Synopsis of Ant Genus Proceratium Roger, 1863 from China (Hymenoptera, Formicidae), with Description of Seven New Species †
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Key Laboratory of Ecology of Rare and Endangered Species and Environmental Protection (Guangxi Normal University), Ministry of Education, Guilin 541004, China
2
Guangxi Key Laboratory of Rare and Endangered Animal Ecology, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541004, China
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
†
urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:E3249182-A18A-4A78-8AFD-289499DA0B29; urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:E018F8FE-8417-4DA7-BC0D-2A305A9E0925; urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:A69D4DF7-C046-4A86-B54C-F7F602A9A76E; urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:06512620-57ED-4B17-B5D3-B266BD75477F; urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:F4BA392D-35BE-4D36-856D-316B91FFE6B7; urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:E1E02369-3382-4072-A810-D8B9CC1C06F6; urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:EDB37856-7E09-4EBA-8F0A-A4AA9EEA48DE; urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:3C22F275-8527-4BA3-BDB1-C37E5A315507.
Insects 2025, 16(10), 1060; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16101060
Submission received: 13 August 2025
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Revised: 24 September 2025
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Accepted: 25 September 2025
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Published: 17 October 2025
(This article belongs to the Section Insect Systematics, Phylogeny and Evolution)
Simple Summary
This study presents a taxonomic synopsis of the ant genus Proceratium Roger, 1863 in China, reviewing seven known species (P. bruelheidei Staab, Xu & Hita Garcia, 2018; P. itoi Eguchi, Yoshimura & Yamane, 2006; P. japonicum Santschi, 1937; P. kepingmai Staab, Xu & Hita Garcia, 2018; P. longmenense Xu, 2006; P. shohei Staab, Xu & Hita Garcia, 2018; and P. zhaoi Xu, 2000) while removing P. longigaster Karavaiev, 1935 from the Chinese fauna. Furthermore, we describe seven new species (P. crassopetiolum sp. nov., P. digitospinum sp. nov., P. planodorsum sp. nov., P. quandratinodum sp. nov., P. rugiceps sp. nov., P. shanyii sp. nov., and P. soinosubum sp. nov.) and provide an illustrated identification key to Chinese Proceratium species. These findings significantly expand our understanding of Proceratium diversity in China, resolve taxonomic uncertainties, and establish a foundation for future research on this cryptobiotic genus.
Abstract
The genus Proceratium comprises rare but ecologically significant cryptobiotic predators of temperate and tropical forest litter. The group is known for its abdomen which can curl dorsally >90° relative to the body axis. Proceratium includes 130 described species worldwide. In China, seven species have been recorded, yet recent surveys repeatedly reveal morphologically distinctive undescribed taxa, indicating a still-underestimated diversity of Proceratium. In this study, seven known Chinese species of the ant genus Proceratium Roger, 1863 are reviewed: P. bruelheidei, P. itoi, P. japonicum, P. kepingmai, P. longmenense, P. shohei and P. zhaoi. The species P. longigaster is removed from the ant fauna of China. Additionally, seven new species are described: P. crassopetiolum sp. nov., P. digitospinum sp. nov., P. planodorsum sp. nov., P. quandratinodum sp. nov., P. rugiceps sp. nov., P. shanyii sp. nov., and P. spinosubum sp. nov. An illustrated key to Chinese species based on workers is also provided.
Keywords:
taxonomy; Proceratiinae; key; new species; China
