Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of Alberta: A key to species James R.N. Glasier1, John H. Acorn2, Scott E. Nielsen2, and Heather Proctor3
1 Corresponding author: Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G
| Abstract | Introduction | Materials | Discussion | Checklist | Glossary | Species Key | Acknowledgments | References | PDF (11MB) | Cite this Article |
Lateral Morphology of Myrmicinae | Lateral Morphology of Formicinae | Head Morphology
Glossary
Antenna: paired, segmented sensory appendages attached to the front of the head.
Antennal fossa: depressed area around the antennal socket.
Antennal socket: articulation of the antenna with the head.
Apex: tip, most distal point (plural= apices).
Apical club: antennae have an apical club when the distal (terminal) segments are enlarged relative to more basal segments.
Appressed setae: setae that lie against, or run almost parallel to, the cuticle of an ant.
Basal tooth: the basalmost tooth along the chewing margin of the mandible, closest to the anterior margin of the clypeus.
Carinate: having multiple carinae (ridges).
Clavate setae: setae that are expanded at their apices.
Clypeus: the anterior median sclerite of an ant head. The anterior margin of the clypeus forms the anterior margin of the head in frontal view.
Clypeal fossa: depression near the posterior margin of the clypeus, formed from the lateral “wings” or sides of the clypeus.
Concolourous: head, mesosoma and gaster are all the same colour.
Decumbent setae: setae that stand at an angle of between 10-40 degrees from the cuticle of ant.
Erect setae: setae which stand at higher than a 40 degree angle from the cuticle of ant.
Flexor surfaces: the surfaces of the tibia and femur that can touch each other when the leg bends.
Frontal carinae: a pair of parallel or almost parallel ridges, medial to the antennal sockets, originating directly posterior to the clypeus on the head of an ant.
Frontal lobes: lobes formed when frontal carinae extend laterally over the antennal fossae.
Frontal triangle: a triangular area dorsal to the clypeus and between the frontal carina.
Full face view: anterior view in which the midpoints of the occipital margin, lateral margin, and clypeus are in the same focal plane.
Funiculus: the apical segments of antenna, after the first basal segment.
Gaster: terminal four or five segments of the abdomen, posterior to the petiole and/or postpetiole.
Gena: the area of the head between the compound eye and the mandible.
Head length: measured from the anterior midline of the clypeus to the posterior midline of the occipital margin; does not include the mandibles.
Infuscated: darkened, with a blackish tinge.
Inquiline: living in another ant’s nest; either commensally or parasitically.
Major: the larger castes of an ant species, excluding the queen.
Mesosomal profile: dorsal profile of the mesosoma, as seen in lateral view.
Mesosoma: the middle of the three main body parts of an ant. Includes the thorax and the propodeum.
Mesonotum: dorsal tergite of the mesothorax.
Metasternum: the posteroventral sclerite of the propodeum.
Metanotal region: the area where mesonotum and propodeum meet, representing the vestiges of a tergite called the metanotum.
Microreticulate: with a network of very fine ridges.
Minor: the smaller castes of an ant species.
Monomorphic: having one size and/or morphological caste.
Occipital margin: the posterior margin of the head.
Peduncle: an anteriorly elongated narrowing of the petiole.
Petiole: the anterior segment (and sometimes the only segment) of the ant waist, consisting of abdominal segment 2.
Polymorphic: having multiple sizes and/or morphological castes.
Postpetiole: the posterior segment (not present in all ant species) of the ant waist, consisting of abdominal segment 3.
Profemora: the femora of the anterior pair of legs.
Pronotum: the dorsal sclerite of the prothorax.
Propodeal spines: spines on the dorsum of the propodeum.
Propodeum: the first abdominal segment, fused to the thorax. Forms part of the mesosoma.
Prothorax: the first thoracic segment.
Psammophore: an array of long setae, forming a basket, on the ventral surface of the head.
Pubescence: short fine setae which are appressed along the cuticle.
Punctate: with numerous fine pits.
Rugae: wrinkle-like ridges, often in parallel.
Scape: elongate basal segment of antenna.
Sclerite: an integumental plate of the exoskeleton.
Striae: impressed lines.
Tergite: dorsal sclerite of a segment.
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