Quantitative Studies on Major Workers of the Ant Genus Dorylus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Dorylinae)

Abstract

Quantitative studies of the major workers of the Old World army ant genus Dorylus were undertaken to elucidate the underlying taxonomic structure of the morphological data gathered. This taxonomic structure was then compared to the existing 6 subgenera in which the species of Dorylus are currently classified. Although the status of the subgenera Dichthadia and Typhlopone remains unclear, the subgenera Alaopone and Rhogmus are deserving of continued individual status. Members of the subgenera Dorylus and Anomma form a single, diverse, but continuous taxon with species of the emeryi group connecting the morphological extremes. A formal taxonomic decision regarding the status of the 6 subgenera is not offered, but future decisions must recognize that these quantitative studies yield only 4 integral species clusters among major workers of Dorylus species: these correspond to the subgenera Rhogmus, Alaopone, Typhlopone, and Dorylus (s.s.).