Author:
Christian 0. DIETRICH


Year:
1995


Title:
Funktionsmorphologische Betrachtung der Mandibeln von Polyergus rufescens (LATREILLE, 1798) und Strongylognathus MAYR, 1853 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)


Journal:
Myrmecologische Nachrichten


Volume:
1


Pages:
33-37


Keywords:


Abstract:
In literature about the mandible dentation of Polyergus rufescens incorrect formulations in the sense of "reduced" have become common. Indeed the denticles have characteristics which should be seen as autapomorphics and play an essential role in piercing the enemy caput to destroy the central nervous system. In contrary the Strongylognathus which it is often compared to, is toothless but for a preapical denticle. It doesn't pierce the caput like P. rufescens as assumed in textbooks but penetrates with it's mandible through the mouth to the brain. The much strained convergence of both taxa is put into question.

Publisher:
Österreichische Gesellschaft für Entomofaunistik

ISSN:
1994-4136