1978] 
Kugler — Myrmicine Sting Apparatus 
259 
Figures 5-6. Sting and furcula of Oxyopomyrmex tuneticus. Fig. 5, O. tuneti- 
cus, side view. Fig. 6, O. tuneticus var. thoracicus, ventral view. 
Triangular plate: In O. tuneticus body and ventroapical process 
very slender and distinct; in O. t. var. thoracicus body wider dorsad 
and merging more with ventroapical process. In both specimens, 
body evenly tapered to ramus; neither dorsal nor medial tubercle 
present. 
Lancet: Long, weak, and spatulate distally, with broadly rounded 
apex; about twice as deep as end of sting shaft. One large lancet 
valve per lancet. 
Sting: (Figs. 5, 6) Sting bulb large with weak basal ridge and 
distinct anterolateral processes. Valve chamber well developed, 
clearly distinguishable from sting bulb and sting shaft in profile and 
in ventral view; internal apophysis long. Sting shaft short, very 
slender and weak; no dorsal flange. Index of reduction 21.9 for O. 
tuneticus, 20.4 for O. t. var. thoracicus. 
Furcula: (Figs. 5, 6) Slender arch, uniform in diameter; no dorsal 
arm. 
Discussion 
The sting apparatus of Oxyopomyrmex tuneticus and O. t. var. 
thoracicus are very similar to those of Messor and Aphaenogaster. 
The large dorsal notch and thin anterior apodeme of the spiracular 
