Emendation of Heteromyrmex Zhang, 1989 and Tylolasius Zhang, 1989 (Hymenoptera, Formicoidae) from the Miocene Shanwang Basin,Shandong Province, China
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    Abstract:

    In 1989 two genera and species Heteromyrmex atopogaster and Tylolasius injlotus, collected from the Miocene Shanwang Formation (N2s) in the Shanwang basin, Shandong Province, China, were established by Zhang J. F. and published in"Fossil insects from Shanwang, Shandong, China"(p. 271 - 272;295~296).(1) Heteromyrmex Zhang, 1989 was established according to the large spheroidal first abdominal segment and to the cylindrical second, third and fourth abdominal segments. Zhang considered that the second abdominal segment is composed of the anterior and posterior parts, with the anterior part stretching upward from the center of the first tergite and the posterior part curved downward. This looks like a very peculiar segment. Af- ter thorough examination to the above generic features, it is regretted that these generic features do not accord with the following facts (fig. 1~4) : (1) Zhang's anterior part of the second abdominal segment is actually a pedal femur, which dropped and preserved at the lateral side of the abdomen. (2) Zhang's posterior part of the second abdominal segment is only the third tergite of the abdomen; Zhang's second, third, fourth abdominal segments are only tergites, not representing the whole abdominal segments. However the ant's abdomen never show the spheroidal first segment and the cylindrical second, third and fourth segments. Similarly, the second abdominal segment cannot be subdivided into the anterior and posterior parts. At any rate, the ant can never present such an abdomen as shown by Zhang in the history of the ant development. This particular abdomen will remain a unique example in the morphology of the ant. (3) Zhang considers that the new genus has two petioles, thus assigned to the subfamily Myrmicinae. Actually it has only one petiole, so taxonomically it should be transferred from the subfamily Myrmicinae to subfamily Formicinae.(2) Tylolasius Zhang, 1989 was established according to the large antennal fossa and the large and strongly convex compound eyes. As these are features common in the ants, they cannot serve as sure evidence for the establishment of a new genus. Besides, the author's have observed other generic features such as: (1) clypeus which is short, wide, rectangular, but not reaching both sides of the check; (2) mesonotum large and stongly convex; (3) frontal region not separated by the frontal suture. But these features appear within the limits of the genus Lasius, Thus the taxonomic position of Zhang's new genera do not exist and their species should be transferred to the genus Lasius.

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HONG Youchong, WU Jian, REN Dong Beijing Museum of Natural History, Beijing,, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing, National Geological Museum of China, Beijing,.2001. Emendation of Heteromyrmex Zhang, 1989 and Tylolasius Zhang, 1989 (Hymenoptera, Formicoidae) from the Miocene Shanwang Basin, Shandong Province, China[J]. Geological Review,47(4):345-349.

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