Baracidris

Baracidris Bolton, 1981:252 (w). Type species: Baracidris meketra Bolton (by original designation). Bolton, 1995:22.

The genus Baracidris includes three small species (one undescribed) which are litter inhabitants in Central and Western Africa. Although the genus is easily isolated from the other African myrmicines, this is a more difficult task regarding the World fauna. The combination of characters (median portion of the clypeus as narrow fringe, antennae 12 segmented with club 2 segmented, reduced palps, metapleural lobes larger than in Adelomyrmex , petiole and postpetiole subcylindric) separates this genus from all other myrmicines, although currently we lack synapomorphic features for Baracidris . We maintain this genus primarily upon its geographical distribution.

Key to species (workers). Modified from Bolton, 1981:255

1 Body without standing pilosity and with appressed pubescence; mesosoma dorsally with punctures; HW less than 0.46 mm ........................................................ 2

- Body with standing pilosity on head, petiole and postpetiole, less on mesosoma, without appressed pubescence; promesonotum dorsally with a large central area smooth and shining, devoid of punctures; HW> 0.46 mm (Kenya, Uganda) ......... .......................................................................................................... B. pilosasp.n.

2(1) Central portion of anterior clypeal margin not produced into a narrow truncated lobe; vertexal margin in full face view indented or concave medially (Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria) ........................................................................... B. meketra Bolton

- Central portion of anterior clypeal margin produced into a narrow truncated lobe; vertexal margin in full face view not indented or concave medially (Gabon) ........ .......................................................................................................... B. sitra Bolton

Basal border of mandibles unarmed.

Maxillary palp 2 - segmented.

Median strip of clypeus raised into a narrow ridge; anterior clypeal margin unmodified or with a simple lobe.

Hairs absent from dorsal surfaces of head and body. Postpetiole short-cylindrical in dorsal view, with a large truncated ventral process. Petiole low in profile.

Metapleural lobes very large and continuous with the propodeal teeth above. Range: West & Central Africa.

Baracidris is a genus of ants in the subfamily Myrmicinae. The genus is known from central and western Africa.

Baracidris (лат.) — род муравьёв трибы Adelomyrmecini из подсемейства Myrmicinae (Formicidae).