Taxonomic study on the queens of the Japanese ponerine genera, with a redescription of Ectomomyrmex horni restituted as a valid species (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Abstract: Queen ants of the Japanese ponerine genera are described, with the first key to the Japanese genera based on the queen caste. Important queen characters are enumerated and caste differences are discussed for each genus. Physical and behavioral aspects of functional queens (alate/dealate queen, ergatoid, and gamergate) in the Japanese ponerines are briefly discussed. Ectomomyrmex horni (Forel, 1913), stat. restit., is resurrected from synonymy with Ectomomyrmex javanus Mayr, 1867. A redes­cription of E. horni is presented based on Japanese and Taiwanese specimens.

Key words: Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Ponerinae, ant, caste, genus character, male, queen, redescription, worker, Japan, Taiwan