Phenetic affinities of males of the army ant genus Dorylus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Dorylinae)

Abstract

Multivariate analyses of males of 25 species of the Old World army ant genus Dorylus were used to investigate taxonomic structure inherent in the morphological data gathered. Results were compared both with the current subgeneric classification of this genus and with results from a similar study on the major workers. Males are phenetically more divergent than major workers. The subgenera Rhogmus, Alaopone, and Typhlopone appear deserving of continued individual status, but species of Anomma and Dorylus (s.s.) form one diverse taxon. Although the single species of Dichthadia is relatively distinctive in this study, a conservative classification would place it with species of Dorylus (s.s.).