Loboponera gen. n. and a review of the Afrotropical Plectroctena genus group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Introduction 1The tribe Ponerini 2The Plectroctena genus group 2Loboponera gen. n. 3List of species 4Key to species 4Synopsis of species 5PsalidomyrmexAndré 8List of species 8Key to species 8Synopsis of species 9Plectroctena F. Smith 10List of species 10Key to species 11Synopsis of species 12References 15The Afrotropical ponerine ant genus Loboponera is newly described. It contains 7 new species and one species previously regarded as a member of Pachycondyla F. Smith (L. nasica (Santschi) comb. n.). The relationships of Loboponera within the Plectroctena genus group and tribe Ponerini are discussed and apomorphy-based diagnoses are provided for all taxa. An identification key and descriptions are provided for the workers of Loboponera. Revised keys and taxonomic synopses are given for Psalidomyrmex (6 species) and Plectroctena (15 species); within the latter Pl. gabonensis is a new junior synonym of Pl. minor.