Morphology of the male genitalia of Brachymyrmex and their implications in the Formicinae phylogeny

Abstract

The male genitalia of Brachymyrmex are examined and terminology clarified. We document two conformation groups based on the lateral carina, conformation 1 has a complete lateral carina that reaches the apex of the valviceps and in conformation 2 the lateral carina is broken with the apical end projected dorsally. Previously documented species are evaluated in the context of this new information. We offer support for the movement of Brachymyrmex into the resurrected tribe Myrmelachistini based on the morphology of the penisvalvae, and offer definitive methods of assigning unknown specimens to this genus. This study provides histological methodologies for the preparation, differentiation, and permanent storage of minute ant genitalia structures and the associated musculature.

Molecular and morphological recognition of species boundaries in the neglected ant genus Brachymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae): toward a taxonomic revision

“…More recently, Quirán and collaborators (Quirán et al 2004;Quirán 2005Quirán , 2007 reported on the Brachymyrmex species from Argentina, and Ortiz and Fernández (2014) reviewed the species with tumuliform metathoracic spiracles. Additionally, Wilson et al (2016) documented the male genitalia of Brachymyrmex. Currently 44 species with 17 subspecies and varieties are attributed to the genus Brachymyrmex more accessible for future research; and 4) examining the significance of our morphological identification system and the monophyly of the genus in light of molecular evidence.…”

Maritime trap-jaw ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Ponerinae) of the Indo-Australian region – redescription of Odontomachus malignus Smith and description of a related new species from Singapore, including first descriptions of males

“…The functional significance of this autapomorphy remains unknown. The valvura and its associated muscles have been hypothesised to be involved in controlling the movement of the valviceps apex (Boudinot 2013, Wilson et al 2016). In contrast, the dorsolateral carina of the valviceps is not associated with any muscles, and thus probably does not serve a direct mechanical function.…”