Morphology of External Genitalia in the Genus <i>Acanthoponera</i> Mayr, with Redescription of <i>A. mucronata</i> (Roger) Male (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Ectatomminae)

In this study, using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and optical microscopy, we give a detailed description of the <i>Acanthoponera mucronata</i> male, supplementing the former male-based genus diagnoses. In particular, we described for the first time the following characters: the mor...

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Main Authors: Stefano Cantone, Andrea Di Giulio
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Insects
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/4/436
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author Stefano Cantone
Andrea Di Giulio
author_facet Stefano Cantone
Andrea Di Giulio
author_sort Stefano Cantone
collection DOAJ
description In this study, using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and optical microscopy, we give a detailed description of the <i>Acanthoponera mucronata</i> male, supplementing the former male-based genus diagnoses. In particular, we described for the first time the following characters: the morphology of the external genitalia, the peculiar antennal cleaning and the absence of the metapleural gland orifice. In addition, we show the pretarsal claws and the ventral excavation in the gaster that represent diagnostic male features of all <i>Acanthoponera</i> species, never imaged before. The use of modern taxonomic standards is particularly important in order to make these data available to future comparative analyses.
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series Insects
spelling doaj-art-64e911e02f9f4761807d2b87f8dd5bd62025-08-20T02:18:16ZengMDPI AGInsects2075-44502025-04-0116443610.3390/insects16040436Morphology of External Genitalia in the Genus <i>Acanthoponera</i> Mayr, with Redescription of <i>A. mucronata</i> (Roger) Male (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Ectatomminae)Stefano Cantone0Andrea Di Giulio1Department of Science, University ‘Roma Tre’, 00146 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Science, University ‘Roma Tre’, 00146 Rome, ItalyIn this study, using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and optical microscopy, we give a detailed description of the <i>Acanthoponera mucronata</i> male, supplementing the former male-based genus diagnoses. In particular, we described for the first time the following characters: the morphology of the external genitalia, the peculiar antennal cleaning and the absence of the metapleural gland orifice. In addition, we show the pretarsal claws and the ventral excavation in the gaster that represent diagnostic male features of all <i>Acanthoponera</i> species, never imaged before. The use of modern taxonomic standards is particularly important in order to make these data available to future comparative analyses.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/4/436antennal cleaningmale antsSEMvolsella sensoriumwinged ants
spellingShingle Stefano Cantone
Andrea Di Giulio
Morphology of External Genitalia in the Genus <i>Acanthoponera</i> Mayr, with Redescription of <i>A. mucronata</i> (Roger) Male (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Ectatomminae)
Insects
antennal cleaning
male ants
SEM
volsella sensorium
winged ants
title Morphology of External Genitalia in the Genus <i>Acanthoponera</i> Mayr, with Redescription of <i>A. mucronata</i> (Roger) Male (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Ectatomminae)
title_full Morphology of External Genitalia in the Genus <i>Acanthoponera</i> Mayr, with Redescription of <i>A. mucronata</i> (Roger) Male (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Ectatomminae)
title_fullStr Morphology of External Genitalia in the Genus <i>Acanthoponera</i> Mayr, with Redescription of <i>A. mucronata</i> (Roger) Male (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Ectatomminae)
title_full_unstemmed Morphology of External Genitalia in the Genus <i>Acanthoponera</i> Mayr, with Redescription of <i>A. mucronata</i> (Roger) Male (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Ectatomminae)
title_short Morphology of External Genitalia in the Genus <i>Acanthoponera</i> Mayr, with Redescription of <i>A. mucronata</i> (Roger) Male (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Ectatomminae)
title_sort morphology of external genitalia in the genus i acanthoponera i mayr with redescription of i a mucronata i roger male hymenoptera formicidae ectatomminae
topic antennal cleaning
male ants
SEM
volsella sensorium
winged ants
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/4/436
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