics of the eight extant genera of Madagascar (Brachymyrmex, Camponotus, Lepisiota, Nylanderia, Paratrechina, Paraparatrechina, Plagiolepis, and Tapinolepis) and the genus Anoplolepis of Seychelles were compared using multiple stage dissection and Leica imaging systems. Based on the morphology of the mouthparts and genitalia a dichotomous key was established to distinguish between genera. Characteristics such as the mandible shape, masticatory margin, vosella shape, and features of the aedeagus provide diagnoses for each genus. Further, we offer a general comparison between the tribes Plagiolepidini and Camponotini. We also identify characteristics such as multiple mandibular teeth and a suture between the basimere and paramere previously thought to be unique to the family Dolichoderinae. This study contributes to an ongoing male-based comparative study of major ant lineages of the Malagasy region. An improved understanding of male morphology and identification will facilitate new studies in ant reproductive biology and evolution. In turn, such additional characters, in conjunction with ongoing molecular studies, will contribute important features to delimit species and establish phylogenetic relationships.
